Abstract
BackgroundAllergic rhinitis is one of the commonest atopic diseases which contribute to significant morbidity world wide while its epidemiology in Tanzania remains sparse. There was paucity of information regarding allergic rhinitis in our setting; therefore it was important to conduct this study to describe our experience on allergic rhinitis, associated co-morbidities and treatment outcome in patients attending Bugando Medical Centre.MethodsThis was descriptive cross-sectional study involving all patients with a clinical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis at Bugando Medical Centre over a three-month period between June 2011 and August 2011. Data was collected using a pre-tested coded questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS statistical computer software version 17.0.ResultsA total of 190 patients were studied giving the prevalence of allergic rhinitis 14.7%. The median age of the patients was 8.5 years. The male to female ratio was 1:1. Adenoid hypertrophy, tonsillitis, hypertrophy of inferior turbinate, nasal polyps, otitis media and sinusitis were the most common co-morbidities affecting 92.6% of cases and were the major reason for attending hospital services. Sleep disturbance was common in children with adenoids hypertrophy (χ2 = 28.691, P = 0.000). Allergic conjunctivitis was found in 51.9%. The most common identified triggers were dust, strong perfume odors and cold weather (P < 0.05). Strong perfume odors affect female than males (χ2 = 4.583, P = 0.032). In this study family history of allergic rhinitis was not a significant risk factor (P =0.423). The majority of patients (68.8%) were treated surgically for allergic rhinitis co morbidities. Post operative complication and mortality rates were 2.9% and 1.6% respectively. The overall median duration of hospital stay of in-patients was 3 days (2 – 28 days). Most patients (98.4%) had satisfactory results at discharge.ConclusionThe study shows that allergic rhinitis is common in our settings representing 14.7% of all otorhinolaryngology and commonly affecting children and adolescent. Sufferers seek medical services due to co-morbidities of which combination of surgical and medical treatment was needed. High index of suspicions in diagnosing allergic rhinitis and early treatment is recommended.
Highlights
Allergic rhinitis is one of the commonest atopic diseases which contribute to significant morbidity world wide while its epidemiology in Tanzania remains sparse
The reason for increased number of children with allergic rhinitis to attend medical services in this study may be due to the fact that allergic rhinits is associated with severe and troublesome symptoms which are exacerbated by recurrent viral infections making parents to seek medical attention while majority of symptoms of allergic rhinitis are ignored by adult patients
Allergic rhinitis is common condition which is under diagnosed in patients attending otorhinolaryngology department at Bugando Medical Centre and accounts for
Summary
Allergic rhinitis is one of the commonest atopic diseases which contribute to significant morbidity world wide while its epidemiology in Tanzania remains sparse. The total burden of allergic rhinitis lies on impaired physical and social functioning and in a financial burden for treatment of its co-morbid diseases [1]. Allergic rhinitis commonly causes sleep disturbance, fatigue, listlessness irritability, and poor concentration leading to developmental delay, impaired learning ability and poor school performance in children [11,12,13,14]. Unacceptable behavior such as sniffing, sneezing, noisy breathing and coughing may lead to isolation and rejection at school and home. Further morbidity results from associated conditions such as sinusitis, adenoids, tonsil hypertrophy and otitis media [11]
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