Abstract:Objective To describe the differences of inflammatory characteristics between allergic rhinitis (AR) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR). Methods The differences of inflammatory characteristics between AR and NAR were assessed by using disease survey, skin prick test (SPT), visual analogue scale (VAS), eosinophil count of nasal douche, serum and induced sputum, nasal and bronchial provocation test separately. 101 AR patients, 117 NAR patients and 162 normal controls were included in this study. Results The eosinophils in nasal douche, induced sputum and serum of AR group were significantly higher than those of other two groups (P<0.05). At the same time, the eosinophils in nasal douche, induced sputum and serum of NAR group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Positive rate of nasal provocation test of AR group was 75.2%, which was higher than that of the NAR group (65.8%) without significant difference (P>0.05). But the positive rates of the AR and NAR groups were both significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). The positive rate of bronchial provocation test of AR group (14.9%) was higher than that of the NAR group (10.3% ), but the difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The positive rates of bronchial provocation test of AR and NAR group were also significantly higher than control group respectively (P<0.01). Conclusion Nasal, lower airway and systemic eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness exist in AR and NAR patients. The inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of AR was more serious than that of NAR. In clinical practice, we should concern about not only the nasal inflammation but also the status of the lower airway and systemic inflammation in patients with AR and NAR.