Association between hay fever and bronchial asthma

Abstract

A nationwide survey of allergic rhinitis in 2019 showed a significant increase in the prevalence of cedar pollinosis. Allergic rhinitis is known to be strongly associated with bronchial asthma; however, few reports in Japan have described asthma in patients with allergic rhinitis; therefore, the true status of asthma among patients with hay fever, who visited otorhinolaryngology facilities in recent years is unclear. In this study, we performed a questionnaire survey of asthma symptoms among 3,804 patients with allergic rhinitis who visited otorhinolaryngology facilities in Yamanashi Prefecture and adjacent areas during the pollen dispersal period between January and May. Of the 448 patients (12.3%) with physician-diagnosed bronchial asthma, 28 patients reported asthma symptoms over 12 months preceding their visit and had exacerbation of asthma during the pollen dispersal period. A high percentage of patients with asthma had moderate-to-severe nasal symptoms regardless of asthma diagnosis. The present study indicates that a certain percentage of patients with hay fever and asthma visit otorhinolaryngologists and that worsening of rhinitis symptoms secondary to hay fever is associated with exacerbation of asthma. Moreover, many patients present with asthma-like symptoms, which are not accurately diagnosed and treated. Physicians should be mindful of this presentation in patients who visit otorhinolaryngology facilities for management of hay fever.