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. 2013 Aug;56(8):338-42.
doi: 10.3345/kjp.2013.56.8.338. Epub 2013 Aug 27.

Prevalence and comorbidity of allergic diseases in preschool children

Hyeong Yun Kim  1 , Eun Byul Kwon, Ji Hyeon Baek, Youn Ho Shin, Hye Yung Yum, Hye Mi Jee, Jung Won Yoon, Man Yong Han
Affiliations

Prevalence and comorbidity of allergic diseases in preschool children

Hyeong Yun Kim et al. Korean J Pediatr. 2013 Aug.

Abstract

Purpose: Allergic disease and its comorbidities significantly influence the quality of life. Although the comorbidities of allergic diseases are well described in adult populations, little is known about them in preschool children. In the present study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and comorbidity of allergic diseases in Korean preschool children.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study comprising 615 Korean children (age, 3 to 6 years). Symptoms of allergic diseases were assessed using the Korean version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire that was modified for preschool children. Comorbidities of allergic diseases were assessed by 'In the last 12 months, has your child had symptoms?'.

Results: The prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis as recorded using the ISAAC questionnaire, within the last 12 months was 13.8%, 40.7%, and 20.8%, respectively. The symptom rates of allergic conjunctivitis, food allergy, and drug allergy were 14.8%, 10.4%, and 0.8%, respectively. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in children with asthma was 64.3% and that of asthma in children with allergic rhinitis was 21.6%. The prevalence of rhinitis in children with conjunctivitis was 64.8% and that of conjunctivitis in children with rhinitis was 23.6%.

Conclusion: The prevalence of current rhinitis in our preschool children is shown to be higher than that previously reported. Allergic conjunctivitis is closely associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis. However, further studies are warranted to determine the prevalence and effects of these comorbidities on health outcomes in preschool children.

Keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Asthma; Comorbidity; Preschool child; Prevalence.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Comorbidity of symtoms in children with wheezing, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis over the last 12 months (n=292).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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