Follow-up study in local allergic rhinitis shows a consistent entity not evolving to systemic allergic rhinitis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Otorhinolaryngology
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Local allergic rhinitis (LAR) affects a significant portion of rhinitis patients.
• The relationship between LAR, allergic rhinitis (AR), and systemic atopy is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the natural history of recent-onset LAR.
• To assess the development of AR and asthma in patients with LAR.

Main Methods:

• Prospective 10-year follow-up of 194 LAR patients and 130 controls.
• Yearly clinical assessments, spirometry, skin prick tests, and specific IgE tests.
• Nasal allergen provocation tests at baseline and 5 years.

Main Results:

• At onset, LAR patients had persistent rhinitis with conjunctivitis and asthma comorbidities.
• After 5 years, 26.2% showed rhinitis worsening, with increased symptom severity and new comorbidities.
• Systemic atopy developed similarly in LAR patients (6.81%) and controls (4.5%).

Conclusions:

• LAR appears to be a distinct entity from AR with systemic atopy.
• Further follow-up is needed to fully elucidate the natural course of LAR.