Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis: relationship with nasal polyposis, asthma and family history.
Rhinitis and rhinosinusitis (with/without polyposis), either allergic or non-allergic, represent a major medical problem. Their associated comorbidities and relationship with family history have so far been poorly investigated. We assessed these aspects in a large population of patients suffering from rhinosinusal diseases. Clinical history, nasal cytology, allergy testing and direct nasal examination were performed in all patients referred for rhinitis/rhinosinusitis. Fibre optic nasal endoscopy, CT scan and nasal challenge were used for diagnosis, when indicated. A total of 455 patients (60.7% male, age range 4-84 years) were studied; 108 (23.7%) had allergic rhinitis, 128 (28.1%) rhinosinusitis with polyposis, 107 (23.5%) non-allergic rhinitis (negative skin test); 112 patients had associated allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, the majority with eosinophilia. There was a significant association between non-allergic rhinitis and family history of nasal polyposis (OR = 4.45; 95%CI = 1.70-11.61; p = 0.0019), whereas this association was no longer present when allergic rhinitis was also included. Asthma was equally frequent in non-allergic and allergic rhinitis, but more frequent in patients with polyposis. Aspirin sensitivity was more frequent in nasal polyposis, independent of the allergic (p = 0.03) or non-allergic (p = 0.01) nature of rhinitis. Nasal polyposis is significantly associated with asthma and positive family history of asthma, partially independent of the allergic aetiology of rhinitis.
Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari, Italy;
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M
Gelardi
Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari, Italy;
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L
Iannuzzi
Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Italy;
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S
Tafuri
Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, University of Genoa, Italy.
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G
Passalacqua
Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari, Italy;
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N
Quaranta
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
Allergic rhinitis; Atopy; Family history; Nasal cytology; Nasal polyposis; Non-allergic rhinitis