Rhinosinusitis and asthma: epiphenomenon or causal association?

Janus looks both ways: How do the upper and lower airways interact?

Our understanding of the relationship between the upper and lower airways has greatly increased as a consequence of epidemiologic and pharmacologic studies. A consistent body of scientific evidence supports the concept that rhinitis, rhinosinusitis and asthma may be the expression of a common inflammatory process, which manifests at different sites of the respiratory tract, at different times. This paradigm states that allergic reactions may begin at the local mucosa, but tend to propagate along the airway. Central to the allergic diathesis is the eosinophil and its interaction with the airway epithelium. The implications of the interplay between upper and lower airway are not only academic, but also important for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons. Furthermore, there is significant overlap in symptomatology and pathophysiology for childhood sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and asthma. Recent evidence supports an association between these two conditions, but causality has not been demonstrated. Regardless, it is important to recognize the overlap and evaluate for the other condition when one is present. In children with poorly controlled asthma, the presence of SDB may significantly contribute to asthma morbidity and, as such, should be actively excluded. On the other hand, clinical evaluation for asthma should be considered in children with SDB. Future robust longitudinal research is needed to explore the association between upper and lower airway diseases using objective measures in children.

Wet Cough and Nasal Symptoms in Children: Can We Do Better?

The causes of chronic cough in children are mainly dependent on the setting and age of the child. Protracted bacterial bronchitis is a frequent cause of morbidity in childhood, and antibiotic treatment is beneficial. Prompt recognition and early treatment is important both to prevent inappropriate use of asthma medications and also progression to bronchiectasis, but the diagnosis should not be made uncritically, because chronic wet cough is not necessarily due to lower airway disease. Upper Airway Cough Syndrome (UACS) is considered by some to cause chronic cough in childhood. Underlying UACS are many common conditions, including allergic rhinitis, adenoiditis and rhinosinusitis. Diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical criteria that are relatively sensitive but non-specific. The role of nasal endoscopy in children with chronic cough and signs suggesting UACS is unclear. Nasal saline solution irrigation is commonly used in UACS, but most studies have methodological biases, and efficacy data are scanty. Randomized controlled trials are urgently required. However, if saline washes, rather than oral antibiotics, can effectively treat some children with wet cough associated with upper airway conditions, antibiotic resistance could potentially be reduced. There is a need to further study wet cough and not to assume it to be equivalent to lower airway infection in all children.

The Lung Function Impairment in Non-Atopic Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Its Correlation Analysis

Objectives

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is common disease in otorhinolaryngology and will lead to lower airway abnormality. However, the only lung function in CRS patients and associated factors have not been much studied.

Methods

One hundred patients with CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP group), 40 patients with CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP group), and 100 patients without CRS were enrolled. The difference in lung function was compared. Meanwhile, CRSwNP and CRSsNP group were required to undergo a bronchial provocation or dilation test. Additionally, subjective and objective outcomes were measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS), 20-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20), Lund-Mackay score, Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score. The correlation and regression methods were used to analyze the relationship between their lung function and the above parameters.

Results

The forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF_25-75) of CRSwNP group were significantly lower than other groups (P<0.05). On peak expiratory flow, there was no difference between three groups. In CRSwNP group, FEV₁ was negatively correlated with peripheral blood eosinophil count (PBEC) and duration of disease (r=–0.348, P=0.013 and r=–0.344, P=0.014, respectively), FEF_25-75 negatively with VAS, SNOT-20 (r=–0.490, P=0.028 and r=–0.478, P=0.033, respectively) in CRSsNP group. The incidence of positive bronchial provocation and dilation test was lower in CRSwNP group (10% and 0%, respectively), with both 0% in CRSsNP group. The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that change ratio of FEV₁ before and after bronchial provocation or dilation test were correlated with PBEC in CRSwNP group (β=0.403, P=0.006).

Conclusion

CRS leading to impaired maximum ventilation and small airway is associated with the existence of nasal polyp. Lung function impairments can be reflected by PBEC, duration, VAS, and SNOT-20. In CRSwNP patients, PBEC is independent predictor of FEV₁ change ratio.

Relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis and lower airway diseases: An extensive review

Significant links between allergic rhinitis and asthma have been reported, and the united airway disease hypothesis is supported by numerous findings in epidemiologic, physiologic, pathologic, and immunologic studies. The impact of allergic rhinitis on asthma has been established. On the other hand, the relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis and lung diseases has been under investigation. Chronic rhinosinusitis is a common disease, and the high prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis in some kinds of lung diseases has been reported. Recent studies suggest that the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis has beneficial effects in the management of asthma. Here, we present an overview of the current research on the relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis and lower airway diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, diffuse panbronchiolitis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, idiopathic bronchiectasis, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Management of bacterial infections in children with asthma

Respiratory viruses are the single most common causes of asthma exacerbations in children. Rhinovirus-induced wheezing is a risk factor for chronic asthma, but its mechanism has remained unknown. Human bocavirus is a common finding in wheezing children, but its role as a respiratory pathogen is still unclear. Mycoplasma pneumoniae may, like viruses, induce wheezing and asthma exacerbation. Chlamydia pneumoniae and, in recent studies, Chlamydia trachomatis, may not only induce asthma exacerbations but may also be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic asthma. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis are often involved in respiratory infections associated with wheezing, but there is no evidence for their active role in asthma pathogenesis or exacerbation. This review summarizes current knowledge on the association between respiratory infections and asthma in children, with a special focus on the role of antibiotics in incipient asthma, asthma exacerbation and chronic stable asthma.

Survey of outcome of asthmatic children referred to outpatient clinic of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

This study was designed to follow patients regarding to achieving control, identify disease exacerbations and discover relation between exacerbation and risk factors. In a cross sectional-analytic study, 400 asthmatic patients in the range of 2-14 years old who were visited at the specialized outpatient clinic of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were divided and studied on the base of disease severity. At the end (at least one year treatment), patients were categorized based on level of disease control and one year after this stage, cases of exacerbation were identified and studied. By excluding patients with poor adherence, 342 patients continued treatment as intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent and severe persistent asthma (38, 235, 61 and 8 patients, respectively). After a period of one year treatment, the patients were divided as well controlled, partly controlled and uncontrolled (68, 30 and 2%, respectively). Cases of disease exacerbations were more if sinusitis, familial asthma history and poor adherence were present (p < 0.01, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). There is meaningful association between poor adherence, sinusitis and positive family history of asthma with disease exacerbation.

Important research questions in allergy and related diseases: nonallergic rhinitis: a GA2LEN paper

Nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) can be defined as a chronic nasal inflammation which is not caused by systemic IgE-dependent mechanisms. It is common and probably affects far more than 200 million people worldwide. Both children and adults are affected. However, its exact prevalence is unknown and its phenotypes need to be evaluated using appropriate methods to better understand its pathophysiology, diagnosis and management. It is important to differentiate between infectious rhinitis, allergic/NAR and chronic rhinosinusitis, as management differs for each of these cases. Characterization of the phenotype, mechanisms and management of NAR represents one of the major unmet needs in allergic and nonallergic diseases. Studies on children and adults are required in order to appreciate the prevalence, phenotype, severity and co-morbidities of NAR. These studies should compare allergic and NAR and consider different age group populations including elderly subjects. Mechanistic studies should be carried out to better understand the disease(s) and risk factors and to guide towards an improved diagnosis and therapy. These studies need to take the heterogeneity of NAR into account. It is likely that neuronal mechanisms, T cells, innate immunity and possibly auto-immune responses all play a role in NAR and may also contribute to the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Laryngitis: types, causes, and treatments

Inflammatory processes that affect the unified airway can concurrently exert significant influence on the larynx and surrounding mucosal surfaces. Laryngeal inflammation can be present secondary to direct effects of irritants, toxins, and antigens, but can also involve mechanical and infectious effects as well as secondary inflammation from behavioral mechanisms. This review examines laryngeal inflammation in the context of the unified airway and discusses pathophysiologic mechanisms that are central to the development of acute and chronic laryngitis.

