Prevalence Of Allergic Rhinitis Research Articles

A Dietary Pattern for High Estimated Total Fat Amount Is Associated with Enhanced Allergy Sensitization and Atopic Diseases among Singapore/Malaysia Young Chinese Adults

Introduction: Frequent dietary patterns for fast food diets are suggested to be a risk factor for atopic disease development. Excessive dietary fats in fast foods are postulated to promote low-grade chronic inflammation. However, no studies in Asia have yet to characterize the dietary pattern for high-fat foods with atopic diseases. Thus, this study aims to assess the association between dietary fats with the prevalence of atopic diseases in an allergic cohort. Methods: Through an investigator-administered questionnaire that follows the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) protocol, we evaluated the eating habits, lifestyle behaviours, sociodemographics, and atopic symptoms, and history among 11,494 young Chinese adults in Singapore and Malaysia. A skin prick test (SPT) for common house dust mites was also conducted to determine the atopic (allergic) status. We identified 1,550 atopic dermatitis (AD), 1,301 allergic asthma (AS), and 3,757 allergic rhinitis (AR) atopic cases. We derived a novel dietary index, Diet Quality based on Total Fat Amount (DQTFA), to examine the association between eating patterns for estimated total fat amount with various atopic outcomes. Results: There was a preponderance of subjects having positive SPT reaction (69.0%) with the prevalence of AR being the highest (32.7%), then AD (13.5%), and AS (11.3%). Additionally, there is a significantly higher proportion of subjects with an atopy background and atopic diseases consume diets with a high estimated mean fat amount. The adherence to a dietary pattern of the higher estimated total fat amount was shown to be strongly associated with all atopic diseases and exhibited dose-dependent responses in the univariate analysis. These associations remained significant even with the adjustments for age, gender, body mass index, use of alcohol, sedentary lifestyles, and physical activity. A dietary pattern for high-fat amount is more strongly associated with AS (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.524; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.216–1.725; p < 0.001) and AR (AOR: 1.294; 95% CI: 1.107–1.512; p < 0.001) compared to AD (AOR: 1.278; 95% CI: 1.049–1.559; p < 0.05). Finally, it was shown that having either one of the atopic comorbidities was strongly associated with a dietary pattern of high-fat amounts (AOR: 1.360; 95% CI: 1.161–1.594; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings altogether provide initial evidence that the dietary pattern of a diet high in fat amount is associated with an increased risk of atopy and atopic diseases in young Chinese adults in Singapore and Malaysia. Balancing the consumption of dietary fats and changing personal dietary habits by choosing foods of the lower fat amount may reduce the associated odds of atopic diseases.

The Relationship Between Family Smoking Habits and the Use of Room Perfume with Complaints of Allergic Rhinitis in Children Aged 13-14 Years in Rungkut District, Surabaya City

ABSTRACT Background: Allergic rhinitis is defined clinically as a symptom of nasal hypersensitivity triggered by a certain allergen present in the environment. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis has increased over the past 5 years. Indoor air quality is influenced by the number of pollutants according to the place, climate, culture, local ambient air, characteristics of buildings and indoor activities. Objectives: To analyze the relationship between family smoking habits and room perfume use with complaints of allergic rhinitis in children aged 13-14 years in Rungkut District, Surabaya City. Methods: This research method was quantitative research with an analytical type of observational research with a cross-sectional research design. The sample size in this study was 94 children aged 13-14 years and the sample was taken using systematic random sampling. Data collection by conducting interviews, observations and measurements directly. The test used is chi-square Results: There was a relationship between family smoking habits and complaints of allergic rhinitis in children (p = 0.000) and there was a relationship between the use of room perfume and complaints of rhinitis in children (p = 0.029). Conclusion: Family smoking habits and the use of room perfume have a significant relationship with complaints of allergic rhinitis in children. Families are encouraged to eliminate smoking and minimize the use of room perfume in order to minimize risk factors for complaints of allergic rhinitis in children.

