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Published on: April 13, 2010
Small airway obstruction in allergic rhinitis
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|January 1, 1975
Summary
Patients with allergic rhinitis show increased small airway reactivity. Saline and methacholine inhalation revealed significant obstruction, similar to asthma but localized to peripheral airways.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Allergic rhinitis is a common condition.
- Small peripheral airway reactivity is not well understood in allergic rhinitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess small peripheral airway reactivity in patients with allergic rhinitis.
- To compare reactivity following saline and methacholine challenges.
Main Methods:
- Utilized newer techniques to measure small airway obstruction.
- Measured maximum midexpiratory flow rate (MMF) and maximum terminal flow (MTF).
- Administered saline and methacholine inhalation challenges.
Main Results:
- 13% of patients had abnormal baseline MMF/MTF.
- 38% showed decreased MMF/MTF after saline.
- 66% exhibited significant MMF/MTF fall after methacholine (p<0.01 vs. controls).
Conclusions:
- Patients with allergic rhinitis demonstrate significant small airway hyperresponsiveness.
- This reactivity is comparable to asthmatics but localized to peripheral airways.
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