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Background:
The nose and bronchi
are closely linked,
and rhinitis often
precedes the onset
of asthma. Bronchial
obstruction is a
characteristic of
asthma, and
demonstration of its
reversibility is a
key element in
diagnosis. However,
reversibility
testing requires a
spirometer, which is
rarely available in
the doctors office.
Visual analog scales
(VAS) are frequently
used in daily
practice.
Objective: This
study evaluated the
suitability of a VAS
for assessing
bronchodilation in
patients with
persistent allergic
rhinitis as a means
of selecting
candidates for
screening spirometry.
Methods: We
evaluated 120
patients with
moderate to severe
persistent allergic
rhinitis. All
patients underwent a
clinical
examination, skin
prick test,
spirometry,
bronchodilation
test, and VAS.
Results:
Patients with
rhinitis showed
significantly
increased forced
expiratory volume in
the first second
(FEV1) after the
bronchodilation test
(median, 11.5%).
Positive results
were observed in
60%, and VAS values
increased (>30%)
after the test.
There was a
significant
relationship between
ΔVAS and ΔFEV1
(P<.0001; r=0.482).
Conclusion: This
preliminary study
shows that patients
with moderate to
severe persistent
allergic rhinitis
often experience an
increase in FEV1
after the
bronchodilation
test. VAS assessment
of the test might be
useful when
selecting candidates
for spirometry for
possible bronchial
involvement.
Key words:
Allergic rhinitis.
Asthma. VAS.
Respiration.
Spirometry.
Bronchodilation.
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