Serotonin in Allergic Rhinitis: a Possible Role for Behavioural Symptoms

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a very frequent disease which is not only characterized by nasal symptoms, but also with behavioural changes. This study evaluated the serum serotonin levels in patients with pollen-induced AR during and outside the pollen season. One-hundred-two (56 females, 46 males, median age: 28.7 years) were included in this study: 56 with seasonal AR (SAR) evaluated outside the pollen season and so without allergic inflammation and symptoms, and 46 with SAR evaluated during the pollen season with symptoms. Blood specimens were collected to assess serum concentrations of serotonin and to compare results to scores of a Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire which was performed in all subjects. Serotonin serum concentration's were higher in AR patients out of pollen season than in (p<0.01). There was a very strong direct relationship between QoL and serotonin concentrations. This preliminary study demonstrates that SAR influences serotonin concentrations and that serum serotonin could serve as a biomarker in AR patients with behavioural symptoms.