Comparison of clinical traits for seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis during allergen exposure.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is traditionally subdivided into seasonal AR (SAR) and perennial AR (PAR) according to the type of allergen and the occurrence of symptoms during the year. There are currently no reports on the comparison of trait profiles for SAR and PAR during the allergen exposure. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of SAR and PAR during respective allergen exposure periods to provide valuable information for the development of treatment strategies. Methods: This study was performed between August 1, 2021, and January 31, 2022, in the Department of Allergy, Beijing Tongren Hospital. We continuously included diagnosed SAR and PAR outpatients who volunteered to participate in the survey. A questionnaire with regard to medical history, severity of symptoms, and diagnosis and treatment status was collected. Results: A total of 296 patients with SAR and 448 with PAR were finally recruited. Patients with SAR had more severe rhinorrhea compared with patients with PAR (p < 0.001), whereas there was no statistically significant difference in the severity of itching, sneezing, and congestion between the two entities (p ≥ 0.05). Both the gritty and watery eyes of patients with SAR were noticeably more severe than those of patients with PAR (PTotal Ocular Symptom Score [PTOSS] < 0.001). AR symptom severity is mainly associated with the comorbid allergic conjunctivitis (odds ratio 1.94 [95% confidence interval, 1.21-3.09]). SAR patients and PAR patients show no statistically significant differences in terms of their frequency of visits, annual expenditure, and choice of medication treatment for AR (p > 0.05). The overall control under standard medication of both patients with PAR and those with SAR is not ideal, especially in SAR. Conclusion: The current cross-sectional study demonstrated that the patients with SAR exhibited more severe overall clinical symptoms than those with PAR, especially nasal rhinorrhea and gritty and watery eyes. Both of the two disease entities have poor control under standardized medication treatment, especially in SAR. Further multicenter longitudinal studies that involve larger and more diverse populations should be conducted to provide a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the condition.

Factors contributing to the diagnosis and onset prediction of perennial allergic rhinitis in high-risk children: A sub-analysis of the CHIBA study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to clarify the diagnostic and predictive factors for perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) onset in children by analyzing the results of the Chiba High-risk Birth Cohort for Allergy study, which examined newborns with a family history of allergies. METHODS: Overall, 306 pregnant women were recruited. Their newborns were examined by otolaryngologists and pediatric allergists at 1, 2, and 5 years of age. Participants with clinical and laboratory data available at all consultation points were considered eligible. RESULTS: Among 187 eligible participants, the prevalence rates of PAR were 2.1%, 4.3%, and 24.1% at 1, 2, and 5 years of age, respectively. AR-specific nasal local findings and eosinophils in nasal smear were observed in a substantial number of patients with PAR at 1 and 2 years of age. Factors present up to 2 years of age that were associated with PAR onset at 5 years of age, in descending order, were as follows: sensitization to house dust mites (HDM), nasal eosinophilia, and sensitization to cat dander. In 44 cases with HDM sensitization, nasal eosinophilia up to 2 years of age achieved a sensitivity of 76.0% and a specificity of 73.7% for predicting PAR onset at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Rhinitis findings and nasal eosinophilia are useful auxiliary diagnostic items for pediatric PAR. Sensitization to HDM and nasal eosinophilia were the most influential factors associated with future PAR onset. A combination of these factors may facilitate the prediction of PAR onset.

Allergic diseases in India - Prevalence, risk factors and current challenges.

Epidemiological studies have shown a rise in the prevalence of allergic diseases in India during the last two decades. However, recent evidence from the Global Asthma Network study has observed a decrease in allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis in children. Still, with a population over 1.3 billion, there is a huge burden of allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis, and this is compounded by an unmet demand for trained allergy specialists and poor health service framework. There is wide variation in the prevalence of allergic diseases between different geographical locations in India, and the reasons are unclear at present. This may at least in part be attributable to considerable heterogeneity in aero-biology, weather, air pollution levels, cultural and religious factors, diet, socioeconomic strata and literacy. At present, factors enhancing risks and those protecting from development of atopy and allergic diseases have not been well delineated, although there is some evidence for the influence of genetic factors alongside cultural and environmental variables such as diet, exposure to tobacco smoke and air pollution and residence in urban areas. This narrative review provides an overview of data from India regarding epidemiology, risk factors and genetics and highlights gaps in evidence as well as areas for future research.

