Bronchodilation test in patients with allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
Allergic rhinitis (AR) may be considered a risk factor for the onset of asthma. Recently, it has been reported that forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF₂₅₋₇₅) may predict a positive response to bronchodilation test in asthmatic children. The aim of this study was to evaluate a large group of adult AR patients to investigate the frequency of response to bronchodilation test and FEF₂₅₋₇₅ values.


METHODS
One thousand four hundred and sixty-nine consecutive patients suffering from persistent AR were evaluated. Clinical examination, spirometry, and bronchodilation test were performed in all patients.


RESULTS
In this study, 62.9% of patients had reversibility to bronchodilation test and 17.8% had impaired FEF₂₅₋₇₅ values (≤ 65% of predicted). Impaired FEF₂₅₋₇₅ values associated with longer rhinitis duration may predict reversibility to bronchodilation test (OR = 11.3; P < 0.001). In addition, a FEF₂₅₋₇₅ cutoff value ≤ 71% of predicted may already discriminate patients with reversibility.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights that about two-thirds of patients with persistent AR may be considered at risk of becoming asthmatic. This finding should be adequately considered as a precocious spirometry may allow the early detection of patients prone to develop asthma and consequently to treat them.
Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Italy. gio.cip@libero.it
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G
Ciprandi
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Signori
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MA
Tosca
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I
Cirillo
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013147:Spirometry; D055815:Young Adult