The linkage of allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea

Rhinitis can be divided into allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. Rhinitis, particularly allergic rhinitis, has been shown to be associated with obstructive sleep apnea; a condition characterized by repetitive upper airway obstruction during sleep. Allergic rhinitis increases the risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea by two major mechanisms: 1) increase in airway resistance due to higher nasal resistance and 2) reduction in pharyngeal diameter from mouth breathing that moves the mandible inferiorly. Other inflammatory mediators including histamine, CysLTs, IL 1β and IL-4 found in high levels in allergic rhinitis, have also been shown to worsen sleep quality in obstructive sleep apnea. Prior studies have shown that treatment of allergic rhinitis, particularly when intranasal steroid are used, improved obstructive sleep apnea. Leukotriene receptor antagonists were also associated with positive results on obstructive sleep apnea in adult patients with concomitant allergic rhinitis but current data are limited in the case of children.