Allergic rhinitis is the most common of all atopic diseases and has been estimated to affect up to 20% of the adult population in the United States.<sup>61 Sly R.M. Changing prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1999 ;  82 : 233  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Although rhinitis was once considered to be a medical condition of trivial importance, now it is recognized to affect quality of life and impair physical and cognitive functioning.<sup>6 Bousquet J., Bullinger M., Fayol C. , e al. Assessment of quality of life in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis with the French version of the SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire J Allergy Clin Immunol 1994 ;  94 : 182  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 7 Bousquet J., Knani J., Dhivert H. , e al. Quality of life in asthma. I: Internal consistency and validity of the SF-36 questionnaire Am J Respir Cric Care Med 1994 ;  149 : 371

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> There also is growing evidence that allergic rhinitis is significantly associated with and may contribute to other airway diseases, including bronchial asthma, otitis media, sinusitis, and nasal polyposis.<sup>49 Rachelefsky G. National guidelines needed to manage rhinitis and prevent complications Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1999 ;  82 : 296  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> In the following article, these interrelationships are explored by reviewing and highlighting data from epidemiologic, mechanistic, and clinical studies.