Pregnancy Rhinitis and Quality of Life: A Retrospective Controlled Comparison of Intranasal Corticosteroid, Short-Term Nasal Decongestant, Saline Irrigation, and Standard Care

Mete Hakan Karalok; Mustafa İbas; Mehmet Nuri Elgörmüş; Oznur Dundar Akın

doi:10.65396/ejra.2044250

Pregnancy Rhinitis and Quality of Life: A Retrospective Controlled Comparison of Intranasal Corticosteroid, Short-Term Nasal Decongestant, Saline Irrigation, and Standard Care

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of intranasal corticosteroid therapy, short-term topical nasal decongestant treatment, isotonic saline irrigation, and standard supportive care on disease-related quality of life, nasal symptoms, and objective measures of nasal airflow in pregnant women with pregnancy rhinitis. Methods: This retrospective controlled study included 200 pregnant women with pregnancy rhinitis, equally allocated to four groups based on documented management: intranasal corticosteroid, topical nasal decongestant, isotonic saline irrigation, and standard-care control (n=50 each). We assessed outcomes at baseline and during follow-up, with the primary endpoint at Day 28. The primary outcome was change in the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). Secondary outcomes included the nasal obstruction visual analog scale (VAS), Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), mouth-breathing and sleep-related symptoms, and treatment-related adverse events. Results: Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable across the four groups. At Day 28, mean SNOT-22 score reductions were 22.3 ± 5.2 with intranasal corticosteroid, 14.2 ± 4.0 with topical nasal decongestant, 16.8 ± 4.0 with saline irrigation, and 6.6 ± 3.3 with standard care (p<0.001). Corresponding reductions in nasal obstruction VAS were 4.0 ± 0.8, 2.4 ± 0.5, 2.7 ± 0.6, and 1.1 ± 0.5, respectively (p<0.001). PNIF increased by 33.9 ± 6.5, 19.7 ± 6.9, 22.6 ± 7.4, and 9.1 ± 6.4 L/min, respectively (p<0.001). Intranasal corticosteroid therapy provided the greatest sustained improvement, whereas topical decongestants produced a more rapid but less durable response. Saline irrigation provided moderate symptomatic and objective improvement without pharmacological exposure. Treatment-related adverse events were predominantly mild, and no serious treatment-related adverse events were observed. Conclusion: Intranasal corticosteroid therapy was associated with the greatest sustained improvement in quality of life, nasal obstruction, and objective nasal airflow in pregnancy rhinitis. Short-term topical nasal decongestants provided rapid but less durable relief, whereas isotonic saline irrigation offered meaningful improvement without pharmacologic exposure. These findings support an individualized approach to pregnancy rhinitis based on symptom severity, desired onset and duration of relief, and considerations regarding medication use during pregnancy.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Otorhinolaryngology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mete Hakan Karalok
Türkiye

Mustafa İbas ^*
Türkiye

Mehmet Nuri Elgörmüş
Türkiye

Oznur Dundar Akın
Türkiye

Publication Date

October 30, 2026

Submission Date

September 20, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 22, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.65396/ejra.2044250

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA42ZB77CZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Karalok, M. H., İbas, M., Elgörmüş, M. N., & Akın, O. D. (2026). Pregnancy Rhinitis and Quality of Life: A Retrospective Controlled Comparison of Intranasal Corticosteroid, Short-Term Nasal Decongestant, Saline Irrigation, and Standard Care. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, 9(3), 168-176. https://doi.org/10.65396/ejra.2044250

AMA

1.Karalok MH, İbas M, Elgörmüş MN, Akın OD. Pregnancy Rhinitis and Quality of Life: A Retrospective Controlled Comparison of Intranasal Corticosteroid, Short-Term Nasal Decongestant, Saline Irrigation, and Standard Care. Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2026;9(3):168-176. doi:10.65396/ejra.2044250

Chicago

Karalok, Mete Hakan, Mustafa İbas, Mehmet Nuri Elgörmüş, and Oznur Dundar Akın. 2026. “Pregnancy Rhinitis and Quality of Life: A Retrospective Controlled Comparison of Intranasal Corticosteroid, Short-Term Nasal Decongestant, Saline Irrigation, and Standard Care”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 9 (3): 168-76. https://doi.org/10.65396/ejra.2044250.

EndNote

Karalok MH, İbas M, Elgörmüş MN, Akın OD (October 30, 2026) Pregnancy Rhinitis and Quality of Life: A Retrospective Controlled Comparison of Intranasal Corticosteroid, Short-Term Nasal Decongestant, Saline Irrigation, and Standard Care. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 9 3 168–176.

IEEE

[1]M. H. Karalok, M. İbas, M. N. Elgörmüş, and O. D. Akın, “Pregnancy Rhinitis and Quality of Life: A Retrospective Controlled Comparison of Intranasal Corticosteroid, Short-Term Nasal Decongestant, Saline Irrigation, and Standard Care”, Eur J Rhinol Allergy, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 168–176, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.65396/ejra.2044250.

ISNAD

Karalok, Mete Hakan - İbas, Mustafa - Elgörmüş, Mehmet Nuri - Akın, Oznur Dundar. “Pregnancy Rhinitis and Quality of Life: A Retrospective Controlled Comparison of Intranasal Corticosteroid, Short-Term Nasal Decongestant, Saline Irrigation, and Standard Care”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 9/3 (October 30, 2026): 168-176. https://doi.org/10.65396/ejra.2044250.

JAMA

1.Karalok MH, İbas M, Elgörmüş MN, Akın OD. Pregnancy Rhinitis and Quality of Life: A Retrospective Controlled Comparison of Intranasal Corticosteroid, Short-Term Nasal Decongestant, Saline Irrigation, and Standard Care. Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2026;9:168–176.

MLA

Karalok, Mete Hakan, et al. “Pregnancy Rhinitis and Quality of Life: A Retrospective Controlled Comparison of Intranasal Corticosteroid, Short-Term Nasal Decongestant, Saline Irrigation, and Standard Care”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, vol. 9, no. 3, Oct. 2026, pp. 168-76, doi:10.65396/ejra.2044250.

Vancouver

1.Mete Hakan Karalok, Mustafa İbas, Mehmet Nuri Elgörmüş, Oznur Dundar Akın. Pregnancy Rhinitis and Quality of Life: A Retrospective Controlled Comparison of Intranasal Corticosteroid, Short-Term Nasal Decongestant, Saline Irrigation, and Standard Care. Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2026 Oct. 30;9(3):168-76. doi:10.65396/ejra.2044250