The Relationship between House Type and Truck Traffic with Allergic Rhinitis in Adolescents

Introduction: Although many studies have been conducted on allergic diseases, their risk factors including allergic rhinitis have not yet been fully understood. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between house type, floor, and frequency of truck traffic on the street of residences with allergic rhinitis in adolescents in Yazd.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 5141 adolescents aged 13-14 years, from February 2020 to June 2020, using the large-scale Global Asthma Network (GAN) survey data in Yazd. The data were collected electronically using the GAN standard questionnaire, and analyzed in SPSS software version 23 using descriptive and analytical statistics (Chi-square and logistic regression). The value of P &lt; 0.05 was considered significant.&#x0D; Results: In this study, 11.2% of boys and 13.3% of girls had allergic rhinitis, indicating a significant difference by gender (P = 0.025). The prevalence of allergic rhinitis did not differ significantly according to the type of house (apartment or detached house with a yard) and the floor (P &gt; 0.05). However, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis showed a significant correlation with the frequency of truck traffic on the street of residence (P = 0.001). If the truck passed through the street near the house almost all day, the chance of developing allergic rhinitis would be 2.4 times higher.&#x0D; Conclusion: The risk of allergic rhinitis increases with the frequent truck traffic from the street near the house, but the type of house and floor do not have a significant effect.

Prevalence and determinants of Allergic Rhinitis among the population of Jeddah Saudi Arabia

Prevalence and determinants of Allergic Rhinitis among the population of Jeddah Saudi Arabia

Risk factors for allergic rhinitis in children residing in five different regions of the Central Federal District: Observational study

Aim. To detect known risk factors for allergic rhinitis and determine the associated risks in five regions of the Central Federal District of the Russian Federation for 20172021 in different age groups.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the Odintsovo Regional Hospital (Odintsovo), the Regional Children's Clinical Hospital (Yaroslavl), the City Children's Clinical Hospital (Tver), the Regional Children's Clinical Hospital (Vladimir), and the Vologda Children's City Polyclinic (Vologda). The homogeneity of the studied populations for the time criterion was assessed; the risk factors for allergic rhinitis (AR) recorded by the pediatrician in patients with an established diagnosis with ICD-10 codes J30.1, J30.2, J30.3, and J30.4 were analyzed. The total children population was 361,281 in the fourth quarter of 2021, and the number of children diagnosed with AR was 6,757. The study included children aged from 0 to 17 years. When assessing the evidence base, the data analysis and synthesis for each study site in each time range was performed in 100% of patients with AR.&#x0D; Results. The analysis results showed that in 20172021, in all studied regions, there was a steady increase in the total children's population and an increase in AR patients from birth to 17 years, and in some regions, such as Odintsovo and Tver, the prevalence of AR is growing exponentially. All risk factors were divided into three groups according to the feasibility of controlling their effect: uncontrollable (6 factors), partially controlled (10 factors) and controlled (12 factors). Most controlled risk factors were socio-biological and medical, and partially controlled ones were medical and socio-economic.&#x0D; Conclusion. The breakdown of risk factors into groups according to control feasibility will enable the reformatting of therapeutic and preventive measures aimed at reducing the prevalence of AR, which is a predictor of bronchial asthma occurrence.

The Trend of the Burden of Allergic Rhinitis Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic in the Urban Population of Perak, Malaysia.

This study aims to determine the trend of allergic rhinitis (AR) prevalence in a tertiary hospital between 2017 and 2022, and to compare its prevalence pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional study involving the extraction of all Malaysian patients' medical records who were diagnosed with AR and attended the otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic of a government-funded tertiary hospital in Malaysia between 2017 and 2022. 3,744 cases out of the 57,968 first-encounter outpatient visits to the otorhinolaryngology clinic were extracted for analysis. Overall, the prevalence of AR cases ranged from 1.83 to 9.23% between 2017 and 2022. There was a significant drop of 21.38 to 70.22% between the pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.001). Males (0.34 to 1.60%) were more prevalent in the 6 to 18 year old than females (0.09 to 1.23%). The trend shifted with age, whereby females (0.50 to 2.45%) experienced a higher prevalence than males (0.21 to 1.77%) as they aged from 19 to 59. The Malay (1.01 to 4.59%) demonstrated a two-time higher prevalence than the Chinese (0.30 to 2.01%) and Indian (0.40 to 2.14%) ethnicities. After stratifying by gender and ethnicity, Indian women (0.17 to 1.09%) had a higher rate of AR than their Chinese counterparts (0.12 to 0.99%) across all years. The AR prevalence consistently ranged from 8.14 to 9.23% pre-pandemic. A remarkable drop was observed post-pandemic, ranging from 1.83 to 6.40%. A gender shift from male to female predominance as age progressed. The Malay had the highest prevalence of AR.

