Allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma one airway, one disease

ABSTRACT

To study the co-existence of allergic rhinitis and asthma. A prospective discriptive study. This study was conducted in the departments of ENT and Medicine, Madina Teaching Hospital. The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad; during January 2006 to July 6. 300 patients of either sex and having age not less than 10 years were selected at random presenting with symptoms of allergic rhinitis or asthma. They were thoroughly evaluated regarding their history, physical examination and relevant investigations according to a pre designed proforma. The pulmonary function of these patients was determined by peak flow meter. 174 patients [58%] out of total 300 patients attended the ENT clinic while 126 patients [42%] presented in the department of medicine. 40 patients [23%] out of 174 patients were diagnosed as having co-existing asthma. Similarly 62 patients [49.2%] out of 126 patients were found to have co-existing allergic rhinitis. So its was noted that 102 patients [34%] had co-existing allergic rhinitis and asthma. Average peak flow rate in non-asthmatic patients was 495 litres per minute [ranging from 450 to 550 litres/minute] while average peak flow rate in asthmatic patiens was noted to be 270 litres/minute [ranging from 150 to 325 litres/minute]. 4 patients [1.3%] had asthma and nasal polyps while 7 patients [2.3%] were diagnosed as having allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps. The association of allergic rhinitis, asthma and nasal polyps was noted in only 3 patients [1.0%]. The maximum number of patients [76.9%] were found in between age group of 11-30 years. 52.7% patients belonged to male gender while 47.3% of the patients were females. Allergic rhinitis and asthma both-often co-exist in the same patient. All patients with allergic rhinitis should be evaluated for asthma and similarly all patients having asthma are needed to be evaluated for allergic rhinitis. Moreover it is reasonable to adopt a combined strategy to achieve aequate control of both these atopic conditions of the patients