COURSE OVERVIEW
There has been age old link between asthma and rhinitis. With excellent understanding in the etiopathogenesis of both the disease entity knowledge regarding the two comorbidities has widened the scope of treatment horizon. Numerous epidemiological studies have pointed that nasal symptoms are experienced by as many as 78% of patients with asthma and that asthma is experienced by as many as 38% of patients with allergic rhinitis. There exists a temporal relationship between the onset of rhinitis and asthma, with rhinitis frequently preceding the development of asthma. Patients with allergic rhinitis and no clinical evidence of asthma commonly exhibit nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The new clinical practice guidelines for asthma entitled “Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma” recommend – treatment of rhinitis to improve asthma control and early treatment of allergies is likely to prevent asthma development. This module discusses the pathogenesis linking asthma and rhinitis and essential treatment for both these conditions.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this activity participant is likely to understand:
• The etiopathogenesis of asthma and rhinitis
• Clinical correlation of asthma and rhinitis
• Treatment modalities implemented for prevention and controlling symptoms of asthma and rhinitis