Unrecognized Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis and Allergic Sensitization Among Latino Youth (GALA II Study)

Abstract

Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) can be unrecognized and may impair school performance in children. We investigated ARC frequency in reportedly healthy Latino children. Hispanic children aged 8-21 years were recruited as non-allergic control and asthmatic subjects from five cities in the mainland United States (US) and Puerto Rico for the GALA II Study (2008-2011). Controls denied physician diagnosis of ARC at screening before undergoing a study visit when we administered an extensive questionnaire and performed skin prick test (SPT to 14 aeroallergens) and venipuncture. We used logistic regression to identify variables associated with atopy and ARC, adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, recruitment site, and smoking history. Of 1552 control subjects (mean+SD age = 13.9+3.6 years,43% males), 50% were of Mexican descent, 30% Puerto Rican, and 20% other Latino ethnicity. Atopy based on >1 positive SPT was present in 48% of subjects (n=743) and unrecognized ARC in 13% (n=202), based on atopy plus questionnaire report of nasocular symptoms in the absence of colds or flu. Sensitization to indoor allergens predominated and testing for 7 allergens identified >95% of atopic subjects. Mexicans were more often atopic than Puerto Ricans (51% vs. 38%,p<0.0005), but fewer reported rhinoconjunctivitis (18% vs. 42%,p<0.0005). Logistic regression showed that atopy was associated with male gender (odds ratio[OR]=1.59; 95% confidence interval [1.23-2.04]), city living (OR=1.58[1.02-2.46]), living in mainland US (OR=2.49[1.94-3.19]), and in the Northeast region (OR=2.87[1.85-4.44]). Atopy and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were common in Latino children reportedly healthy. Unrecognized ARC might affect child quality of life or school performance.