Otolaryngology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Aim: Our study aimed to determine the effect of marriage and sexual activity as risk factors on allergic rhinitis and to figure out degree of impact of consanguinity in the Saudi population on allergic rhinitis. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional study. The study was conducted at the outpatient ENT clinic of King Faisal University polyclinic centre at the period from October 2015 to February 2016. A random of 60 patients of age group 20-55 years old including both sexes. The inclusive criteria were patients experienced symptoms related to out- door, indoor allergic rhinitis in the past 12 months. All of them were married and subjected to a questionnaire. It included 21 questions assessing symptoms of allergic rhinitis to verify the diagnosis, and its frequency and severity. It also included the marital details and patterns of consanguinity. The result was 7 female patients (out of 24=29%) and 4 male ones (out of 25=16%) admitted experience of post coital exacerbation of allergic rhinitis attacks. In discussion the two previous studies could not find any association between AR prevalence and marriage. Marriage exerted a protective effect on AR in another study. In contrast, unhappy marriage or dissatisfied marriage can put people under stress and health problems. Results: Human seminal plasma allergy, in women, is usually caused by sensitization to proteins present in the seminal fluid, leading to immediate hypersensitivity manifestations during or soon after coitus. Four patients had experienced post-coital exacerbation of asthma and allergic rhinitis in a case report. Sexual intercourse can precipitate sexercise-induced asthma or honeymoon rhinitis due to emotional excitement or autonomic over activity. Conclusion: Marriage and sexual activity are risk factors for allergic rhinitis as 18% of our study experienced post coital exacerbation of allergic rhinitis attacks.

Biography

Sara Safar Alshehri is a 6th year medical student from King Faisal University. She is working on 5 ongoing researches.

Email: sarashehri1991@gmail.com