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Bronchodilation test in patients with allergic rhinitis
Author(s) -
Ciprandi G.,
Signori A.,
Tosca M. A.,
Cirillo I.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2011.02544.x
Subject(s) - bronchodilation , spirometry , medicine , asthma , allergy , bronchodilatation , bronchodilator , pediatrics , immunology
To cite this article: Ciprandi G, Signori A, Tosca MA, Cirillo I. Bronchodilation test in patients with allergic rhinitis. Allergy 2011; 66 : 694–698. Abstract Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) may be considered a risk factor for the onset of asthma. Recently, it has been reported that forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF 25–75 ) may predict a positive response to bronchodilation test in asthmatic children. The aim of this study was to evaluate a large group of adult AR patients to investigate the frequency of response to bronchodilation test and FEF 25–75 values. Methods: One thousand four hundred and sixty‐nine consecutive patients suffering from persistent AR were evaluated. Clinical examination, spirometry, and bronchodilation test were performed in all patients. Results: In this study, 62.9% of patients had reversibility to bronchodilation test and 17.8% had impaired FEF 25–75 values (≤65% of predicted). Impaired FEF 25–75 values associated with longer rhinitis duration may predict reversibility to bronchodilation test (OR = 11.3; P < 0.001). In addition, a FEF 25–75 cutoff value ≤71% of predicted may already discriminate patients with reversibility. Conclusions: This study highlights that about two‐thirds of patients with persistent AR may be considered at risk of becoming asthmatic. This finding should be adequately considered as a precocious spirometry may allow the early detection of patients prone to develop asthma and consequently to treat them.