Management of patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma: literature review.
Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma are disorders of the airway characterized by inflammation of the respiratory mucosa. The presence of one disorder increases the likelihood that the other will also occur. As they are mechanistically intertwined, one can exacerbate the other when both conditions are present. In addition, comorbid AR and asthma have an additive impact on patients' health-related quality of life. The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) recommendations suggest that asthma patients should be evaluated for AR, and all AR patients should undergo tests for asthma. They also suggest that ideally, a combined strategy should be used to treat the upper and lower airway diseases. While treatment for AR includes antihistamines, intranasal glucocorticosteroids, antileukotrienes, and specific immunotherapy, data suggest that these treatment approaches may also improve asthma outcomes. This article reviews current clinical approaches to the diagnosis and management of patients with comorbid AR and asthma.
Nathan
Robert A
RA
Asthma and Allergy Associates and Research Center, Colorado Springs, CO 80907, USA. drrnathan@aol.com
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069444:Omalizumab; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D013256:Steroids; D000069444:Omalizumab