Large airway constriction in allergic rhinitis

Extensive pulmonary function tests, including most of the sensitive new techniques capable of detecting small airways obstruction, were performed in 16 asymptomatic patients with allergic rhinitis and 31 normal control subjects. Mean flow rates, lung volumes, and results of tests measuring airways closure, distribution of ventilation, and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide/alveolar volume did not differ significantly between the groups. Airways resistance (RAW) was significantly higher and specific conductance (SGAW) was significantly lower in subjects with rhinitis. Following administration of nebulized isoproterenol, RAW decreased (p less than 0.001) and SGAW increased (p less than 0.001) to mean values statistically indistinguishable from results obtained in control subjects. Individual results were normal for all tests except RAW and SGAW which were both abnormal in 3 subjects with rhinitis. The results of this investigation indicate that asymptomatic subjects with allergic have large airway (trachea and/or major bronchi) narrowing due to bronchoconstriction and no evidence of diffuse, or small airways, obstruction.