Diagnostic value of specific symptoms for differentiating allergic rhinitis: assessed using a visual analogue scale

Diagnostic value of specific symptoms for differentiating allergic rhinitis: assessed using a visual analogue scale. This study aimed to explore the specific symptoms for differential diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (AR) compared with nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) and chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP). Thirty-nine AR patients, 116 NAR patients, and 44 CRSsNP patients were recruited. Severity of nasal symptoms was evaluated using VAS by both the patients and an assigned rhinologist, based on the patient’s description of their symptoms. Both patient and clinician evaluated the VAS scores for the symptoms of watery rhinorrhea, sneezing, itchy nose and itchy eyes significantly higher in AR patients compared to NAR or CRSsNP patients. Itchy eyes were the most valuable for differential diagnosis between AR and NAR, and the itchy nose was the most valuable for differential diagnosis between AR and CRSsNP. These specific symptoms may help in the differentiation of AR from NAR and CRSsNP at the primary care level.