Asthma and rhinitis: what is the relationship?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Asthma and rhinitis are commonly associated and they influence their respective control. New observations have contributed to better understand how to assess those conditions and how they influence each other.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies found that not only the intensity, but also the duration of rhinitis could be correlated with the development of asthma and possibly its remission. The measure of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) has been used to show the presence of lower airway inflammation in rhinitic patients, with or without asthma. Furthermore, it has been shown that allergic rhinitis could affect asthma control in children as in adults, and consequently suggested that allergic rhinitis and asthma should be concomitantly approached in regard to their diagnosis and treatment. Additional observations showed improvements in various asthma outcomes with the treatment of rhinitis.

SUMMARY

These new data confirm the strong link between asthma and rhinitis, the importance of their interactions, and the need to identify and treat rhinitis adequately in asthmatic patients.