Role of Allergic Rhinitis in Cognitive Functions and Psychological Condition of Children Aged 8-16 years

Abstract

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is defined as a symptomatic disorder of the nose induced after coming in contact to allergens by an immunoglobulin E(IgE) mediated inflammation. Allergic rhinitis is one of the commonest chronic allergic diseases in school age group. AR is clinically diagnosed and its symptoms are watery nose, nasal obstruction, itching and sneezing.AR is divided into intermittent or persistent disease according to the duration of active symptoms. The severity of AR can be classified as mild, moderate or severe according to the level of disturbance of the daily activities. Around 20-30% of the population suffers from AR and the majority of them show symptoms from 6-7 years of age. Objectives/Aim: To evaluate the role of symptomatic allergic rhinitis in cognitive functioning of a child and the effect of allergic rhinitis on the psychological condition of affected children. Methodology: A prospective observational study was carried out in the OPD/IPD of HI-TECH Medical college and hospital from 1st September 2019-31st October 2021.150 children were evaluated in this period special questionnaire regarding the quality of life in rhinitis patients for psychological well-being and their cognitive ability like verbal memory, memory retrieval, working memory, information processing, color word interference and cognitive flexibility was evaluated with the help of computerized Visual verbal learning test(VVLT) and Stroop colour word test(SCWT). Results: In the study we found out that there was a significant association with age in years with working memory/memory retrieval/colour word interference/cognitive flexibility, with p less than 0.05. The psychological status of children was assessed by the questionaries and was found to be affected due to regular medications leading to inattentive behavior, absence from school, stress on parents due to high burden of disease, shame because of the persistent nature of the disease and feeling drowsy throughout on medications. Conclusion: Allergic rhinitis affects the psychological well-being of a child and decreases cognitive ability but there is no cognitive impairment drastically.