Prevalence and sociodemographic risk factors of rhinitis in pregnancy: A cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia

This is the second study from Saudi Arabia, after a decade-long gap, that focuses on pregnancy rhinitis (PR). PR is a common, yet under-reported and under-diagnosed condition among pregnant Saudi women. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of PR and its association with sociodemographic factors in a cohort of Saudi women. We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study from August 2023 to February 2025 of pregnant women attending Ohud and Maternity and Children's Hospitals in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic data and information on nasal symptoms and their severity. The prevalence of PR was calculated as the percentage of women affected. We analyzed the associations between PR and sociodemographic factors using Chi-square and Fisher exact tests, with P ≤ .05, as statistically significant. We included pregnant women aged ≥ 18 years and excluded those with a prepregnancy history of allergic rhinitis or sinusitis. Among 386 pregnant women, 115 (29.8%) had PR. Of these, 73% reported moderate-to-severe symptoms. PR prevalence significantly declined with increasing education levels (P < .001) but was higher among employed women (P = .050) and those with chronic diseases (P = .028). PR is highly prevalent among pregnant Saudi women, with most cases classified as moderate to severe. Obstetricians and gynecologists, in collaboration with ENT specialists, should assess nasal symptoms early in pregnancy and educate patients about PR and its management.