Bronchial hyperreactivity and spirometric impairment in patients with allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
The Link between allergic rhinitis and asthma is well known. Bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) may be present in rhinitics. The present study is aimed at evaluating a large group of subjects suffering from allergic rhinitis alone to investigate the presence of spirometric impairment and BHR both during and outside the pollen season.


METHODS
360 rhinitics (subdivided in 3 groups: seasonal, SAR, perennial, PAR, and polysensitized, PolysR) were investigated by spirometry and methacholine challenge.


RESULTS
There was a significant seasonal difference concerning the number of rhinitics with impaired FEV1 (p<0.01 for SAR, p<0.02 for PAR, and p<0.03 for PolysR) and FEF25-75 (p<0.05 for SAR, p<0.03 for PAR, and p<0.05 for PolysR) as well as with BHR (p<0.05 for SAR and p<0.03 for PAR).


CONCLUSIONS
This study evidences that an impairment of spirometric parameters and BHR may be observed in patients with allergic rhinitis alone. Thus, careful evaluation of lower airways should be performed in patients with allergic rhinitis alone.
Cirillo
I
I
Ospedale Principale della Marina Militare, Reparto di Medicina, Allergologia e Fisiopatologia Respiratoria, La Spezia, Italy.
Vizzaccaro
A
A
Tosca
M A
MA
Negrini
S
S
Negrini
A C
AC
Marseglia
G
G
Ciprandi
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D016085:Bronchoconstrictor Agents; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008450:Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate / Q000502:physiology; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D011058:Pollen; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000503:physiopathology; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013147:Spirometry
D000485:Allergens; D016085:Bronchoconstrictor Agents; D016210:Methacholine Chloride