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  • Title: Impact of allergic rhinitis on bronchi: an 8-year follow-up study.
    Author: Ciprandi G, Cirillo I, Signori A.
    Journal: Am J Rhinol Allergy; 2011; 25(2):e72-6. PubMed ID: 21679504.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis is considered a strong risk factor for the onset of asthma. However, few studies addressed this issue from a functional point of view. The aim of this study was to follow up a group of patients with allergic rhinitis to investigate the onset of possible spirometric abnormalities and/or bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR). METHODS: Eighty-nine patients with moderate-severe persistent allergic rhinitis were prospectively and consecutively evaluated; 940 controls were also included in the study. Clinical examination, skin-prick test, spirometry, and methacholine challenge were performed in all patients every 2 years for 8 years. RESULTS: The number of patients with forced expiratory flow at 25 and 75% of pulmonary volume of <70% of predicted significantly increased during the observation time. At baseline, no subjects had BHR; whereas 34 patients had BHR after 8 years. Sensitization to mites, birch, and Parietaria as well as rhinitis duration are risk factors for these changes. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the close link between upper and lower airways and suggests that spirometry should be performed in patients with allergic rhinitis.
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