Prevalence and characteristics of rhinitis in asthmatic patients attending primary care in Spain (the RINOASMAIR study).
BACKGROUND
Rhinitis and asthma share epidemiological, pathophysiological, and clinical features. The aim of the RINOASMAIR study was to examine the prevalence and characteristics of rhinitis in asthmatics in a Primary Care setting in Spain.


METHODS
A prospective epidemiological study was conducted with the participation of 1,027 Primary Care Physicians (PCP). A total of 4,174 asthmatics were included and demographic data, rhinitis prevalence, lung function, atopy, and rhinitis treatment were analysed.


RESULTS
71% of asthmatics suffered from rhinitis, these being younger (42.8 vs 50.2 yr; p<0.0001) and having milder asthma (FEV1=80.2% vs 76.1%, p<0.002) than those with-out rhinitis. A significant correlation (Rho=0.35, p<0.0001) between asthma and rhinitis severities was found. Atopy was associated to rhinitis, 77.8% of atopic compared to 47.6% of non atopic having rhinitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Most asthmatics (71%) visited by Spanish PCP suffer from rhinitis, and these patients are younger and have milder asthma than asthmatics without rhinitis.
Castillo
José A
JA
Servei de Pneumologia, Institut Universitari Dexeus, Barcelona, Spain. 11437jac@comb.es
Molina
Jesús
J
Valero
Antonio
A
Mullol
Joaquim
J
D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology