Association between allergic rhinitis and asthma in a Northern Alberta cohort

Abstract

BackgroundMany published epidemiologic studies confirm a marked increase in the prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis. The link between allergic rhinitis and asthma has been extensively studied and approximately 75% of patients with asthma have allergic rhinitis. The proportion of patients with asthma in populations of allergic rhinitis patients has not been well studied.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed asthma in a specific population of patients presenting to an Otolaryngologist with symptoms of allergic rhinitis.Study designProspective cohort study. Methods: Patients presenting with symptoms of allergic rhinitis to two tertiary care Rhinology practices in Northern Alberta were asked to undergo allergy skin testing, serum IgE quantification, and pulmonary functional testing. Patients with previous asthma screening or known history of reactive airway disease or asthma were excluded.Results107 patients with allergic rhinitis symptoms were recruited between September 2010 to January 2013. Patients predominantly had perennial or persistent rhinitis (64.5%) with moderate-severe symptoms (50.5%). While only 14.9% of patients had abnormal IgE levels, 68.8% had positive skin testing. Abnormal pulmonary function tests were obtained in 39.1% of patients and 26.1% of patients were diagnosed with asthma.ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of undiagnosed asthma in patients presenting to tertiary Rhinology care with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis symptoms. Screening lung function testing should be considered in this patient population.

Deranged Pulmonary Function Tests in Allergic Rhinitis in North Indian Patients

“…There is evidence showing that patients with AR may have an increased prevalence of bronchial hyper-responsiveness and alterations in the functional testing of breathing. 20 In a study done by Jeffery et al 21 on 107 patients of AR deranged pulmonary function tests were observed in 39.1% of cases and 26.1% of patients were diagnosed with asthma. Our study showed 18 (24.3%) of AR patients had PFT similar to asthma.…”

Anti-Interleukin-1 Beta/Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha IgY Antibodies Reduce Pathological Allergic Responses in Guinea Pigs with Allergic Rhinitis

“…The total number of inflammatory cells, primarily eosinophils, in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and pulmonary tissues was increased in OVA-sensitized guinea pigs [ 4 ] and rats [ 5 ]. In addition, the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis is linked to asthma [ 6 ]. Inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines is effective for controlling and alleviating allergic inflammation because proinflammatory cytokines precede Th2 cytokines in the pathological response [ 4 ].…”