Difficult asthma: possible association with rhinosinusitis

Difficult asthma is rare in childhood; when child's asthma is difficult to control, review of the diagnosis and evaluation of the different risk factors for exacerbations are recommended. The relationship between rhinosinusitis and bronchial asthma is provided by epidemiologic data. Doubts persist as to whether rhinosinusitis worsens asthma, or whether these are manifestations in different parts of the respiratory tract of the same underlying disease process. However, nasal sinus disease may contribute to less control in asthma, and patients with severe asthma appear to have the most prominent abnormalities on computed tomography scanning of the paranasal sinuses. From a pathogenetic point of view, many inflammatory mediators and the cellular infiltrate are often the same in the two entities, with a relevant role probably played by eosinophils. Antibiotic treatment of chronic sinus disease in asthmatic children may improve subjective asthmatic symptoms, lung function, and decrease bronchial hyperreactivity. Scientific evidence confirms that there may be an association between asthma and sinusitis even in childhood asthma: this could be relevant for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

The Prevalence and Effect of Asthma on Adults with Chronic Rhinosinusitis

We conducted a retrospective review of 145 consecutively presenting adults treated for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in a tertiary care institution. Our goals were to determine (1) the prevalence of asthma in these patients, (2) the prevalence of specific CRS symptoms in both asthmatic and nonasthmatic patients, and (3) the frequency of surgical treatment for CRS in patients with and without asthma. We found that asthma was present in 23.4% of CRS patients, a much higher rate than the 5% prevalence of asthma in the general adult population. Patients with asthma had a significantly higher prevalence of nasal polyps (47 vs. 22%; p = 0.004), olfactory dysfunction (26 vs. 6%; p = 0.001), and nasal congestion (85 vs. 60%; p = 0.027) than did those without asthma. Patients without asthma had a significantly higher prevalence of headache (72 vs. 53%; p = 0.037) and rhinorrhea (58 vs. 38%; p = 0.047). The prevalence of postnasal drip and environmental allergies in the two groups was similar. Although the difference between the proportions of patients with and without asthma who required primary sinus surgery was not statistically significant (76 vs. 64%; p = 0.175), patients with asthma did require significantly more revision sinus procedures overall (mean: 2.9 vs. 1.5; p = 0.003).

Nasal symptoms and signs in children suffering from asthma

OBJECTIVE

A link between the upper and lower airways has been convincingly demonstrated both in health and disease. To what extent the nose may be involved in children's asthma, has so far not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we compared symptoms and signs from the upper airways in children with asthma and in children without to find out more about this.

METHODS

The study group included 27 asthmatic children, the control group 29 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers. The children were investigated by a senior ENT-specialist. Their parents completed questionnaires about symptoms and signs of upper airway disorders. Skin prick tests, total IgE, acoustic rhinometry, and an X-ray of the epipharynx were performed. The data from the groups were compared.

RESULTS

Nasal blockage, mouth breathing, day time sleepiness, apnoeas, itching, sneezing, and hearing impairment were more prevalent in asthmatics compared with controls (p<0.05). For nasal blockage the mean VAS-scores were 52.4 and 30.6 for asthmatics and controls, respectively. For daytime sleepiness the corresponding figures were 34.6 and 23.1. The adenoid-nasopharynx-index was larger, indicating reduced palatal airway in the former compared with the latter (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

As the site of upper airway obstruction in asthmatic children appears to be the epipharynx, the adenoids may play a key-role.

An assessment of sinus quality of life and pulmonary function in children with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Treatment of patents with cystic fibrosis (CF) is primarily directed at the lungs. However, there is a growing feeling that the status of the sinuses may have a profound influence on the status of the lungs in these patients. A number of investigators have demonstrated a relationship among coexisting rhinitis, sinusitis, other upper airway conditions, and lung disease. Several studies have shown that treatment and resolution of sinusitis results in an improvement in a number of pulmonary conditions. We hypothesize that pulmonary function test scores will be lower in patients with CF with more severe sinusitis.

METHODS

Consecutive CF patients were asked to complete a sinus-specific quality-of-life instrument, the 16-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-16), and these scores, were compared to FEV, scores.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between SNOT-16 and FEV1 in patients under the age of 12. There was a trend toward significance in the older children and evaluation of the raw data shows that children with the highest FEV, had the lowest SNOT-16.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that the severity of sinus disease correlates with the severity of pulmonary disease in CF patients under the age of 12. We plan to use the SNOT-16 to assess sinus interventions on pulmonary status.

Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis in asthma: differential effects on symptoms and pulmonary function

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are frequently associated with asthma. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of self-reported allergic rhinitis and sinusitis on lower airway disease in a large cohort of participants with well-characterized asthma.

