Allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis in children in the tropics: prevalence and risk associations.
Pediatr Pulmonol
; 47(10): 1026-33, 2012 Oct.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22628118
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The age-related comparative prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) in children is poorly defined. We aimed to characterize AR and NAR in children.METHODS:
This study enrolled children with chronic rhinitis who presented to a tertiary paediatric center for a diagnostic skin prick test (SPT). Parents completed a medical history questionnaire for their child, including disease activity for asthma and rhinitis. Sociodemographic data was obtained and all participants underwent a common inhalant SPT panel. A positive SPT indicated AR.RESULTS:
From March 2001 to March 2009, 6,660 children (64% male) were enrolled (aged 6 months to 19 years, mean 7.82 years). Only 3.7% (249) of the children were <2 years old, and almost 30% of these had AR. Most children with AR (73%) presented after age 6. Males were more likely to have AR (vs. NAR) (OR 1.5; CI 1.39-1.77). Antihistamine and salbutamol use did not differ between children with AR and NAR. Children with AR were more likely to require adjunct therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (51.2% vs. 43.2%, P < 0.001), have drug hypersensitivity (especially antipyretic drugs) (2.5% vs. 1.3%, P = 0.384) or an asthma admission (9.1% vs. 6.0%, P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS:
AR is more common in male children, is relatively rare below the age of 2 years, and accounts for two-thirds of all childhood chronic rhinitis and 73.3% of all chronic rhinitis in school-aged children (≥6 years old). Children with AR have more severe rhinitis symptoms and more often suffer from asthma-related events and admissions.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Asthma
/
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
/
Rhinitis, Vasomotor
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Pediatr Pulmonol
Journal subject:
PEDIATRIA
Year:
2012
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Singapore