The relationship between asthma and allergic rhinitis in the Iraqi population.
BACKGROUND
Recently, extensive research has established that epidemiologic and therapeutic links exist between allergic rhinitis and asthma. The objective of this study was to clarify this association in Iraq.


METHODS
The data included in this study were collected from five surveys for asthma and allergic rhinitis that were performed during the period from September 2000 to July 2008. These surveys were parts of Tikrit University College of Medicine PHC program.


RESULTS
The frequency of allergic rhinitis (AR) was 61.6% among individuals with asthma versus 6% among non-asthmatic (control) subjects (Odd Ratio [OR] = 25.5; P < 0.0001). All studies indicated a significant frequency of AR among asthmatic patients in comparison with non-asthmatic subjects, whether the patients were adults or children (OR for adults = 14.9 and 22.5, for children 34.7 and 48.4; P < 0.001 for all). Furthermore, the high frequency of AR in asthmatic patients was seen whether the study was a community based study (CBS)(OR = 14.9 and 48.4; P < 0.0001) or a hospital based study (HBS)(OR = 22.5 & 34.7; P < 0.0001). The frequency of current asthma was 51.8% among individuals with AR versus 5.4% among control subjects (OR = 23.1; P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study provided evidence that AR and asthma are strongly associated with each other and the treatment approach should consider the entire airway rather than only a part.
Alsamarai
Abdulghani Mohamad
AM
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Tikrit University, Salahuldean, Iraq.
Alwan
Ammar M
AM
Ahmad
Amina Hamed
AH
Salih
Mohib Ahmad
MA
Salih
Jawad Ali
JA
Aldabagh
Mohamad Abdulsatar
MA
Alturaihi
Safa
S
Abdulaziz
Zainab Hashim
ZH
Salih
Anas Ahmad
AA
Salih
Sana Khalaf
SK
Murbat
Mossa Mahmood
MM
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000032:analysis; D015508:Nasal Obstruction; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012912:Sneezing
D008315:Malondialdehyde; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein