Allergic rhinitis phenotypes based on mono-allergy or poly-allergy.
BACKGROUND
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by typical symptoms that are dependent on inflammation. Poly-allergy is a frequent phenomenon. Phenotyping AR represents an up-to-date issue.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the number of allergies is able to define different phenotypes in patients with AR.


METHODS
83 patients (43 males, mean age 34.7 years) suffering from AR were evaluated. Sensitization, VAS for nasal symptoms perception, and nasal cytology were evaluated.


RESULTS
Poly-allergic patients perceived more severe nasal obstruction than mono-allergic ones (p = 0.0006) as well as they had more frequent sneezing (p < 0.0001). Moreover, poly-allergic patients had a more intense inflammatory infiltrate, concerning both eosinophils (p = 0.0005) and mast cells (p = 0.0001), than mono-allergic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study demonstrates that the presence of poly-allergy could define a distinct AR phenotype in comparison with mono-allergy. It could be clinically relevant as poly-allergic patients have more intense inflammation and more severe symptoms than mono-allergic ones.
Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Matteo
M
Gelardi
Giorgio
G
Ciprandi
Cristoforo
C
Incorvaia
Serena
S
Buttafava
Eleonora
E
Leo
Lucia
L
Iannuzzi
Nicola
N
Quaranta
Franco
F
Frati
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000473:pathology; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D010641:Phenotype; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D012912:Sneezing