To investigate the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in children with asthma, and the impact of the disease and its treatment on asthma control, researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of 203 children, aged 5-18 years, with asthma.

The survey included validated questionnaires on rhinitis symptoms and its treatment, and the paediatric Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) for asthma symptoms.

Immediately after filling the questionnaire, pulmonary function was tested and fraction of nitric oxide in exhaled air (FeNO) and specific IgE levels were assessed.

The following results were reported:

• 157 children (76.2%) had symptoms of allergic rhinitis but only 88 of these (56.1%) had been diagnosed with the condition by a physician.

• ACQ scores were worse in children with allergic rhinitis than in those without the condition (p=0.012).

• An ACQ score ≥1.0 (incomplete asthma control) was significantly more likely in children with allergic rhinitis than in those without (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.28 to 5.91, p=0.0081), also after adjustment for FeNO levels and total serum IgE.

• After adjustment for nasal corticosteroid therapy, allergic rhinitis was no longer associated with incomplete asthma control (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.12, p=0.150).

The authors conclude that allergic rhinitis and asthma often coexist and the presence of allergic rhinitis is often associated with poor asthma control. The authors suggest that recognition and treatment of allergic rhinitis with nasal corticosteroids may improve asthma control in children, but randomised clinical trials are needed to test this hypothesis.