METHODS

A cohort study of participants in two trials of the American Lung Association-Asthma Clinical Research Centers: 2,031 asthmatics in the Safety of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine in Asthma in Adults and Children (SIIVA) trial and 488 asthmatics in the Effectiveness of Low Dose Theophylline as Add-on Treatment in Asthma (LODO) trial. At baseline, participants reported the presence of allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, and then lung function and asthma control were measured. During the trials, participants were monitored for asthma exacerbations.

RESULTS

More than 70% of participants reported either allergic rhinitis or sinusitis. Sinusitis was more common in female patients (odds ratio, 1.46 [SIIVA]), those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (odds ratio, 2.21 [SIIVA]), and those of white race (odds ratio, 1.53 [SIIVA]). Similar associations were seen for allergic rhinitis. LODO participants with allergic rhinitis and sinusitis had increased asthma symptoms and a trend toward more sleep disturbance. Participants with allergic rhinitis had higher baseline lung function than those without allergic rhinitis measured by peak flow (91.2% vs 95.8% in the SIIVA trial). Participants with sinusitis had similar lung function to those without sinusitis. Participants with and without allergic rhinitis had similar exacerbation rates. In the LODO trial only, participants with sinusitis had increased asthma exacerbations (5.68 per patient per year vs 3.72 per patient per year).

CONCLUSION

Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are associated with more severe asthmatic symptoms and, in patients with poorly controlled asthma, more exacerbations but are not associated with low lung function.

Links between bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis in the Oita Prefecture, Japan

Recent studies have strengthened the concept that bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis are manifestations of an inflammatory process within a continuous airway. This study was performed to compare clinical findings in asthma with or without rhinitis in Japan. Nasal symptoms were present in 99.6% of asthma patients. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in patients with asthma was 52.4%. Bronchial asthma attacks in one third of patients with rhinitis were coincident with worsening of nasal symptoms. In adults (> 16 years of age), rhinitis frequently preceded asthma, whereas asthma preceded rhinitis in children (< 16 years of age). The frequency of rhinitis in asthma decreases with increasing age. This study demonstrated a clear link between upper and lower airway disorders in Japan.

[Asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis. Concept of the "unified respiratory tracts"]

Epidemiological studies indicate that allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) is an important risk factor for bronchial asthma. Both asthma and ARC have now been recognized as inflammatory diseases with similar manifestations in the mucous membranes of the upper (nose and paranasal sinuses) and lower respiratory tract (bronchi). Recent studies show that the deposition of allergen into the lower respiratory tract leads to increased inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, even if the patients are only suffering from ARC. These and other findings indicate that allergic diseases have a systemic component, which might be insufficiently targeted with local therapy. It is currently believed that the impaired function of the upper airways due to ARC causing nasal obstruction, retention of secretions, and disturbed conditioning of the inspired air plays an important role in the development of lower airway symptoms. Studies indicate that treatment of the upper respiratory tract inflammation not only reduces the manifestation of allergen-associated symptoms in the lower respiratory tract, but might also have preventive properties if applied early. ARC should no longer be viewed as a harmless disorder but as the early manifestation of a potentially progressive systemic disease and be treated as such.

Correlation between nasal symptoms and asthma severity in patients with atopic and nonatopic asthma

BACKGROUND

The association between allergic rhinitis and asthma has been well recognized, and it has been postulated that rhinitis may worsen asthma.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the severity of asthma among patients with atopic and nonatopic asthma with and without nasal symptoms.

METHODS

Atopic asthmatic patients and nonatopic asthmatic patients were identified from the records of a university-based asthma clinic. A comparison of demographic clinical features was made within and between these 2 asthmatic groups, dichotomized according to the presence or absence of rhinitis.

RESULTS

A total of 178 patients were classified as having atopic asthma and 218 as having nonatopic asthma. The atopic asthmatic patients with nasal symptoms compared with those without had a higher mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), a higher forced vital capacity (FVC), and a higher FEV1/FVC ratio, used fewer oral steroids, and had fewer hospitalizations. The nonatopic asthmatic patients with nasal symptoms compared with those without used more inhaled steroids (and they were also more likely to have nasal polyps on examination). Atopic, relative to nonatopic, asthmatic patients were younger, had a longer duration of asthma, had a higher FEV1/FVC ratio, and took fewer oral steroids.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to current hypotheses, in this study the severity of asthma among atopic asthmatic patients was less in those with nasal symptoms. Conversely, among the nonatopic asthmatic patients, asthma was more severe among those with nasal symptoms than those without nasal symptoms.

How should nasal symptoms be investigated in asthma? A comparison of radiologic and endoscopic findings

BACKGROUND

To improve asthma control, the management of rhinosinusitis often leads the physician to perform sinonasal imaging and/or nasal endoscopy, but their respective contributions are still insufficiently understood.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the potential contribution of a symptoms questionnaire, sinus radiography (SR) and computed tomography (CT) scan to the diagnosis of nasal diseases in asthmatic patients when compared with ENT examination.

METHODS

A total of 124 patients completed a questionnaire on nasal symptoms administered by the chest physician. Then, they underwent ENT examination. On the same day, SR and CT scans were performed independently.

RESULTS

Patients (80.3%) had nasal symptoms during the month preceding the consultation. The ENT examination was normal in 8.1% (n = 10) and revealed rhinitis in 57.3% (n = 71), rhinosinusitis in 14.5% (n = 18) and nasal polyposis in 20.2% (n = 25). For rhinitis, the negative predictive value of bilateral nasal obstruction was 87.8%. Both SR and CT had low sensitivity and specificity. For rhinosinusitis, the negative predictive value of nasal symptoms varied from 85.4 to 95.2%. Sinus CT was at least as accurate as SR for the diagnosis of rhinosinusitis. In a multivariate analysis, only the CT scan (score > or =12) appeared to be significantly associated with the diagnosis of nasal polyposis.

CONCLUSION

In asthmatic patients, physicians need to enquire systematically about the existence of nasal symptoms by using this simple questionnaire which is sensitive for rhinitis, and has good negative predictive value for excluding rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis: management for optimal outcomes

Chronic rhinosinusitis is characterized by nasal purulence accompanied by malaise, postnasal drip and nasal dryness or crusting. It is a condition that is very difficult to treat and can be very disabling to the patients. A clinical diagnosis is based on history and evaluation with endoscopy, and computerized tomographic scanning. The etiology of chronic rhinosinusitis is multifactorial and comprises a vicious cycle of pathophysiological, anatomical, and constitutive factors. Predisposing factors include ciliary impairment, allergy, nasal polyposis, and immune deficiency. Treatment is aimed at reducing mucosal inflammation and swelling, controlling infection, and restoring aeration of the nasal and sinus mucosa. The choice of treatment is influenced by many factors including past medication, duration of symptoms and the presence of allergy/nasal polyps. Pharmacologic treatment, with local or systemic corticosteroids such as mometasone furoate, fluticasone propionate, beclometasone dipropionate or oral prednisolone coupled with nasal lavage with isotonic saline solutions are the cornerstones of disease management. Systemic antibiotics including amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (cotrimoxazole) are often administered to patients with chronic sinusitis and underlying bacterial infection. In patients with underlying allergy, additional treatment with antihistamines should be considered. Aeration of the sinuses may temporarily be improved with local nasal decongestants such as oxymetazoline. If symptoms persist after aggressive medical treatment, surgery should be considered. Surgery should be functional and involve widening the natural drainage openings of the sinuses and preserving the ciliated epithelium as much as possible. In the case of nasal polyposis surgery is more aggressive involving removal of the diseased polypous mucosa. It is recommended that medical treatment should be continued post sinus surgery.

Severe rhinosinusitis

Rhinosinusitis is diagnosed frequently in clinical practice, but the term may in fact encompass a wide spectrum of diseases. Inflammation of the nasal and sinus mucosa can arise from various causes and lead to different sequelae. Moreover, the term rhinosinusitis is more accurate than sinusitis. Causes range from a viral infection leading to the common cold to an invasive, fungal infection. An accurate diagnosis is important because effective therapy is available if recognized early and if specific therapy is used. Importantly, there is a close relationship between upper and lower airway disease and each have unique structural and functional differences that make an understanding of rhinosinusitis important not only for upper airway disease, but also for the management of asthma. All too often, rhinosinusitis becomes chronic and this becomes a challenge because medical therapy may not be sufficient to control disease. Finally, we should note that the differential diagnosis of rhinosinusitis is extensive and physicians should place heavy emphasis not only on the history, but also on appropriate imaging studies. A normal exam does not rule out the possibility of rhinosinusitis. Finally, we should emphasize that effective treatment is dependent on the etiology of the symptoms but also dependent on whether it is acute or chronic.

