HIDDEN BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN PATIENTS HAVING ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Introduction: Epidemiological evidence and clinical as well as experimental observations have suggested link between rhinitis and asthma. The relationship between rhinitis and asthma involve other aspects, such as viral infection and bronchial hyper reactivity. Challenge studies the bronchi show presence of spirometric impairment and BHR in patients with allergic rhinitis. Aim of the study: The present study aimed at evaluating group of allergic rhinitis for spirometric impairment and BHR (i.e. hidden bronchial asthma). Methods: The study was done on 150 patients who have allergic rhinitis without manifestations of bronchial asthma. Spirometry and BHR tests were done Results: Ten patients (6.7%) showed impaired value of FEV1 and ten patients (6.7%) showed impaired FVC. Ninety six patients (64%) showed positive methacholine test and 44 patients (29.3%) showed negative methacholine challenge test. Conclusion: There is an association between bronchial impairment and allergic rhinitis even in the absence of clinical symptoms of asthma which could be predicted by impaired spirometry results and BHR So cases of hidden asthma can be predicted.