Chronic rhinitis and its impact on COPD: A literature review

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exerts a notable impact on the quality of life of individuals, precipitating substantial economic burdens. A probable association exists between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic rhinitis (CR).

Objective: This study aims to explore the impact of CR in COPD.

Methods: A scoping literature review framework was used for this study. Relevant publications published between January 2003 to December 2023, were captured from Embase, MEDLINE, and Scopus. The outcomes included prevalence, quality of life, exacerbation and hospitalization, lung function, COPD symptom score, and psychological impact.

Results: The scoping review included six eligible studies that focused on CR in COPD. The prevalence of chronic nasal symptoms was found in up to 88% of COPD with nasal discharge found to be the most common symptom in COPD. Chronic rhinitis impacted the QoL, causing a significant increase in the risk of exacerbation & hospitalization, associated with lower lung function and higher COPD symptom scores. CR was not found to impact mood disorder in terms of psychological aspects.

Conclusions: CR, including Allergic and Non-allergic rhinitis, may influences the outcomes of COPD. Assessing chronic nasal symptoms in COPD patients is suggested to understand their role in disease progression. A comprehensive approach targeting both upper and lower airway conditions could improve COPD treatment outcomes.