Abstract
UNLABELLED: In Denmark, December brings two certainties: upper respiratory symptoms and »julefrokost« (Christmas lunch). The overlap prompted us to investigate whether festive alcohol intake might be responsible for nasal congestion otherwise mistaken for winter »sniffles«.
METHODS: A total of 23 PhD students were randomised to consume either beer (n = 12) or wine (n = 11). Subjective symptom scores (Nasal Congestion Score (NCS), Sino-Nasal-Outcome-Test-22 (SNOT-22), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) smell, Standard Test for Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis and Chronic Rhinosinusitis (STARR-15)) and objective measures (fiberoptic endoscopy, Sniffin' Sticks 16) were assessed at baseline, 20 minutes post intake, and after 24 hours.
RESULTS: Post intake, 75% of participants in the beer group reported nasal congestion versus 45% in the wine group (p = 0.083). Mucosal edema increased from 30% at baseline to 52% (p = 0.143). SNOT-22 scores improved slightly post-alcohol, likely reflecting mood enhancement rather than true sinonasal improvement. No significant changes in olfactory function or Sniffin' Sticks scores were observed.
CONCLUSION: Beer may provoke transient nasal congestion more than wine, although the difference was not statistically significant. Findings support the hypothesis that some Christmas »sniffles« may be alcohol-related rather than viral.
FUNDING: The study was supported by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Copenhagen University Hospital.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: None.
| Bidragets oversatte titel | Alcohol induced rhinitis: Christmas article |
|---|---|
| Originalsprog | Dansk |
| Artikelnummer | V202512 |
| Tidsskrift | Ugeskrift for Laeger |
| Vol/bind | 187 |
| Udgave nummer | 50 |
| ISSN | 0041-5782 |
| DOI | |
| Status | Udgivet - 8 dec. 2025 |
Emneord
- Humans
- Beer/adverse effects
- Rhinitis/etiology
- Wine/adverse effects
- Male
- Female
- Adult
- Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects
- Young Adult
- Nasal Obstruction/etiology