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Chronic Rhinitis: An Underrecognized Association with Fibromyalgia

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We prospectively studied 47 consecutive patients with either seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis or nonallergic rhinitis in a general allergy clinic. A diagnostic questionnaire was administered for symptoms of rhinitis and fibromyalgia, and patients were examined for tender points. A history of congestion was present in 91%, rhinorrhea in 87%, and postnasal drip in 83%. Forty-nine percent had a history of diffuse, aching pain, or tiredness for at least 3 months; 49% percent had 11 or more tender points; and 38% had both a history of wide-spread pain plus 11 or more tender points (the 1990 criteria of the American College of Rheumatology for fibromyalgia). This frequency is much higher than the expected 4 to 5% prevalence of fibromyalgia in a general population. Seventy-nine percent of all subjects were skin-test positive to inhalant allergens, but positive skin tests alone did not correlate with, the number of tender points or criteria for fibromyalgia. Rhinitis, rather than atopy, is associated with fibromyalgia and may be an underdiagnosed, but important causative factor.

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 01 September 1992

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  • Allergy and Asthma Proceedings is a peer reviewed publication dedicated to distributing timely scientific research regarding advancements in the knowledge and practice of allergy, asthma and immunology. Its primary readership consists of allergists and pulmonologists.

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    Featured topics include asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, food allergies, allergic skin diseases, diagnostic techniques, allergens, and treatment modalities. Published material includes peer-reviewed original research, clinical trials and review articles.

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    The journal is indexed in Thomson Reuters Web of Science and Science Citation Index Expanded, plus the National Library of Medicine's PubMed service.
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