Deranged Pulmonary Function Tests in Allergic Rhinitis in North Indian Patients

INTRODUCTION: Significant associations between allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma have been established and as a result of bronchial hyper-responsiveness, patients can have deranged pulmonary function tests. We aim to compare previous such studies with the result of our study done in India wherein we identify among allergic rhinitis patients who despite not having overt asthmatic symptoms, have pulmonary function derangements, quite possibly at a subclinical disease level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 74 patients of allergic rhinitis and after meticulous clinical work up, they underwent blood tests including hemogram, absolute eosinophil count, and total serum IgE followed by pulmonary function tests. RESULTS: Out of 74 patients 60 (81%) had intermittent allergic rhinitis whereas only 14 (19%) had persistent allergic rhinitis. Pulmonary function tests showed reversible obstruction, ie, >10% improvement in FEV(1) with inhaled bronchodilators (as seen in asthma) in 18 (24.3%), mild obstruction in 14, and moderate obstruction in 4 cases. CONCLUSION: The study emphasizes the importance of pulmonary symptoms and the performance of pulmonary function tests in cases of allergic rhinitis patients to rule out latent asthma.