Prevalence of Rhinitis among Children and Teenagers in Quito Ecuador

Abstract

RATIONALE: ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood) provides a worldwide opportunity to compare prevalence, incidence and severity of rhinitis symptoms in children and teenagers.METHODS: We used a self-administered ISAAC-III written questionnaire for mothers of 6-7 years old children, and another guided questionnaire for the teenager group (13-14 years old). The study took place in 34 elementary schools and in 22 high schools, both public and private schools. The Study was performed at 2003.RESULTS: 3055 mothers of 6-7 years old children completed the questionnaire. 37% declared children with nose symptoms, 27% symptoms in the last year, 14% nose and eyes symptoms. The 5% of the rhinitic children had severe symptoms. Physician diagnostic represented the 16%. The peak of symptoms was during raining season, specially in April.3014 teens answered the questionnaire. 48% had nose symptoms, 36% actual rhinitis, 23% rhinoconjuntivitis. Severe symptoms were noticed in 2% of them. The 16% of teens were diagnosticated previously. The major incidence of symptoms was in may.CONCLUSIONS: Quito is an andean city located at 2.800 mts of altitute, it's humidity has small variation and is about 60% to 72%, the temperature is between 8 to 22 centigrades during all the year. The prevalence of rhinitis is moderate. The symptons of the great majority of the rhinitic population studied are mild to moderate. RATIONALE: ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood) provides a worldwide opportunity to compare prevalence, incidence and severity of rhinitis symptoms in children and teenagers. METHODS: We used a self-administered ISAAC-III written questionnaire for mothers of 6-7 years old children, and another guided questionnaire for the teenager group (13-14 years old). The study took place in 34 elementary schools and in 22 high schools, both public and private schools. The Study was performed at 2003. RESULTS: 3055 mothers of 6-7 years old children completed the questionnaire. 37% declared children with nose symptoms, 27% symptoms in the last year, 14% nose and eyes symptoms. The 5% of the rhinitic children had severe symptoms. Physician diagnostic represented the 16%. The peak of symptoms was during raining season, specially in April. 3014 teens answered the questionnaire. 48% had nose symptoms, 36% actual rhinitis, 23% rhinoconjuntivitis. Severe symptoms were noticed in 2% of them. The 16% of teens were diagnosticated previously. The major incidence of symptoms was in may. CONCLUSIONS: Quito is an andean city located at 2.800 mts of altitute, it's humidity has small variation and is about 60% to 72%, the temperature is between 8 to 22 centigrades during all the year. The prevalence of rhinitis is moderate. The symptons of the great majority of the rhinitic population studied are mild to moderate.