Serum lipid profiles in patients with allergic rhinitis

INTRODUCTION: Inflammation is implicated in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Allergy is a systemic inflammatory condition, and this may potentiate cardiovascular disease. One of the possible mechanisms for this effect can be dyslipidemia. We aim to study the association of allergic rhinitis (AR) with dyslipidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 260 patients, 134 with AR and 126 controls were included in the study. The venous samples after overnight fasting were analyzed biochemically for lipids. RESULTS: Serum total cholesterol (P = 0.0312), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P = 0.0324), very LDL (P = 0.0352), and triglyceride (P = 0.0417) levels were significantly higher in patients with AR as compared to the controls. However, the values of high-density lipids were not statistically significant (P = 0.0696). CONCLUSION: Patients with AR have abnormal lipid profiles, which may play a role in the future development of cardiovascular complications in these patients.