Intranasal Steroid Use and Satisfaction in Allergic Rhinitis: A Cross-Sectional Study from an Asian Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Intranasal steroid (INS) is the most effective medication class for controlling allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms; however, its effectiveness is limited by patient compliance. Previous studies have explored INS use, compliance, satisfaction, and experience. There is, however, no Asian study on these factors in entirety. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the rate of compliance to usage of INS and explore the reasons for noncompliance in our local population. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study on 65 AR patients in a tertiary hospital. Recruited patients were administered a questionnaire to collect data about symptoms, INS use, and concerns they may have. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. RESULTS: The overall compliance rate to INS was 63.1%. Noncompliance was associated with increased frequency of dosing (p = 0.050), presence of sensory attributes (p = 0.041), and forgetfulness (p = 0.049). The top 3 most frequent sensory attributes experienced by patients include throat rundown (29.2%), aftertaste (21.5%), and immediate taste (20.0%). There was a significant difference between brands of INS with regard to sensory attributes experienced (p = 0.003) but no side effects (p = 0.070). CONCLUSIONS: Identifying risk factors for noncompliance to INS can help health-care providers address difficulties faced by patients and hence increase compliance, allowing better control of AR symptoms.

Characterization of severe asthma in the pediatric population.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Relationship between the causal mechanisms of pediatric severe asthma and severity of symptoms would be helpful for developing personalized strategies for treatment and prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, 698 medical histories of asthmatics between 6 and 18 years of age were reviewed in a period of 2 years. Variables analyzed were: age, sex, ethnicity, perinatological history, allergy history, asthma predictive index (API), exposure to tobacco, heavy traffic or epithelium, lung function, age of onset of symptoms, hospitalization admissions/PICU, systemic corticosteroids, daily symptoms control, device prescribe for daily control, and adherence. RESULTS: A total of 86 children with severe asthma were included (12.3%). Mean age 13.3 +/- 1.86 years, sex ratio1:1, mean age of symptom onset 2.765 +/- 3.06 years, mean IgE 1076.18KU / L +/- 1136, mean eosinophils 604c / mcl +/- 511.9, mean of FEV1 93.15% +/- 16.3. Evidently, 70 children (81.4%) had positive API, 68 (79.1%) rhinitis, 34 (39.5%) atopic dermatitis. 73 (83.9%) sensitized to inhalants and 56 (65.1%) to dermatophagoides, 39 (45.3%) passive smokers, 19 (22.1%) exposure to heavy traffic; 55 (64%) showed symptoms with exercise, 35 (40.7%) had audible wheezing. The mean systemic corticosteroid cycles/year was 3.63 +/- 3.23, mean PICU admissions 0.36 +/- 0.83, mean hospital admissions 4.31 +/- 5.3, average emergency room visits/year 19.44 +/- 16.28. 38 (56.7%) had good adherence, 44 (51%) used an MDI device and 39 (45.3%) used dry powder. CONCLUSIONS: Children with severe asthma meet the following criteria: premature, positive API, rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, high IgE, eosinophilia, passive smokers, exposure to heavy traffic, decreased lung function, and low adherence to controller medication.

Comparison of sensitization and prevalence of Japanese cedar pollen and mite-induced perennial allergic rhinitis between 2006 and 2016 in hospital workers in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) is increasing worldwide, mainly due to an increase in antigen exposure. We conducted an epidemiological study involving the staff of the University of Fukui Hospital and its associated hospital in 2006. There were 1540 participants aged ≥20 years, and the rates of Japanese cedar (JC) pollinosis and mite-induced perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) were 36.8% and 15.8%, respectively. In 2016, we conducted a second survey. METHODS: The rate of sensitization to JC pollen and mites and the prevalence of JC pollinosis and mite-induced PAR were analyzed based on data from questionnaires and antigen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. RESULTS: In the present study, we analyzed data of 1472 participants aged between 20 and 59 years. Total sensitization to JC pollen and total prevalence of JC pollinosis were 57.8% (851/1472) and 40.8% (601/1472), respectively. Total sensitization to mites and total prevalence of mite-induced PAR were 41.4% (610/1472) and 18.8% (276/1472), respectively. Total prevalence of JC pollinosis and mite-induced PAR increased significantly over a decade. Among the 334 people who participated in the 2006 and 2016 cross-sectional studies, 13% of JC pollinosis and 36% of mite-induced PAR experienced remission. However, since the number of new onset cases was higher that the number of remission cases, a slight increase in prevalence was observed over a decade. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of JC pollinosis and mite-induced PAR continues to show increasing trends, accompanied by an increase in antigen exposure. The remission rate of JC pollinosis was particularly low.

Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with perennial allergic rhinitis but not disease severity.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency plays an essential role in allergic rhinitis(AR), but the role of vitamin D deficiency in perennial allergic rhinitis (pAR) remains unclear. Therefore, our study explored 25(OH)D levels in patients with pAR and healthy individuals in a single center in China for three years. METHODS: A total of 655 patients with pAR and 682 healthy controls were enrolled in this study from 2015 to 2017. Patients' clinical history and symptoms were recorded. sIgE tests were performed using the allergen detection system (UniCAP), and the ADVIA centaur XP system (SIEMENS) was used to measure serum 25(OH)D levels. RESULTS: Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly different between the pAR group and control group over the three-year study period(all P < .05). Specifically, 25(OH)D levels were decreased in the pAR groups over three years. Serum25(OH)D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were noted in 66.9% ~71.9%, 22.5% ~29.4%, and 2.5%~5.6%, respectively, of patients in the pAR group and 53.2%~60.7%, 31.4%~36.6%, and 7.9% ~11.4%, respectively, of participants in the control group. We did not identify significant associations between serum 25(OH)D levels and clinical characteristics of patients with pAR over the three-year period (all P > .05) after adjusting for sex, age, duration of disease, total nasal symptom score (TNSS), sIgE levels, number of positive allergens, and family history. CONCLUSION: pAR patients exhibited lower serum 25(OH)D levels compared with healthy people with a high prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency or insufficiency. We did not identify a significant correlation between 25(OH)D and pAR associated factors.

Different Psychosocial Factors Are Associated with Seasonal and Perennial Allergies in Adults: Cross-Sectional Results of the KORA FF4 Study.

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial factors are supposed to play a central role in the development of allergic diseases. Associations with seasonal and perennial forms of allergies have not been investigated, yet. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the associations of psychosocial factors (social status, depression, generalized anxiety, psychosocial stress, Type-D personality) with seasonal, perennial, and other forms of allergies in adults. METHOD: The analysis of self-reported data of the KORA FF4 study was performed with SAS 9.4. The sample consisted of 1,782 study participants in the study region of Augsburg (39-88 years, 61 years, 51.1% female). Descriptive bivariate statistics and multinomial logistic regression models were performed. Age, sex, family predisposition, and smoking status were considered possible confounders. Moreover, several sensitivity analyses were carried out to check whether missing values distorted the results. RESULTS: A positive association between generalized anxiety and seasonal allergies was found in the multivariate model. Depression was positively, and anxiety negatively, associated with perennial allergies. No association between the analyzed psychosocial factors and other forms of allergies could be found. CONCLUSION: The results support the relevance of psychosocial factors in association with allergies. Looking at the psychosocial factors, a separate consideration of seasonal and perennial allergies seems reasonable. Further longitudinal studies should investigate the direction of the associations, the underlying mechanisms, and other psychosocial factors, such as coping mechanisms, in confirmed allergies.

Efficacy and safety of dupilumab in perennial allergic rhinitis and comorbid asthma.

