Exercise Induced Changes in Spirometry and Impulse Oscillometry Measurements in Persistent Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

The Link between allergic rhinitis and asthma is well known. Bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) may be present in rhinitis. The present study was aimed to compare airway responses in patients with rhinitis symptoms alone following exercise challenge, and to determine relationship of two different respiratory function tests. 98 subjects with rhinitis were investigated by spirometry and impulse oscillometry before and after exercise challenge. No significant difference was detected between spirometry and impulse oscillometry measurements before and after exercise challenge in subjects with rhinitis alone. No correlation between spirometry and impulse oscillometry indices was found in pre and post- exercise stages. We therefore conclude that exercise challenge is not an appropriate test to determine airway hyperresponsive in subjects with rhinitis symptoms alone and findings of spirometry and impulse oscillometry are not interrelated.

Keywords

• Bronchial provocation tests
• Oscillometry
• Respiratory tract diseases
• Rhinitis
• Spirometry