Comparison of nasal and oral inhalation during exhaled breath condensate collection

Analysis of exhaled breath condensate is a method for noninvasive assessment of the lung. Condensate can be collected with a nose clip (subjects inhale and exhale via the mouth) or without it (subjects inhale via the nose and exhale via the mouth), but the mode of inhalation may influence condensate volume and mediator levels. We compared condensate volume and adenosine, ammonia, and thromboxane B2 levels in young healthy volunteers (n = 25) in samples collected for 10 minutes from subjects with or without a nose clip. Patients with allergic rhinitis (n = 8) were also studied to assess the effect of upper airway inflammation on mediator levels. Adenosine, ammonia, and thromboxane B2 levels were determined by HPLC, spectrophotometry, and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Volume of condensate was significantly higher without nose clip than that with nose clip (mean +/- SD, 2321 +/- 736 microl and 1746 +/- 400 microl, respectively; p = 0.0001). We found no significant difference in any mediator levels between these two collection modes in healthy volunteers, but adenosine showed a tendency to differ between oral and nasal inhalation in patients with allergic rhinitis. Our data indicate that whereas a greater volume of condensate can be obtained when subjects inhale through their noses, the mode of inhalation does not influence mediator levels in young healthy volunteers, but may affect these levels in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Concomitant chronic sinusitis treatment in children with mild asthma: the effect on bronchial hyperresponsiveness

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have suggested that aggressive treatment of sinusitis can decrease bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). However, there is still too little evidence to draw this conclusion, and the concept remains controversial.

DESIGN

A prospective, open-label study.

SETTING

University children's hospital allergy and immunology center and radiologic department.

PATIENTS

Sixty-one children with mild asthma and allergic rhinitis participated in the study. Forty-one of these 61 children had sinusitis, and the remainder had no sinusitis. Ten matched, nonatopic, healthy children were used as a control group.

INTERVENTION

Children with chronic sinusitis were placed into two groups. One group was treated with amoxicillin-clavulanate for 6 weeks and then with nasal saline solution irrigation for 6 weeks. For the other group, the treatment order was reversed. Children without chronic sinusitis received nasal saline solution irrigation for 12 weeks.

MEASUREMENTS

Clinical symptoms and signs of sinusitis, FEV(1), and BHR were analyzed in the patients before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The clinical symptoms and signs of sinusitis, but not FEV(1), showed a significant improvement after antibiotic treatment. After aggressive treatment for sinusitis, it was found that the provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV(1) of children with mild asthma and sinusitis was significantly higher after treatment.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that every asthmatic patient needs to carefully evaluate to determine whether the patient has concomitant sinusitis. Respiratory infections that meet criteria for sinusitis, even if they do not exacerbate asthma, should be treated. It is suggested that sinusitis should always be kept in mind as a possible inducible factor for BHR, and that aggressive treatment of chronic sinusitis is indicated when dealing with an asthmatic patient who shows an unpredictable response to appropriate treatment. Moreover, the findings of this study provide more evidence for an association between sinusitis and asthma with respect to BHR.

Paediatric problems of cough

All children cough, but most children are normal. In a child with isolated cough, a detailed history and examination, followed in a small number of cases by targeted investigations, should allow the child to be placed in one of five diagnostic categories. These are normal child; the child with a serious illness such as cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis etc. the child with non-serious, but treatable causes of cough and wheeze, for example gastro-oesophageal reflux or postnasal drip; the child with an asthma syndrome and an overestimation of symptoms for psychological or other reasons by either or both of child or family. Treatment is of the underlying condition if appropriate. Non-specific treatment with cough syrups are not useful. Attention to environmental factors such as active and passive smoking, and exposure to dust and pets is important. The diagnosis of cough variant asthma should only be made in older children after variable airflow obstruction and response to bronchodilator has been demonstrated physiologically. In younger children, rational diagnostic criteria are an abnormally increased cough, with no evidence of any non-asthma diagnosis, a clear-cut response to a therapeutic trial of asthma medication, usually moderate dose inhaled corticosteroids, and relapse on stopping medications with second response to recommencing them. Some such children go on to develop more typical asthma, with wheeze and bronchial hyper-reactivity. It is important however, not to over-diagnose asthma in children who in fact have a chronic non-specific cough. Such children require no treatment, get better with time, and have normal long-term lung function.

