%0 Journal Article %A Kazuto Matsunaga %A Asako Oka %A Tadashi Kamei %A Yukihiro Sakamoto %A Yoshiaki Minakata %T Risk factors of incomplete asthma control in asthmatic patients with allergic rhinitis %D 2013 %J European Respiratory Journal %P P854 %V 42 %N Suppl 57 %X Background: Allergic rhinitis is common in asthma and has a major impact on asthma control, but risk factors that contribute to poor asthma control have not been fully examined. Objective: To investigate the determinants of incomplete asthma control in patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis. Methods: A cross-sectional survey in 410 patients with asthma using Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide fraction (FENO), and questionnaires on rhinitis symptoms based on Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) criteria. Results: A total of 260 patients (63.4%) had allergic rhinitis. Compared to the populations without rhinitis, asthma patients with allergic rhinitis showed more severe asthma symptoms (ACQ) and more airway inflammation (FENO)(all p < 0.01), and 108 of these (41.5%) were classified as incompletely controlled asthma (ACQ score ≥ 0.75). Patients with incomplete asthma control had more airflow limitation (p < 0.005), more airway inflammation, and more severe rhinitis symptoms (all p < 0.001) despite receiving more intensive asthma treatment. By contrast, patients with well controlled asthma were more likely to be taking nasal corticosteroids (p < 0.01). The ARIA classification of rhinitis (persistence and severity of symptoms), the FENO levels, and non-use of nasal steroids were identified to be the determinants of incomplete asthma control. Conclusions: The persistence and severity of rhinitis and the lower airway inflammation measured by FENO were associated with incomplete asthma control in asthmatic patients with allergic rhinitis, particularly if patients were not receiving nasal steroid therapy. %U https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/42/Suppl_57/P854.full.pdf