BACKGROUND: Dupilumab, an anti-IL-4 receptor α mAb, inhibits IL-4/IL-13 signaling, key drivers of type 2/TH2 immune diseases (eg, atopic/allergic disease). In a pivotal, phase 2b study (NCT01854047), dupilumab reduced severe exacerbations, improved lung function and quality of life, and was generally well tolerated in patients with uncontrolled persistent asthma despite using medium-to-high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting ß2-agonists. OBJECTIVE: To examine dupilumab's effect on the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) total score and its allergic rhinitis (AR)-associated items in asthma patients with comorbid perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR). METHODS: A post hoc analysis reporting data from the phase 2b study for the 200 and 300 mg every 2 week (q2w) doses under investigation in phase 3 (NCT02414854) was carried out. PAR was defined at study entry as a specific response to typical perennial antigens (IgE ≥0.35 Ku/L). RESULTS: Overall, 241 (61%) patients had PAR. In asthma patients with PAR, dupilumab 300 mg q2w versus placebo significantly improved SNOT-22 total score (least squares mean difference, -5.98; 95% CI, -10.45 to -1.51; P = .009) and all 4 AR-associated symptoms evaluated (nasal blockage, -0.60; 95% CI, -0.96 to -0.25; runny nose, -0.67; 95% CI, -1.04 to -0.31; sneezing, -0.55; 95% CI, -0.89 to -0.21; postnasal discharge, -0.49; 95% CI, -0.83 to -0.16; all P < .01). Dupilumab 200 mg q2w demonstrated numerical, but not statistically significant, decreases in SNOT-22 total score (-1.82; 95% CI, -6.46 to 2.83; P = .443 vs placebo) and in each AR-associated symptom. In patients without PAR, no differences were observed for these measures versus placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Dupilumab 300 mg q2w significantly improved AR-associated nasal symptoms in patients with uncontrolled persistent asthma and comorbid PAR.

Prevalence of risk factors of allergic diseases among children aged 8-9 years in poltava region (the results of the first stage of the research).

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: According to the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI, 2016), allergy is the most common chronic disease in Europe. The aim: The aim of the investigation is to study the spread of risk factors of allergic reactions in children who are 8-9 years old of Poltava region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The investigation included two stages: the 1st contained interviewing; the 2nd one - additional clinical and lab investigation of children, who require the further diagnosis specification. RESULTS: Results: 1068 children who are 8-9 years old were interviewed based on questionnaires: 56,2% males and 43,8% females. Children were divided into residents (49,2%), and villagers (50,8%). In order to identify allergic diseases the division in family was the next: the presence of bronchial asthma was present in 38 people (3,6%), allergic rhinitis or allergic conjunctivitis - 128 people (12,0%), atopic dermatitis - 54 people (5,1%), food allergy - 129 people (12,1%), medicinal allergy - 25 people (11,7%). Analyzing the influence of trigger factors, it should be noted that in the risk group there are children who received cow's milk as substitutes for breast milk (38.1%), children who had a history of helminthal invasion (19.6%), children where parents smoke (45.9%), one third of parents (31.9%) complained of frequent respiratory viral infections in their children. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Presented epidemiological investigation allowed studying the prevalence of diagnosed allergic diseases in children of Poltava region and determining children's category who require additional diagnostics of chronic allergic diseases.

The prevalence of allergic diseases among children with asthma: What is the impact on asthma control in South East Nigeria?

BACKGROUND: Allergic diseases are known to occur in children with asthma and its coexistence with asthma may impact on asthma control in affected children living in a low-income country. The study is to determine the allergic profile of children with asthma and the association with asthma control and attendant social risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of consecutively enrolled children with physician diagnosed asthma, attending clinics in a tertiary center in Nigeria. The presence of asthma, allergy types, and asthma control levels were determined using the Gobal initiative on asthma (GINA), international study of asthma and allergy in childhood and asthma control test questionnaires, respectively. RESULTS: There were 207 children with asthma enrolled from the Pediatric Asthma Clinic at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. The median age was 10 years and interquartile range of 7-11 years. There were 127 (61.4%) from middle and high socioeconomic class and 86.5% who lived in the urban areas. Of the study participants, 41.5% had one or more allergy symptoms; rhinitis (33.3%), conjunctivitis (29.0%), and dermatitis (7.2%). Allergy symptoms persisted from infancy in 55.9%. Children from large families had a lower prevalence of allergies. Having any allergy symptom and belonging to a small-sized family were both associated with asthma exacerbations. Most children studied, (69.1%) had their asthma under control. Allergy persistence from infancy and type of allergy were not significantly associated with the level of asthma control. CONCLUSION: Allergic diseases are common in children with asthma in our environment, but did not significantly impact on asthma control. Socioeconomic factors such as urbanization and family size had effects on the achievement of asthma control but not on allergy status.

