Prevalence and risk factors associated with allergic rhinitis in Mexican school children: Global Asthma Network Phase I

Roberto García‐Almaráz ,María De Jesús Ambriz Moreno,José Antonio Sacre Hazouri,Luis Octavio Hernández Mondragón,Georgina Guadalupe Ochoa López,Noel Rodríguez Pérez,Leonardo Gardea Moreno,Ma Guadalupe Sánchez Coronel,Nayely Reyes-Noriega,Ma De Los Ángeles Juan Pineda,José Santos Lozano Sáenz,Beatriz Del Carmen Ramos García,Elsy Maureen Navarrete-Rodríguez,Philippa Ellwood,Arturo Berber,Jaime Mariano Del Río Chivardi,Alberto José Escalante Domínguez,Valente Juan Mérida Palacio,Francisco Javier Linares Zapién,Luis G Alvarez ,Blanca E Del-Río-Navarro ,Omar Josué Saucedo-Ramírez

doi:10.1016/j.waojou.2020.100492

Abstract

BackgroundThe International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) showed a wide variability in prevalence and severity of allergic rhinitis (AR) and rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC), in addition to other atopic diseases (Asher et al, 2006).1 The Global Asthma Network (GAN) has continued to study these conditions. ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of AR and ARC in children and adolescents in Mexico and to assess their association with different risk factors. MethodsGAN Phase I is a cross-sectional, multicentre survey carried out in 15 centres corresponding to 14 Mexican cities throughout 2016–2019 using the validated Spanish language version of the GAN Phase I questionnaires. The questionnaires were completed by 35 780 parents of 6–7 year old primary school pupils (children) and by 41 399 adolescents, 13–14 years old. ResultsThe current and cumulative prevalence of AR was higher in the adolescents (26.2–37.5%, respectively) in comparison to the children (17.9–24.9%, respectively), especially in female participants. This tendency was also observed in the current prevalence of ARC, where 15.1% of female adolescents reported nasal symptoms accompanied with itchy-watery eyes in the past year. The most important risk factors for AR and ARC were the presence of wheezing in the past 12 months, wheezing in the first year of life, the previous diagnosis of asthma and eczema symptoms. Furthermore, allergic symptoms had a negative tendency concerning altitude. ConclusionThis is the largest AR epidemiological study ever conducted in Mexico. It shows an increase in AR prevalence, as well as significant associations with modifiable risk factors, which could help to establish recommendations to reduce the burden of this condition.

Highlights

Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem, affecting 10–40% of the population around the world, with a prevalence of 8.38% in children and 14.93% in adolescents.[1]
It shows an increase in allergic rhinitis (AR) prevalence, as well as significant associations with modifiable risk factors, which could help to establish recommendations to reduce the burden of this condition
The global current prevalence of AR and ARC in male and female participants are presented in Table 1

Summary

Introduction

Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem, affecting 10–40% of the population around the world, with a prevalence of 8.38% in children and 14.93% in adolescents.[1] It is the most common allergic disease of childhood, and its pervasiveness has increased in countries with reported low prevalence values, as per the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase One.[1] As a condition, AR’s severity is often underestimated as it is non-life-threatening. The duration and severity of AR symptoms represent a substantial burden on quality of life and well-being.[2] Crucially, AR has a detrimental effect on quality of sleep and cognitive functioning, which can cause irritability and tiredness. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) showed a wide variability in prevalence and severity of allergic rhinitis (AR) and rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC), in addition to other atopic diseases (Asher et al, 2006).[1] The Global Asthma Network (GAN) has continued to study these conditions

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion