Chronic stuffy nose may highlight asthma

Thursday December 23rd, 2010

A study in Sweden has found that severe asthma is more common than experts think.

Researchers asked 30,000 people in west Sweden about their health. Dr Jan Lotvall and the team at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, report their results in the journal Respiratory Research.

Dr Lotvall said: "This is the first time that the prevalence of severe asthma has been estimated in a population study, documenting that approximately two per cent of the population in the West Sweden is showing signs of severe asthma."

The team also discovered that nasal symptoms such as chronic rhinosinusitis - nasal congestion and a runny nose for a long period of time - could be a sign of severe asthma.

The risk is higher if it happens alongside wheezing, shortness of breath during exercise, and night-time wakings because of breathing problems.

"This argues that more severe forms of asthma are far more common than previously believed, and that health care professionals should pay extra attention to patients with such symptoms," Dr Lotvall added.

It's possible that this link between chronic nasal problems and severe asthma might shed light on a new aspect of the immune system, which could help in the development of new treatments, say the team.

"Effective treatment for troublesome nasal and sinus complaints could, in theory, reduce the risk of severe asthma, though this is something that needs further research," Dr Lotvall believes.

Lotvall, J. et al. Multi-symptom asthma is closely related to nasal blockage, rhinorrhea and symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis - evidence from the West Sweden Asthma Study. Respiratory Research, Vol. 11, November 2010.

Tags: Allergies & Asthma | Europe

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