Dry Eye and Dry Nose Caused by the Effect of Allergic Rhinitis on Tear and Nasal Secretion Osmolarity

Abstract

Objective: Allergic rhinitis is a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction of immunoglobulin E in the rhino-ocular mucosa. This study was planned to demonstrate in patients with allergic rhinitis to evaluate changes in tear, nasal secretions, and blood osmolarity compared to healthy individuals. Method: Forty allergic rhinitis patients, 25 patients with acute upper respiratory tract infections, and 26 healthy participants were included in the study. Positive patients with allergic symptoms and skin prick test results were included in the allergic rhinitis group. Tear, nasal secretion, and blood osmolarity values were examined for the 3 groups. Result: In patients with allergic rhinitis, tear and nasal secretion osmolarity values were significantly higher in patients with acute upper respiratory tract infections and those of the healthy participants ( P = .001, P = .038). In blood osmolarity measurements, there was no statistical difference between the groups ( P = .489). In patients with allergic rhinitis, Schirmer test results were significantly shorter than patients who had acute upper respiratory tract infection and those of the healthy participants ( P = .001, P = .001). Patients with allergic rhinitis and acute upper respiratory tract infections had significantly shorter Schirmer test results than in healthy participants ( P = .001, P = .001). Conclusion: Tear osmolarity was increased in allergic rhinitis patients, and this was thought to lead to dry eye findings. In the presence of allergic rhinitis, nasal secretions were found more hyperosmolar than tears. Nasal secretion osmolarity was higher in allergic rhinitis patients than in patients with acute upper respiratory tract infections and control group.