Background: Relevant relationship exists between upper and lower airways. Bronchial obstruction is a paramount feature of asthma and its reversibility is considered a diagnostic step for asthma diagnosis. Objective: This study aimed at evaluating a large group of children with allergic rhinitis alone for investigating the degree of brochodilation and possible factors related to it. Methods: Two hundred patients with allergic rhinitis and 150 normal subjects were consecutively evaluated. Clinical examination, skin prick test, spirometry, and bronchodilation test were performed in all patients. Results: Rhinitics showed a significant FEV1 increase after bronchodilation test (P < 0.0001) in comparison both to basal values and to controls' levels. More than 20% of rhinitics had reversibility (≥12% basal levels). Patients with reversibility had lower FEV1 levels, longer rhinitis duration, and perennial allergy. Conclusion: This study highlights the close link between upper and lower airways and the relevance of performing bronchodilation test in patients with allergic rhinitis and these characteristics. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Impact of allergic rhinitis on asthma in children: Effects on bronchodilation test
Varricchio A.;
2010-01-01
Abstract
Background: Relevant relationship exists between upper and lower airways. Bronchial obstruction is a paramount feature of asthma and its reversibility is considered a diagnostic step for asthma diagnosis. Objective: This study aimed at evaluating a large group of children with allergic rhinitis alone for investigating the degree of brochodilation and possible factors related to it. Methods: Two hundred patients with allergic rhinitis and 150 normal subjects were consecutively evaluated. Clinical examination, skin prick test, spirometry, and bronchodilation test were performed in all patients. Results: Rhinitics showed a significant FEV1 increase after bronchodilation test (P < 0.0001) in comparison both to basal values and to controls' levels. More than 20% of rhinitics had reversibility (≥12% basal levels). Patients with reversibility had lower FEV1 levels, longer rhinitis duration, and perennial allergy. Conclusion: This study highlights the close link between upper and lower airways and the relevance of performing bronchodilation test in patients with allergic rhinitis and these characteristics. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
