People who suffer from allergic rhinitis are three times more likely to develop asthma than a non-allergic individual.

A certain number of studies[1][2][3][4] have demonstrated the frequent coexistence of these two conditions. Although there are differences between allergic rhinitis and asthma, both are caused by a common inflammatory process affecting the upper and lower airways.

Therefore, managing allergic rhinitis may prevent the onset of asthma.

According to the ARIA guidelines

• Asthma should be looked for in patients suffering from persistent allergic rhinitis
• Rhinitis should be looked for in patients suffering from asthma

[1] [2] Greisner WA 3rd, Settipane RJ, Settipane GA. Co-existence of asthma and allergic rhinitis: a 23-year follow-up study of college students. Allergy Asthma Proc, 1998 ; 19(4): 185-8.
[3] Leynaert B et al. Lessons learnt from the French part of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). ACI Internat., 1999 ; 11/6: 218-225.
[4] O et al. A 10-years prognosis for childhood allergic rhinitis. Acta Paediatr Scand., 1992 ; 81: 100-2.