Abstract
Objective: The United Airways Disease hypothesis suggests a link between upper and lower airways in asthmatics. However, there is a need to know more about nose and sinus related quality of life, sinonasal symptoms, and objective nasal air flow in asthmatics compared with healthy individuals.
Method: One hundred asthmatics and 96 nonasthmatic controls underwent a prospective controlled survey from June 2009 to December 2010. Symptoms, quality of life, and nasal airflow were assessed on Visual Analogue Scales (VAS, 0-100), Sino-Nasal-Outcome-Test (SNOT-20), and Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF), respectively.
Results: Asthmatics (male/female 41/59; mean age, 44.1 years; range, 19-64 years) reported significantly more symptoms of nasal obstruction [mean VAS 38mm (SD 26) vs 9 mm (SD 12), P < .001] than controls (male/female 43/53; mean age, 41 years; range, 20-65 years). PNIF was significantly lower in asthmatics than controls [mean PNIF 85 l/min (SD 24) vs 102 l/min (SD 19), P < .001].
Conclusion: This study provides further evidence of the clinical importance of the upper airway in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of asthmatic patients.
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