Allergic Rhinitis and Nasal Polyps Linked to Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Study
Researchers have confirmed in a new study that common nasal diseases, such as allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps, are highly associated with chronic respiratory disease conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease (ILD), and bronchiectasis. The findings highlight the potential role of nasal conditions in respiratory disease, and more research and early interventions are needed. The study was conducted by Fang Ren and fellow researchers published in the journal of BMC Pulmonary Medicine.
The study used a two-sample Mendelian randomization to examine the association between allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, and chronic sinusitis with various chronic respiratory diseases. Summary data on chronic respiratory diseases were obtained from the UK Biobank, comprising participants of European descent. To confirm the findings, the data from the FinnGen R10 database were also analyzed. Statistical methods used were the inverse variance weighted method, MR Egger method, and the weighted median method. Sensitivity analyses, e.g., Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept tests, leave-one-out analyses, and construction of funnel plots, were carried out to test the robustness of the results.
Key Findings
Allergic Rhinitis and Respiratory Diseases:
Asthma:
• UK Biobank: OR 1.082, 95% CI 1.072–1.092, P < 0.001
• FinnGen: OR 1.382, 95% CI 1.305–1.462, P < 0.001
COPD:
• UK Biobank: OR 1.003, 95% CI 1.001–1.006, P = 0.020
• FinnGen: OR 1.102, 95% CI 1.037–1.172, P = 0.002
ILD:
• UK Biobank: OR 1.013, 95% CI 1.010–1.017, P < 0.001
• FinnGen: OR 1.152, 95% CI 1.035–1.283, P = 0.010
Nasal Polyps and Respiratory Diseases:
COPD:
• UK Biobank: OR 1.003, 95% CI 1.001–1.004, P < 0.001
• FinnGen: OR 1.092, 95% CI 1.050–1.136, P < 0.001
Bronchiectasis:
• UK Biobank: OR 1.000, 95% CI 1.000–1.001, P = 0.036
• FinnGen: OR 1.109, 95% CI 1.022–1.203, P = 0.013
This research underlines the major associations of allergic rhinitis with respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, and ILD and between nasal polyps and COPD and bronchiectasis. It points to the relevance of viewing nasal diseases as part of a wider respiratory perspective. More work must be undertaken to elucidate the biological pathways involved and effective prevention and therapeutic interventions for persons at risk for chronic respiratory diseases.
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