title: Body mass index, respiratory function and bronchial hyperreactivity in allergic rhinitis and asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have outlined a possible relationship between an increased body mass index (BMI) and respiratory allergic diseases, such as asthma and rhinitis. The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between BMI and allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis and asthma, and functional parameters, such as nasal airflow, FEV(1), and non-specific BHR to methacholine, in a cohort of navy army subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 100 patients with moderate-severe persistent allergic rhinitis alone, 100 with intermittent allergic asthma alone, and 100 healthy controls. All subjects were evaluated performing skin prick test, spirometry, and bronchostimulation test with methacholine. Rhinomanometry was performed in patients with rhinitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BMI values were significantly lower in control subjects with respect to patients with rhinitis (P=0.0002) and with respect to patients with asthma (P<0.0001). BMI was also significantly higher in males with respect to females (P=0.005). A significant relationship has been observed between some categories of BHR and BMI either in patients with rhinitis (P<0.01) or in patients with asthma (P<0.01), whereas there was no association between BMI and functional parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides the first evidence of a significant relationship between BMI and allergic rhinitis and between BMI and BHR in both allergic disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ciprandi
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pistorio
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tosca
authors.forename: Maria Rosaria
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ferraro
authors.forename: Ignazio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cirillo
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D016085:Bronchoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008889:Military Personnel; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D012882:Skin Tests; D013147:Spirometry
chemical_list: D016085:Bronchoconstrictor Agents; D016210:Methacholine Chloride