ASTHMA AND OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGIC DISORDERS

Abstract

Objective: Upper respiratory disorders such as allergic rhinitis and rhinosinusitis are different facets of a larger systemic inflammatory syndrome involving both the upper and lower airways. Effective treatment of sinonasal disease, which is one of the factors that exacerbate asthma, may also improve and stabilize the asthmatic condition. Patients with persistent asthma should be searched for otorhinolaryngologic disorders. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a an association between asthma and otolaryngologic disorders.
Methods: Forty-two asthmatic patients and 42 controls were examined for otorhinolaryngologic disorders by the same physician. Data were compared in groups by using Fisher’s Exact Test.
Results: Eighty-nine percent of the asthmatic patients were shown to have associated otorhinolaryngologic disorders which is significantly higher than in the controls (42%),(p<0,0001).
Conclusion: Upper respiratory disorder is a very common comorbidity of asthma and common mechanisms exist. The nasal and sinus inflammation in asthmatics seems to be related
specifically to asthma and is not a feature of all bronchial diseases. The presence of upper respiratory disorders should always be investigated in adults with asthma. Treatment of nasal conditions confers significant protection against asthma exacerbations.
Key Words: Asthma, Allergy, Polyps, Vocal cord dysfunction, Posterior laryngitis, Candidiasis.

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