Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2007 Jun;27(2):118-124.

Influential Factors Related to Association of Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness in Patient with Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: BHR (Bronchial hyperresponsiveness) and airway inflammation are the main characteristics of bronchial asthma, and even patients with allergic rhinitis without asthmatic symptoms may have BHR. In addition, there are various reports about the influential factors related to association of BHR in patients with allergic rhinitis. We performed this study to determine whether aeroallergen sensitization and airway eosinophilic inflammation are associated with BHR in allergic rhinitis patients without asthmatic symptoms. METHOD: A total of 102 allergic rhinitis children without asthmatic symptoms were enrolled and divided into two different groups by the methacholline challenge test: BHR- positive and BHR-negative group. SPT and sputum induction were performed, and rhinitis symptoms, allergen sensitization, and lower airway eosinophilic inflammation were compared between the two groups. RESULT: BHR to methacholine was detected in 38 cases (37.3%) of the patients with allergic rhinitis. BHR-positive patients had higher numbers of more than 5 positive SPT responses and higher sensitivity to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, and weed pollen. Also, eosinophils and ECP in induced sputum were significantly higher in BHR-positive patients. We found a significant correlation between BR (bronchial responsiveness) index and positive SPT responses, BR index and sputum eosinophils.
CONCLUSION
In allergic rhinitis patients without asthmatic symptoms, aeroallergen sensitization and lower airway eosinophil inflammation were significantly associated with BHR.

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Asthma
Bronchial Hyperreactivity
Child
Dermatophagoides farinae
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
Eosinophils
Humans
Inflammation
Methacholine Chloride
Pollen
Rhinitis*
Sputum
Allergens
Methacholine Chloride