Abstract
Objective: The all year-round exposure to environmental allergens almost never has clear symptom-free period and makes it difficult to conclude that allergen exposure is causal to trigger chronic rhinitis symptoms in sensitized individuals. The purpose of this study was to assess whether specific nasal challenge will confirm the nasal mucosa reactivity in patients with perennial rhinitis sensitized to house dust mites, cat or dog and will subsequently exclude probands suffering from perennial non-allergic rhinitis.
Methods: A specific nasal challenge, using active anterior rhinomanometry was conducted on 30 persistent rhinitis patients (diagnosed IgE and/or skin prick test positive) with history of symptoms over the previous 3 years. Results: 30 patients underwent specific nasal challenge with house dust mites, cat or dog allergens, 18 individuals were reactive.
Eleven of 20 reacted to mites, 5 of 8 to cat and all 2 reacted to dog allergens. We found significant association between specific nasal challenge and skin prick test with mites, dominantly in patients with strong skin reactivity.
Younger age is associated with higher nasal reactivity. No lower airway symptoms were observed during the challenge.
Conclusions: Our results indicate specific nasal challenge is useful tool to confirm the nasal reactivity to allergen in majority of perennial rhinitis patients.