Association between breastfeeding and prevalence of allergies among children in the Academy Teaching Charity Hospital, Sudan.

Background: The role of breastfeeding in the primary prevention of allergic diseases remains controversial, with hardly any reported studies from developing countries. Objective: To evaluate the association between breastfeeding and the presence of allergies. Specifically, we aimed to demonstrate the association between the exclusivity of breastfeeding and the prevalence of allergies, including asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy. Secondly, to ascertain the impact of feeding cow milk as complimentary feeding on the prevalence of atopy. Finally, we intended to substantiate the association between maternal education and breastfeeding awareness. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted; 182 participants were enrolled. A confidential, anonymous questionnaire was administered to the participantsf mothers (those attending Academy Charity Teaching Hospital with children aged six months to 10 years). Crude associations between exclusive or non-exclusive breastfeeding and atopic diseases were evaluated using Chi-Square Test by computing crude odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% Confidence Interval (CI) with α level of 0.05. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the effect of exclusive breastfeeding on allergic diseases. The sample was adjusted for confounding factors such as gender, family history, number of siblings, and paternal and/or maternal smoking habits. Results: Of the 182 participants included in this study, 95(52.2%) were not exclusively breastfed, and 87(47.8%) were exclusively breastfed. The prevalence of allergic diseases in the children who received non-exclusive breastfeeding compared with those with exclusive breastfeeding showed a significantly higher prevalence of atopy [OR =3.6 95%CI: 1.87-6.94] with a p-value <0.001, even more, significant when the sample was adjusted for family history [OR =4.59 95%CI: 1.96-10.75] with a p-value <0.001. Moreover, milk administration as a complementary feeding type was not significantly associated with the development of atopy [OR =1.65 95%CI: 0.87-3.14] with a p-value of 0.14. Conclusion: There is evidence that exclusive breastfeeding is protective against atopy. Mothers should breastfeed mainly for the first six months of child age and continue with partial breastfeeding beyond that age.

ARIA Care Pathways 2019: Next-Generation Allergic Rhinitis Care and Allergen Immunotherapy in Malaysia.

An increase in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) worldwide presents a significant burden to the health care system. An initiative was started in Europe designated as Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) to develop internationally applicable guidelines by utilising an evidence-based approach to address this crucial issue. The efforts are directed at empowerment of patients for self-management, the use of digital mobile technology to complement and personalise treatment, and establishment of real-life integrated care pathways (ICPs). This guideline includes aspects of patients' and health care providers' management and covers the main areas of treatment for AR. The model provides better real-life health care than the previous traditional models. This review summarises the ARIA next-generation guideline in the context of the Malaysian health care system.

Impact of comorbid allergic diseases on health-related quality of life of Hong Kong schoolchildren.