Polysomnographic findings in persistent allergic rhinitis.

PURPOSE: Persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR) is characterized by a chronic, eosinophilic inflammation with nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. Nasal congestion can constitute to sleep-disordered breathing problems that range from simple snoring to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PAR on sleep quality and severity of OSAS. METHODS: The study included 150 patients presenting with typical symptoms of sleep apnea. Fifty-five patients were diagnosed as PAR (group-1) and were compared with age and body mass index matched 95 individuals (group-2) without any nasal disease. Skin prick tests and polysomnography were performed in all patients. RESULTS: There were no differences between groups for polysomnographic findings including sleep architecture, arousal and respiratory index, and mean and minimal oxygen saturations. Simple snoring was determined in 41.8 % allergic and 32.6 % non-allergic patients. Mild OSAS was determined in 32.7 % allergic and 29.4 % non-allergic patients. Moderate OSAS was determined in 9 % allergic and 17.8 % non-allergic patients. Severe OSAS was determined in 16.3 % allergic and 20 % non-allergic patients. Their entire Epworth sleepiness scale index was also found similar. CONCLUSIONS: Our data pointed out that in patients with sleep-related breathing disorders symptoms, presence of PAR does not affect polysomnographic parameters compared with other patients without any nasal inflammation. Besides, prevalence of OSAS was similar between groups.

Amsterdam positional OSA classification: the AASM 2012 recommended hypopnoea criteria increases the number of positional therapy candidates.

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of hypopnoea criteria on the prevalence of positional obstructive sleep apnoea (pOSA) identified under the Amsterdam Positional OSA Classification (APOC) system. METHODS: Three hundred three consecutive patients undertaking polysomnography (PSG) for the suspicion of OSA were included in this retrospective investigation. PSGs were scored using both the 2007 American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommended hypopnoea criteria (AASM2007Rec) and the 2012 AASM recommended hypopnoea criteria (AASM2012Rec). For each hypopnoea criteria, OSA patients were grouped according to the APOC categories (I, II or II) or else deemed non-APOC if they did not meet the APOC criteria. Outcome measures, such as Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ), MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) and psychomotor vigilance task (PVT), were also compared between the groups. RESULTS: The AASM2012Rec increased the prevalence of OSA compared to AASM2007Rec. The AASM2012Rec trebled the number of APOC I patients compared to AASM2007Rec (297% increase) as well as increased the proportion of females in the APOC I group. AASM2012Rec did not change the number of APOC II and APOC III patients. In fact, the same patients were present in these categories irrespective of hypopnoea criteria. The proportion of non-APOC patients proportionally decreased with the AASM2012Rec criteria. There were no differences in outcome measures between the AASM2012Rec and AASM2007Rec groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that, compared to AASM2007Rec, AASM2012Rec increases the prevalence of who could be successfully treated with positional therapy. The proportion of females with pOSA also increases as a consequence of AASM2012Rec.

Does urban extent from satellite images relate to symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in children? A cross-sectional study from ISAAC Phase Three.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between urbanisation and the symptom prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema is not clear, and varying definitions of urban extent have been used. Furthermore, a global analysis has not been undertaken. This study aimed to determine whether the symptom prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in centres involved in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) were higher in urban than rural centres, using a definition of urban extent as land cover from satellite data. METHODS: A global map of urban extent from satellite images (MOD500 map) was used to define the urban extent criterion. Maps from the ISAAC centres were digitised and merged with the MOD500 map to describe the urban percentage of each centre. We investigated the association between the symptom prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema and the percentage of urban extent by centre. RESULTS: A weak negative relationship was found between the percentage of urban extent of each ISAAC centre and current wheeze in the 13-14-year age group. This association was not statistically significant after adjusting for region of the world and gross national income. No other relationship was found between urban extent and symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in children were not associated with urbanisation, according to the land cover definition of urban extent from satellite data. Comparable standardised definitions of urbanisation need to be developed so that global comparisons can be made.

