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Published on: April 13, 2010
Impact of allergic rhinitis on asthma: effects on bronchodilation testing
Giorgio Ciprandi1, Ignazio Cirillo, Angela Pistorio
1Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Genoa, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it
Background:
A remarkable relationship exists between the upper and lower airways. Bronchial obstruction is a paramount feature of asthma, and its reversibility is considered a main step in asthma diagnosis.
Objective:
To investigate the degree of bronchodilation and possible risk factors related to it in patients with moderate-severe persistent allergic rhinitis alone.
Methods:
A total of 375 patients with moderate-severe persistent allergic rhinitis and 115 controls were prospectively and consecutively evaluated by means of clinical examination, skin prick testing, spirometry, and bronchodilation testing.
Results:
Patients with rhinitis showed a significant increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV) after bronchodilation testing compared with basal values and levels in controls (P < .001). Two-thirds of the rhinitic patients had reversibility (> or = 12% basal levels). Patients with reversibility had lower FEV1 levels, longer rhinitis duration, and mite and tree allergies.
Conclusions:
This study highlights the close link between the upper and lower airways and the relevance of performing bronchodilation testing in patients with moderate-severe persistent allergic rhinitis.
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