Rhinitis medicamentosa – comparing two treatment strategies: a retrospective analysis

Rhinitis medicamentosa poses a therapeutic challenge for both patients and physicians. Treatment strategies vary, starting with avoidance of decongestants, followed by medications or surgical intervention. This study aimed to compare two treatment strategies for this condition. A review was conducted of patients diagnosed with rhinitis medicamentosa from 2013 to 2021, who were managed conservatively with medications or surgically by inferior turbinate reduction. Forty-seven patients were included: 21 patients were treated conservatively and 26 underwent turbinate reduction. Following surgical therapy, the frequency of using decongestants was significantly reduced ( < 0.001), with a significant improvement in Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 scores ( < 0.001). The conservative treatment group was significantly older with more co-morbidities. Following medical therapy, the conservative treatment group had a significant decrease in the frequency of decongestant use, but there was no significant improvement in their Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 scores. Compared to conservative treatment, inferior turbinate reduction for rhinitis medicamentosa resulted in reduced decongestant use and improved quality of life.