Analysis of the flow-volume curve in children and adolescents with allergic rhinitis without asthma. / Analysis of the flow-volume curve in children and adolescents with allergic rhinitis without asthma.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: There is epidemiological, functional and pathologic evidence that relates upper and lower airways, clinically known as a single respiratory tract. Patients with allergic rhinitis without asthma may present subclinical abnormal spirometry parameters. OBJECTIVES: To describe the results of the flow-volume curve in a group of patients with allergic rhinitis without asthma and analyze the possible associations between anthropometric, clinical and biochemical outcome measures with abnormal spirometry results. POPULATION AND METHODS: Observational, descriptive study including children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years old with symptoms of allergic rhinitis without asthma. Age, gender, body mass index and duration of rhinitis were determined as per the subjects medical record. Allergen skin tests, flow-volume curve spirometry, determination of eosinophil count in blood and in nasal secretions, and total serum IgE were performed. RESULTS: A total of 84 patients were studied; 21 (25