Prevalence and characteristics of rhinitis in asthmatic patients attending primary care in Spain (the RINOASMAIR study).

Introduction: Rhinitis and asthma share epidemiological, pathophysiological, and clinical features. The aim of the RINOASMAIR study was to examine the prevalence and characteristics of rhinitis in asthmatics in a Primary Care setting in Spain.
Methods: A prospective epidemiological study was conducted with the participation of 1,027 Primary Care Physicians (PCP). A total of 4,174 asthmatics were included and demographic data, rhinitis prevalence, lung function, atopy, and rhinitis treatment were analysed.
Results: 71% of asthmatics suffered from rhinitis, these being younger (42.8 vs 50.2 yr; p<0.0001) and having milder asthma (FEV1=80.2% vs 76.1%, p<0.002) than those with-out rhinitis. A significant correlation (Rho=0.35, p<0.0001) between asthma and rhinitis severities was found. Atopy was associated to rhinitis, 77.8% of atopic compared to 47.6% of non atopic having rhinitis.
Conclusions: Most asthmatics (71%) visited by Spanish PCP suffer from rhinitis, and these patients are younger and have milder asthma than asthmatics without rhinitis.