title: Co-existence and seasonal variation in rhinitis and asthma symptoms in patients with asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asthma and rhinitis are common diseases that often occur concomitantly. However, in patients with asthma, the concurrent assessment of seasonal variation in rhinitis and asthma symptoms has not been comprehensively addressed. We prospectively evaluated seasonal changes in rhinitis and asthma symptoms over one year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-six patients with asthma were enrolled. Asthma and rhinitis symptoms were assessed by using the State of the Impact of Allergic Rhinitis on Asthma Control (SACRA) questionnaire, developed and validated in Japan by the committee　of Global Initiative for Asthma and the committee of Allergic Rhinitis for asthma and its impact on Asthma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-three patients completed the study. Forty-five patients (85%) had nasal symptoms during at least one or more seasons and 15 patients (28%) had perennial rhinitis. The association between asthma symptoms and rhinitis symptoms, assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS), was significant during each season; seasonal variations of symptoms were synchronous. Uncontrolled asthma was more prevalent in patients with moderate-to-severe rhinitis compared to those with mild rhinitis. The VAS score of asthma symptoms in patients with asthma and perennial rhinitis was significantly higher than that in patients with non-perennial rhinitis or without rhinitis, across every season, except for spring. Correlations were more significantn patients less than 65 years of age than in older patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rhinitis is common in patients with asthma. Symptoms of rhinitis and asthma often co-exist, and the association between these symptoms may be stronger n younger patients with asthma than older.
authors: Respiratory Disease Center, The Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute, Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Nagoya City University, School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan. Electronic address: m-take19@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp.
authors: Masaya
authors: M
authors: Takemura
authors: Respiratory Disease Center, The Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute, Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors: Daiki
authors: D
authors: Inoue
authors: Respiratory Disease Center, The Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute, Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors: Kazufumi
authors: K
authors: Takamatsu
authors: Respiratory Disease Center, The Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute, Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors: Ryo
authors: R
authors: Itotani
authors: Respiratory Disease Center, The Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute, Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors: Manabu
authors: M
authors: Ishitoko
authors: Respiratory Disease Center, The Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute, Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors: Minoru
authors: M
authors: Sakuramoto
authors: Respiratory Disease Center, The Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute, Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors: Motonari
authors: M
authors: Fukui
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012621:Seasons; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Asthma; Questionnaire; Seasonal variation