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BACKGROUND Nonasthmatic subjects with allergic rhinitis often have bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). The mechanisms responsible for BHR in asthma include genetic predisposition and airway inflammation, but the causes of BHR in allergic rhinitis are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a familial predisposition in allergic rhinitis-associated BHR. METHODS One hundred fifteen children with allergic rhinitis (probands) and their family members underwent methacholine bronchial challenge and skin prick tests with airborne allergens. The probands were divided into 2 groups: BHR(+) (methacholine PC20 <18 mg/mL determined by the dosimeter method; n = 42) and BHR(-) (n = 73). RESULTS The overall prevalence of BHR was higher in family members of BHR(+) probands than in those of BHR(-) probands (23.3% [27 of 116] vs 10.5% [21 of 200], P <.01). In mothers, this difference was marked (21.4% vs 8.2%, P <.05); a similar trend was observed in fathers (16.7% vs 6.8%) and siblings (34.4% vs 18.5%), although the differences did not reach significance (.05 < P <.1). The bronchial responsiveness index (BR index), a continuous variable derived from the results of methacholine challenge, was significantly higher among family members of the BHR(+) group than those of the BHR(-) group. Furthermore, even when only family members without BHR were considered, the BR index was significantly higher among those (n = 89) of the BHR(+) group than those (n = 179) of the BHR(-) group. There was no difference in atopic status as assessed by the prevalence of atopy (or atopy index) between family members of the BHR(+) group and the BHR(-) group. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that there is a significant familial predisposition for BHR among patients with allergic rhinitis. Further studies are needed to elucidate whether genetic factors play a role in allergic rhinitis-associated BHR.
Y Y Koh, and
M H Lee, and
C K Kim, and
Y G Min, and
Y K Kim, and
K U Min, and
Y Y Kim
August 2004,
Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology,
Y Y Koh, and
M H Lee, and
C K Kim, and
Y G Min, and
Y K Kim, and
K U Min, and
Y Y Kim
January 2011,
Journal of investigational allergology & clinical immunology,
Y Y Koh, and
M H Lee, and
C K Kim, and
Y G Min, and
Y K Kim, and
K U Min, and
Y Y Kim
February 1991,
The American review of respiratory disease,
Y Y Koh, and
M H Lee, and
C K Kim, and
Y G Min, and
Y K Kim, and
K U Min, and
Y Y Kim
December 2002,
Journal of Korean medical science,
Y Y Koh, and
M H Lee, and
C K Kim, and
Y G Min, and
Y K Kim, and
K U Min, and
Y Y Kim
January 2013,
American journal of rhinology & allergy,
Y Y Koh, and
M H Lee, and
C K Kim, and
Y G Min, and
Y K Kim, and
K U Min, and
Y Y Kim
April 2008,
Zhonghua er ke za zhi = Chinese journal of pediatrics,
Y Y Koh, and
M H Lee, and
C K Kim, and
Y G Min, and
Y K Kim, and
K U Min, and
Y Y Kim
July 1992,
The American review of respiratory disease,
Y Y Koh, and
M H Lee, and
C K Kim, and
Y G Min, and
Y K Kim, and
K U Min, and
Y Y Kim
January 2000,
The European respiratory journal,
Y Y Koh, and
M H Lee, and
C K Kim, and
Y G Min, and
Y K Kim, and
K U Min, and
Y Y Kim
October 2000,
The European respiratory journal,
Y Y Koh, and
M H Lee, and
C K Kim, and
Y G Min, and
Y K Kim, and
K U Min, and
Y Y Kim
August 2000,
The European respiratory journal,