Beclomethasone Dipropionate Nasal Aerosol in Patients with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis (BALANCE) study: 6-month results.

BACKGROUND: Perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) exerts significant quality-of-life and economic burdens on society. Beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) nasal aerosol is the first nonaqueous, hydrofluoroalkane-propelled intranasal corticosteroid approved for patients in the United States to treat PAR and seasonal allergic rhinitis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate real-world effectiveness of BDP nasal aerosol from the patient's perspective by using a postmarketing observational registry. METHODS: Patients (N = 824) from 43 U.S. study sites completed monthly patient-reported outcome instruments, including the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (primary outcome variable), Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire plus Classroom Impairment Questions: Allergy-Specific, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire for 6 months. RESULTS: The primary outcome assessment (Rhinitis Control Assessment Test score) (N = 527) indicated significant symptomatic improvement over baseline beginning at month 1 (p < 0.001), with >78.8% of respondents who achieved clinically meaningful improvement over 6 months. Secondary outcome measures Mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (p < 0.001), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (p < 0.001), and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication-9 scales of effectiveness (p < 0.001), global satisfaction (p = 0.001), and patient-rated convenience (p = 0.03), significantly increased from baseline to month 6. Five of seven measurements of the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire plus Classroom Impairment Questions: Allergy-Specific, with the exception of work time missed and class time missed, were significantly (p < 0.001) improved in patients treated with BDP compared with baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with nonaqueous BDP nasal aerosol in a real-world setting significantly improved PAR symptoms and measures of quality of life, work, and school-related activities, and is associated with high patient satisfaction, reduced productivity loss and activity impairment, and improvement in sleep quality.

Health care resource use and associated costs among patients with seasonal versus perennial allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Health care resource use (HRU) and costs among patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) have not been widely studied. OBJECTIVE: To develop an algorithm to classify patients with SAR and patients with PAR, and to evaluate treatment patterns, HRU, and costs among these patients. METHODS: Patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) were identified retrospectively by using electronic medical records and administrative claims data, with an index date as the earlier of the date of AR diagnosis or allergy medication use. Patients with AR were followed-up from 12 months before the index date through 12 months after the index date (follow-up) and were classified as SAR or PAR based on medication patterns during follow-up. AR-related HRU, allergy immunotherapy administration, and costs per patient per year during follow-up were compared between patients with SAR and those with PAR, with analyses stratified by asthma diagnosis before the index date and by physician specialty (primary care physician versus specialist). RESULTS: Approximately 23% of patients with AR were classified as having PAR and 77% as having SAR. During follow-up, the patients with PAR had more allergy medication prescriptions versus the patients with SAR (8.0 versus 2.4 prescriptions), higher prescription medication costs ($1551 versus $313), higher allergy immunotherapy cost ($180 versus. $118), and higher total AR-related costs ($1944 versus $643); all with p < 0.001. Patients with asthma had higher costs than those without asthma. Patients seen by a specialist has higher costs than those treated by a primary care physician. CONCLUSION: Patients with PAR experienced more AR-related prescription drug use and higher health care costs than patients with SAR, with prescription drug costs being the main cost driver. Treatments that reduce the need for ongoing prescription medication use have the potential to be cost saving.

Can geodata be used to determine the distribution of fast food outlets in relation to the prevalence and severity of asthma? A novel methodology.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Can the distribution of fast food outlets be obtained and effectively used to identify if there is a relationship between the placement of these and the prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema (ARE) in children and adolescents? METHOD: Fast food restaurant location data was obtained for seven countries. Data from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was used from 53 centres in the same seven countries. Each ISAAC centre provided a detailed map of the study area. The location of restaurants and ISAAC centres were overlaid using the ArcMap software, and the number of restaurants within each ISAAC centre counted. Bivariate regression analysis was used to compare outlet density with ARE prevalence and severity. RESULTS: The results from the analyses showed a positive (non-significant) trend on a regression plot between outlet density and ARE severity. This project has shown that it is practical to systematically obtain and map fast food outlets and compare their distribution worldwide with the prevalence and severity of diseases, in this case ARE. The devised methodology has proven to be an efficient way to obtain restaurant distribution data in a form that is manageable and suitable to compare with area based disease prevalences. This project has shown that a larger scale investigation is both feasible and warranted.

