Non‐disclosure of Cocaine Use in the Rhinology Practice

Non‐disclosure of Cocaine Use in the Rhinology Practice: A Retrospective Study of 27 Patients:

Abstract

There is a paucity of literature on the epidemiology of cocaine‐induced rhinitis.

Cocaine‐induced rhinitis of the sinonasal mucosa can manifest as spectrum of nasal pathology that mimic vasculitis from heavy crusting to erosion of the nasopharyngeal mucosa.

Many users are reluctant to disclose their cocaine habits, leading to misdiagnosis of cocaine‐induced rhinitis, delays in treatment, and inappropriate management.

As part of our standardised approach, all patients presenting with features of vasculitis or cocaine‐induced rhinitis undergo blood and urine testing, including auto‐antibodies, inflammatory markers, haematology, biochemistry profiles and urine drug screening.

Undisclosed cocaine use was confirmed on urine drug screen in 37.0% of patients in our patient cohort after standardising our approach