Studies on the relationship between childhood allergic disease and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) have mostly been confined to a single allergic condition. Therefore, a composite allergic score (CAS) was derived to assess the accumulated effect of eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis on HRQOL in Hong Kong schoolchildren. Parents of grade one/two or grade eight/nine schoolchildren completed a questionnaire assessing the prevalence and severity of eczema (POEM), asthma (C-ACT/ACT), and allergic rhinitis (VAS) and schoolchildren's HRQOL (PedsQL). Three rounds of recruitment were conducted. A total of 19 primary and 25 secondary schools agreed to participate. Data from 1140 caregivers of grade one/two schoolchildren and 1048 grade eight/nine schoolchildren were imputed and analyzed. The proportion of female respondents were lower in grade one/two (37.7%) but higher in grade eight/nine (57.3%). 63.8% of grade one/two and 58.1% of grade eight/nine schoolchildren reported having at least one allergic disease. In general, greater disease severity was significantly associated with lower HRQOL. After controlling for age, gender, and allergic comorbidity in hierarchical regressions, CAS significantly predicted all HRQOL outcomes in both grade one/two and grade eight/nine schoolchildren. Female grade eight/nine schoolchildren reported lower HRQOL outcomes. Composite allergic score may be a practical tool to evaluate allergic comorbidity and the effectiveness of treatments targeting common pathological mechanisms of allergic diseases. Non-pharmaceutical approaches should be considered, especially for patients with more than one allergic disease and greater severity.

Prevalence of Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, and Atopic Dermatitis and Their Association With Oral Health in Saudi Arabia.

Background The word "atopy" is frequently used to describe immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated diseases. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma is increasing and disconcerting in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to investigate the association between allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, asthma, and oral health among adults in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study of 726 adults using an electronic questionnaire was adopted. The study was carried out from Januaryto December2022. The questionnaire included demographic data, patients' diseases in response to inclusion and exclusion criteria, oral health status and symptoms, and dental health-related behaviors. Results Most participants were aged from 18 to <40 years (79.1%). More than half of the participants were females (53.6%); 39.7% of participants had poor oral health. Poor health was significantly higher among obese subjects as well as those with lower levels of physical activity, higher perceived levels of stress, those who received a sealant, and those who brushed their teeth for ≤ one time per day. The results showed that the individual symptoms of oral health did not associate significantly with being diagnosed with allergic rhinitis or asthma in the past 12 months. However, atopic dermatitis was independently associated with a chipped or broken tooth (OR = 1.52) and pain in the tongue or inside the cheeks (OR = 3.57). Conclusion Poor oral health was significantly associated with atopic dermatitis in Saudi adults. Some systemic diseases are considered chronic diseases, and they are multifactorial; thus, we cannot claim that periodontal pathogens are the definite cause of systemic infections. More studies are necessary to find a definitive association.

Exposure to household dust, allergens, and endotoxin and allergy-related outcomes alternation in the general U.S. population

It has been widely reported that the general population was at an increased risk of allergy diseases, which probably be related with household allergens exposure. However, the difference of local and systemic allergic reactions exposure to allergens has not been reported in the general population previously. The data of 1094 U.S. adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2006 data bank were analyzed. Dust, allergens (Bia g 1, Bia g 2, Can f 1, Feld 1, Derp 1, Mus m 1, Rat n 1, Alternaria alternate, and Aspergillus fumigatus), and endotoxin, were measured to estimate sensitizing source exposure. And allergy-related outcomes indicators including hay fever, sneezing, allergic rhinitis (AR), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and allergic sensitization, were evaluzted to estimate local and systemic allergic reactions. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of sensitizer and allergy-related outcomes. The mean or median concentration of dust and endotoxin were 0.66 g and 12.98 EU/mg dust. The Derp 1, Mus m 1, Rat n 1, Alternaria alternate, and Aspergillus fumigatus were the main allergens in the dust, with the concentrations of 30.66 ng/g dust, 30.73 ng/g dust, 5.94 ng/g dust, 5.20 ng/g dust, and 207.68 μg/g dust, respectively. The prevalence of AR was 34.2% among the general population. After controlling for sociodemographic factors, we found that the allergens, such as Can f 1 and Feld 1, were positively associated with AR. The prevalence of allergic sensitization was about 20%. Dust and endotoxin were found positively associated with allergic sensitization, while Bia g 2, Rat n 1, Alternaria alternate, and Aspergillus fumigatus were inversely associated with that. Dust and endotoxin probably be associated with higher risk of local allergic reactions, while some allergens, such as Bia g 2, Rat n 1, Alternaria alternate, and Aspergillus fumigatus probably be associated with lower risk of systemic allergic reactions.

