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Rhinitis Right Care: improving diagnosis and management in primary care.

Jaime CORREIA DE SOUSA and Dermot RYAN

Rhinitis is highly prevalent across all ages, significantly impairing the quality of life of patients and their cohabitants. Underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis are common, leading to under or inappropriate treatment, negative economic impact, and potential harm. Most people manage it episodically, through self-management or OTC medications. Many underestimate their symptoms, not bringing them to the attention of their family physician. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is strongly associated with an increased risk of developing asthma often due to sensitisation to multiple allergens. Those with AR are more likely to have frequent asthma exacerbations and poorer symptom control than those with asthma alone. Managing allergic rhinitis well in primary care is also an important opportunity to take a One Health approach, protecting patients from environmental changes and protecting the planet from inappropriate medicines use.This workshop will discuss primary care-derived person-centred cases on diagnostic and management challenges in rhinitis. Participants will explore practical, evidence-informed strategies to improve recognition, shared decision-making, and sustainable management of rhinitis within the broader context of respiratory and planetary health.After a short introduction, participants will engage in group work using clinical vignettes. The faculty will facilitate discussions introducing practical tools. A voting system will support interaction. These free tools were co-produced by primary care colleagues with CRD expertise, drawing on experience and evidence from different resource settings. The session can accommodate approximately 30 participants.Participants should be able to a) List some challenges in the diagnosis and management of Rhinitis; b) Assess the impact of patients’ symptoms considering their ideas, concerns, and expectations; c) Consider a diagnosis of asthma as the most important comorbidity in people with AR; d) Support shared decision-making by addressing patients’ fears, expectations and preferences and discussing risks and benefits; e) Design a personalised management plan including non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches; f) Identify red flags and know when to refer.Rhinitis is a risk factor for the development of asthma and is often associated with poorer asthma control and reduced patient quality of life. Enhancing primary care with person-centred, environmentally responsible approaches can improve patient and planetary outcomes.