Comorbid asthma in allergic rhinitis patients in Kashmir

Abstract

The study was conducted in the department of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery, Government Medical College, Srinagar and Associated Hospitals, Jammu and Kashmir for the period of 2 years from May 2011 to June 2013 with the aim to determine the prevalence of asthma in allergic rhinitis (AR) patients and the effect of medical management of allergic rhinitis on asthma it is a hospital based prospective study. A total of 576 patients who presented with features of AR were enrolled in the study after proper written consent was taken. All cases were evaluated for AR and for the comorbid asthma. Detailed history and clinical examination was done. Skin prick test (SPT) and spirometry was used to conirm the allergy and to detect comorbid asthma respectively. Wilsons scoring system and spirometeric parameters forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FEV25-75 and FVC) were used for pre- and post-treatment symptom comparison. Results: Out of 576 patients, 117 patients were positive for SPT for various inhalant allergens, with prevalence of comorbid asthma being 41.08%. There was signiicant improvement in symptomology of asthma following the use of nasal inhalational steroids for AR. Wilsons score system and spirometric parameters showed marked improvement in post-treatment results, with p-value of 0.00 which is statistically highly signiicant.