Presence of cysteinyl leukotrienes in asthmatic patients with chronic sinusitis

INTRODUCTION

The association between asthma and sinusitis has long been recognized. Numerous studies point to a complex, yet undeniable relationship between asthma and chronic sinusitis and rhinitis. There have also been extensive attempts to characterize the inflammatory mechanisms of both disorders. Increasingly, the cysteinyl leukotrienes, a potent group of inflammatory mediators, have gained attention as important contributors to the manifestation of both disorders. Leukotriene production has been shown to be upregulated in the bronchial tissue of asthmatics. Our study sought to determine if leukotriene production was increased in the sinus mucosa of asthmatics with chronic sinusitis.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study.

METHODS

Nasal polyp tissue was evaluated from 27 consecutive patients undergoing elective polypectomy. The presence of asthma was determined by patient history, their medical record, and use of asthma medication. Sinus tissue was extracted during the course of endoscopic surgery. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLT) were quantified by a sensitive competitive enzyme immunoassay, and the levels of CysLT were compared in the group with and without asthma.

RESULTS

Cysteinyl leukotrienes were detected in 23 of 27 patients. The average level of LTC4 in non-asthmatic patients was 25.6 picograms (pg)/g. The average amount of LTC4 in asthmatic patients with sinusitis was 19.2 pg/g. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P =.64).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of asthma does not correlate with increased levels of leukotrienes in the sinus mucosa of patients with chronic sinusitis.

Rhinitis, sinusitis and asthma: one linked airway disease

Understanding the relationship between upper and lower airways has greatly increased through epidemiological and pharmacological studies. Scientific evidence supports the concept that rhinosinusitis and asthma may be the expression of an inflammatory process which appears in different sites of the respiratory tract at different times. The implications are not only academic but are important for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Current controversies: sinus disease and the lower airways

This review explores the literature dealing with the relation between the upper and lower airways, including the possible link between chronic sinus disease and asthma, and between chronic sinus disease and cough. Imaging studies, microbiology, epidemiology, animal studies, and effects of treatment are discussed. Available studies do not prove that upper airway disease directly causes lower airway pathology. Allergic rhinitis causing nasal blockage needs treatment, as does symptomatic sinus disease. Where there is concurrent disease of the upper and lower airways, both conditions need to be treated adequately. Further research is required to establish the relation between upper and lower airways, and animal models may help to unravel the mechanisms and impact of treatment. Randomized, blinded, controlled trials are needed in both children and adults to assess therapies of chronic sinusitis and the response of asthma.

Difficult asthma: defining the problems

A retrospective survey was undertaken of children with difficult asthma, attending a respiratory clinic. The clinical and laboratory profiles of asthmatic children who were poorly controlled on > or = 800 microg of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) were studied and compared to children well-controlled on > or = 800 microg ICS. Assessments were made of atopy, growth, lung function, treatment adherence, home environment, and responsiveness to corticosteroids (CS). Fiftyseven "difficult" and 23 well-controlled children were studied. Significant differences in the home environment were identified. Smoking was significantly more common in the difficult-to-control group. Nine children had alternative diagnoses. Poor CS responsiveness was present in 10 children. Adverse home environments, poor treatment supervision, alternative diagnoses, and unresponsiveness to CS were the most important factors in difficult asthma. A full assessment, including bronchoscopy, is indicated to avoid unnecessary increases in CS to doses that could cause side-effects.

Sinusitis and its relationship to asthma. Can treating one airway disease ameliorate another?

In a large percentage of patients with upper airway disease, asthma and sinusitis occur concomitantly. As many as 88% of patients with asthma exhibit the symptoms of rhinitis, and half of rhinitic patients have asthma. In this article, Dr Muller explores the interrelationship of sinusitis and asthma, including characteristics, mechanisms of action, and diagnosis, and provides suggestions for optimal treatment of both.