Treatment of allergic rhinitis can improve blood pressure control

Abstract

Owing to high prevalence of arterial hypertension (AH) and allergic rhinitis (AR), these diseases frequently coexist. The study aimed to assess whether improvement of AR by conventional treatment can improve blood pressure (BP) control in this population. Sixtyeight subjects of both sexes aged 35-60 years with AR and AH were randomized into two groups to receive in addition to their antihypertensive medications: treatment group (n ¼ 34) Fluticasone nasal 50 lg/spray b.i.d. and Fenoxifenadine 180 mg tablets q.d., and control group (n ¼ 34) 0.9% NaCl nasal drops b.i.d. Office BP and AR severity (using the Relative Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ)) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured at study entry and after 8 weeks in both groups, without changing of antihypertensive medications. In Treatment group an improvement in RQLQ, significant reduction of systolic BP (SBP) (DSBP 7.474.3 mm Hg, P ¼ 0.006) and reduction of hs-CRP level (DCRP 2.0571.08; P ¼ 0.028) were observed, whereas diastolic BP (DBP) remained unchanged (DDBP 0.971.7 mm Hg, P ¼ 0.7). There was a significant correlation between DRQLQ and DSBP (r ¼ 0.86; P ¼ 0.019) and between DCRP and DSBP (r ¼ 0.56; P ¼ 0.027). No statistically significant changes of RQLQ, BP and CRP were observed in the control group. In patients with coincidence of AH and AR, medications meant to improve AR attenuate low-grade systemic inflammation and can lower SBP, but not DBP.

The Association Between Hay Fever and Stroke in a Cohort of Middle Aged and Elderly Adults

“…18 One mechanism by which the risk of stroke may be increased is through hypertension induced by hay fever. 19,20 Our analysis, however, suggests that the association between hay fever and stroke remained even after controlling for diagnosed hypertension.…”

ARIA‐suggested drugs for allergic rhinitis: what impact on quality of life? A GA2LEN Review

“…A study was conducted to assess whether a conventional treatment for AR can improve blood pressure control, and its effect on HRQoL (31). Sixty‐eight patients with arterial hypertension and AR were randomized to receive, in addition to their antihypertensive medication, Fluticasone nasal 50 mg/spray b.i.d.…”

Selective IgE deficiency and cardiovascular diseases

“…15 We previously observed an improvement of blood pressure control in hypertensive patients with allergic rhinitis after pharmacologic attenuation of allergic inflammation. 16 The presence of subnormal levels of IgE impairs an ability of mast cells to respond normally to antigens and induce Th2 development; as a result, Th1 and Th17 responses predominate, leading to corresponding immunopathology. 17 Several studies suggested that Th1 cells are important in mineralocorticoid-induced and angiotensin II-induced animal models of hypertension.…”