Allergy and the nose.
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common immunological disorder and is characterized by an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated inflammation induced by the allergen exposure. This review will consider some issues concerning pathophysiological aspects of AR: impact on asthma, response to decongestion, link with infections, response to specific immunotherapy, relationship with adiposity, effects on quality of life (QoL) and allergic inflammation. AR, even though not a serious illness, may be a clinically relevant disorder as it may present numerous complications and affect QoL, as reported in this review. Therefore, the management of AR patients should be rigorously careful and multi-disciplinary.
Ciprandi
G
G
Semeiotica e Metodologia Medica I, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it
Passalacqua
G
G
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E