Epidemiologic characteristics of rhinitis in Turkish Children: the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) phase 2

• Published in: Pediatric allergy and immunology Vol. 17; no. 4; pp. 269 - 277
• Main Authors: Kuyucu, Semanur, Saraçlar, Yıldız, Tuncer, Ayfer, Geyik, Pınar Özdemir, Adalıoğlu, Gönül, Akpınarlı, Akgül, Şekerel, Bülent E., Sümbüloğlu, Vildan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-06-2006; Blackwell
• Subjects: asthma; Asthma - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchial Provocation Tests; Child; Comorbidity; dampness/mold; Dermatitis, Atopic - epidemiology; epidemiology; gas stove; Humans; Hypersensitivity - epidemiology; Immunoglobulin E - blood; Immunopathology; ISAAC; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Odds Ratio; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Prevalence; rhinitis; Rhinitis - epidemiology; Risk Factors; Skin Tests; Surveys and Questionnaires; Turkey - epidemiology; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology; Asia; Turkey; Human; Immunopathology; Lung disease; Allergy; Nose disease; dampness/mold; Rhinitis; Respiratory disease; Epidemiology; Asthma; ISAAC; Immunology; Bronchus disease; ENT disease; Mould; Obstructive pulmonary disease; gas stove; Child; International
• ISSN: 0905-6157; 1399-3038
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2006.00407.x

Rhinitis is a common problem with important comorbidities. In order to search the association between rhinitis, allergic phenotypes and other risk factors in Turkish children, a parental questionnaire about allergic diseases and risk factors, and skin prick test (SPT) with 13 inhalant allergens were performed in a population‐based sample of 2774 children aged 9–11 yr. Bronchoprovocation testing with hypertonic saline (HS)and total IgE analysis were limited to a subsample of 350 children. Rhinitis was defined as a problem with sneezing, rhinorrhea, or nasal congestion when the child did not have a viral respiratory infection. The prevalences of ever rhinitis, current (last 12 months) rhinitis (CR), and ever hay fever were 36.3%, 30.6%, and 8.3%, respectively. SPT positivity rate was 20.4% among children with CR. Current wheezing and flexural dermatitis were significantly associated with CR. CR significantly increased the risk of asthma among both atopic and non‐atopic subjects [odds ratio (OR), 3.98; 95% CI, 1.81–8.76; and OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.82–4.26, respectively]. The association between CR and bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) was not significant. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed family atopy (OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.79–2.83, p < 0.001), current indoor heating with gas stove (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.18–2.64, p = 0.006) and dampness/molds at home during the first year of life (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.25–2.31, p = 0.001) as significant risk factors for CR. Turkish school children showed a high prevalence of rhinitis with a preponderance of non‐atopics. The highly significant association between rhinitis and asthma independent of atopic sensitization emphasize the importance of non‐atopic forms of rhinitis.