Both allergic and non-allergic rhinitis are associated with worse asthma control. However, it is unclear how IgE sensitization and/or rhinitis are associated with lung function. We therefore evaluated the effect of rhinitis and sensitization on lung function, including the periphery of the airway system, and inflammatory biomarkers in individuals with and without asthma.
Participants in the BAMSE longitudinal birth cohort study underwent measures of spirometry, impulse oscillometry, and FeNO at age 16 years. Questionnaires were used to obtain data on asthma and rhinitis. Blood samples were analyzed for eosinophils and allergen-specific IgE.
Groups based on the combination of asthma, rhinitis, and sensitization were compared to a healthy reference group. Lower FEV1 /FVC levels were seen for groups with asthma only (adjusted mean difference -2.8% units (95% CI -4.7; -1.0), P