Hormonal factors and incident asthma and allergic rhinitis during puberty in girls.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence is indicating that hormonal factors play a role in new-onset allergic rhinitis and asthma after puberty. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether age at menarche and use of hormonal contraceptives predict new-onset allergic rhinitis and asthma after puberty in young German women. METHODS: A prospective community-based cohort study followed 1,191 girls 9 to 11 years old to early adulthood (19-24 years old). Self-administrated questionnaires concerning age at menarche, use of hormonal contraceptives, and status and age at onset of physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis and asthma were collected at 16 to 18 and 19 to 24 years of age. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the incidence of asthma and allergic rhinitis after puberty and pooled estimates were obtained from the final model. RESULTS: Eleven percent of girls developed allergic rhinitis after menarche and 3% reported new-onset asthma. Late menarche (>13 years of age) was statistically significantly inversely related to allergic rhinitis (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.14-0.74) but did not reach the level of statistical significance for asthma (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.07-1.42). Use of hormonal contraceptives was inversely associated with new-onset allergic rhinitis (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.08-0.23) and asthma (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.12-0.58) after puberty. CONCLUSION: This study shows that girls with late onset of menarche are less likely to develop allergic rhinitis after puberty compared with those who have menarche at an average age. These findings also suggest that, in addition to endogenous hormones, hormonal contraceptives play a role and might protect young women from allergies and asthma.

Fetal Growth, Obesity, and Atopic Disorders in Adolescence: a Retrospective Birth Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Developmental status at birth and subsequent obesity have been implicated in the development of childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) and allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: The current study analysed the cohort data of 74 688 junior high school students from a national retrospective birth cohort study in Taiwan. A random 10% sample was selected from singleton livebirths with complete data on the analytical variables of interest. Atopic disorders, including AD and AR, were assessed by questionnaires (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood). Logistic regression analyses were applied with adjustments for related risk factors. RESULTS: Among subjects mainly 13-15 years of age, the estimated prevalence was 7.6% for AD and 22.4% for AR. While the role of fetal growth in allergic disorders was less evident, the risk of developing AD and AR were both influenced by a combination of fetal growth status and adolescent body mass index (BMI). Compared with those with normal fetal growth and school-aged BMI, the risk of developing AD increased 64% among adolescents with both restricted fetal growth and high BMI (odds ratio 1.64, 95% confidence interval 1.37, 1.97). The risk for this combination was higher than that for either restricted fetal growth or high BMI alone. Nevertheless, the overall interaction between BMI and fetal growth status on atopic disorders did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive weight gain could be an important risk factor related to developing atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis during adolescence, especially among infants born small for gestational age.

Diseases of the Upper Respiratory Tract in Preschool and School Age Children in Ambulatory Ear Nose Throat Practice.

The most common diseases of the upper respiratory tract in children treated by ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialists in ambulatory practice are infections, such as colds, rhinitis, sinusitis and pharyngitis, very frequently accompanied and promoted by chronic nasal obstructions of various etiology. These diseases, when treated incorrectly or for too long, cause frequent school absenteeism and may also lead to hearing disorders linked with acute or suppurative otitis. They may also habitually perpetuate abnormal breathing and result in occlusal disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and type of upper respiratory tract diseases in children, depending on age and sex of patients and on the seasons. We also discussed the role of the ENT specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of certain diseases. In the study we analyzed the medical records of patients of preschool and school age treated in the ENT outpatient clinic over one calendar year. It was found that the largest group of patients comprised children of 3-7 years of age, and most children visited the outpatient clinic in the period March-May. The most common main disorder, according to ICD-10, was acute nasopharyngitis (J00) and vasomotor and allergic rhinitis (J30). Among the comorbid disorders H65 and H66 were the most frequent. No significant gender differences were noted in the frequency of particular types of disease.