Asthma and allergy often occur together. People with allergic rhinitis, atopic eczema, food allergy and those who have asthma running in the family are at risk of developing asthma. Allergy is the most common cause of triggering asthma.

Bronchial asthma and rhinosinusitis are common respiratory diseases that often coexist. Furthermore and of considerable interest is the possibility that severity of asthma is influenced by the upper airway diseases. The influence and interaction between asthma and rhinitis exist with chronic rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis, viral and Bacterial respiratory tract infection. These observations raise the possibility, that events in the upper respiratory tract can influence lower respiratory tract. It’s now being appreciated the concept of one airway and one disease, also known as Allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma (ARIA). We have conducted a study to assess Atopy by measuring serum IgE levels & esinophils in asthma and rhinosinusitis patients and comparing the two groups.

Keywords: Atopy, Allergic rhinitis, Asthma, Rhinosinusitis, serum IgE, Eosinophils.

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Dr Shahzad Hussain Arastu

Assistant Professor of Pulmonology, Shadan Institute of Medical Science, Hyderabad, India