The Heterogeneity Hidden in Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Co-Existing Asthma in Adults: A Population-Based Survey

Abstract

Background: It has been suggested that there is some overlap between allergic rhinitis (AR), sinusitis and polyposis, but this has not been fully documented. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of these co-existing diseases and their impact on bronchial asthma in the general population of Italy. Methods: Within the frame of the multicentre Gene Environment Interactions in Respiratory Diseases (GEIRD) study, a postal screening questionnaire including questions about self-reported symptoms of asthma, AR, AR with sinusitis without nasal polyps (AR + SsNP) and AR with sinusitis with nasal polyps (AR + SwNP) was administered. Random samples of subjects aged between 20 and 44 years (n = 5,162) answered the postal questionnaire in 4 Italian centres (Pavia, Sassari, Turin, Verona). In AR subjects, the association among AR only, AR + SsNP, AR + SwNP and bronchial asthma was estimated by the relative risk ratio (RRR) using multinomial regression models. Results: The prevalence of AR in the sample was 25.4% (95% CI 24.2-26.6). A self-reported diagnosis of AR + SsNP and AR + SwNP was reported by 5.7% (95% CI 5.0-6.3) and by 1.2% (95% CI 0.9-1.5) of the subjects, respectively. Current asthma was reported by 17.5% of the AR subjects. In the adjusted multivariate analysis, the risk of having current asthma (RRR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.29-4.15), of having at least 1 asthma attack per year (RRR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.19-4.46) and of having had an emergency department admission for respiratory diseases (RRR = 5.61, 95% CI 1.81-23.92) was higher for subjects with AR + SwNP than subjects with AR only. Conclusions: The diagnosis of AR in the epidemiological setting includes heterogeneous upper airway diseases that affect the clinical features of AR and its interactions with asthma.

Association between social capital and quality of life among urban residents in less developed cities of western China

“…[ 3 , 12 ] However, changing relationships within communities have accompanied China's rapid urbanization. [ 26 ] Individuals tend to be lonelier and more alienated from each other in urban communities due to living in high-rise elevator apartments, [ 31 ] and long-term loneliness and isolation may influence mental health. Approximately 17% of adults in urban communities have one or more mental disorders, [ 32 ] and changes in social capital greatly influence urban residents’ mental health.…”

Assessment of biological, psychological and adherence factors in the prediction of step‐down treatment for patients with well‐controlled asthma

“…The prevalence of NP is approximately 4% in the population of patients with asthma [13]. The risk of having at least one asthma exacerbation per year has been found to be significantly higher for individuals with AR and RS with NP than for those with AR only [14].…”