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. 2015 Jan;7(1):44-50.
doi: 10.4168/aair.2015.7.1.44. Epub 2014 Jul 15.

The burden of rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis in adolescents

Fabio Cibella  1 , Giuliana Ferrante  1 , Giuseppina Cuttitta  1 , Salvatore Bucchieri  1 , Mario R Melis  1 , Stefania La Grutta  1 , Giovanni Viegi  1
Affiliations

The burden of rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis in adolescents

Fabio Cibella et al. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2015 Jan.

Abstract

Purpose: Rhinitis and conjunctivitis are common diseases worldwide that are frequently associated. Nevertheless, the risk factors for rhinoconjunctivitis are not well-described and the impact of conjunctivitis on rhinitis and asthma in children remains unknown. This study explored the different risk factors and evaluated the burden of rhinoconjunctivitis among adolescents.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on a random sample of schoolchildren, aged 10-17 years, using skin prick tests and a self-administered questionnaire on respiratory health investigating the impact of rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis on daily activities.

Results: A complete evaluation was obtained for 2,150 children. The prevalence of rhinitis alone was 18.2% and rhinitis associated with conjunctivitis was 20.5%. Rhinoconjunctivitis was more frequently associated with females, a parental history of atopy, domestic exposure to mold/dampness, passive smoke exposure, and reported truck traffic in residential streets. Moreover, rhinoconjunctivitis was associated with a higher level of allergic sensitization. The prevalence of current asthma was 1.7% in subjects without rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis, 5.1% in rhinitis and 10.7% in rhinoconjunctivitis. In a logistic model, rhinoconjunctivitis yielded a 2-fold risk for current asthma with respect to rhinitis. Subjects with rhinoconjunctivitis had poorer quality of life (QoL); there was an impact on daily activities in 4.6% of rhinitis and 10.7% of rhinoconjunctivitis.

Conclusions: Ocular symptoms increase the role of rhinitis as a risk factor for asthma and its impact on daily activities in children.

Keywords: Rhinitis; asthma; children; conjunctivitis; epidemiology.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no financial or other issues that might lead to conflict of interest.

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