‘'CLINICAL STUDY ON THE EFFICACY OF SHIGRU TAILA NASYA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF VATAJA PRATISHYAYA W.S.R. TO ALLERGIC RHINITIS''

Allergic rhinitis is one of most common allergic disease. Reported incidence of allergic rhinitis in India ranges between 20-30%. Studies have shown that prevalence of allergic rhinitis has been increasing in India over past few years. Allergic Rhinitis is not a life-threating condition but complications can occur and the condition can signicantly impair the quality of life, sleep and work performance. Vataja Pratishyaya is a common disorder explained in Ayurveda having similar signs and symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis. There is a vitiation of Vata and Kapha doshas resulting in excessive sneezing, blocking of the nose, watery discharge, dryness of the mouth, constant pain in the temples and disorders of voice. None of the allopathic treatment modality is totally effective in curing the disease as well as to prevent its recurrence. Moreover, they have their own side effects. For this purpose, an effort is put into to nd the effective treatment in series of patients suffering from Vataja Pratishyaya which is well known for its recurrence and chronicity. The study was aimed to evaluate the efcacy of Shigru Taila Nasya Karma (Group A) and to study the comparative effects with the control group (Group B) treated with Shadbindu Taila Nasya Karma. Both had provided signicant relief in the patients suffering from Vataja Pratishyaya. Group A have showed 56.72% success rate while Group B have showed 45.36% success rate. There were no complications observed during the treatment and in follow up period. It can be concluded that both are same in terms of effect at 0.05% level of Signicance. The medicines are easily available, cost effective. Hence to conclude, Shigru Taila and Shadbindu Taila Nasya is a safe, effective medicine which can be easily prescribed with least complications.

Efficacy and Safety of Oral Probiotics in Children with Allergic Rhinitis: A Review

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis is rising, and it is impacting children’s growth and quality of life. To uncover unconventional treatment modalities, research was carried out to clarify the significance of novel components in the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis. One of these elements was gut microbiota, which plays a crucial role in the development and evolution of allergic disorders. Specifically, dysbiosis, defined as impaired microbiota composition, characterizes allergic disorders. In light of this concept, probiotics (beneficial bacteria) may restore gut dysbiosis, rebalance the immune response, and indirectly influence the clinical course of allergic diseases. In this article, we discussed the role of the gut–lung axis in children and reported on new findings. We also reviewed the most relevant studies about probiotics in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Prevalence and risk factors of allergic rhinitis among Chinese adults: A nationwide representative cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) has been increasing steadily worldwide, especially in countries with increasing industrialization such as China. However, available evidence regarding AR prevalence among Chinese adults is scarce and limited to regional data collected in earlier years. We therefore aimed to provide a more recent and robust estimate of AR prevalence using a nationwide representative cross-sectional study in China. MethodsData of 184 326 participants aged 18 years or older were obtained from the China Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance conducted in 2018–2019. AR was determined by self-reported sneezing, nasal itching, obstruction, or rhinorrhea symptoms for at least 1 h in the absence of a cold or flu within the last 12 months. Multivariable logistic model was used to examine the risk factors of AR, and a possible non-linear relationship was further tested by restricted cubic spline. Potential additive interactions of risk factors with sex, residence, and geographic region were assessed by relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). ResultsThe weighted prevalence of AR was 8.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.4%–8.7%), of whom 23.7% (95% CI, 21.3%–26.0%) were aware of their diagnosis. Increased odds of AR were associated with younger age, men, living in urban area or north region, more education, smoking, underweight, and higher income. Despite the nonsignificant linear trend, the spline regression demonstrated a non-linear association between AR and sleep duration, with higher odds at both ends. Additionally, the observed associations were generally stronger among men and people living in urban area and north region, with significant RERI ranging from 0.07 (95% CI, 0.00–0.14) to 0.40 (95% CI, 0.12–0.67). ConclusionsAR is prevalent in China and the associated factors and interactions are helpful to design targeted preventive strategies towards certain subpopulations. The low awareness of AR calls for a national effort on AR screening.

Association between urban garbage exposure and allergic diseases among sanitation practitioners: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe prevalence of allergic diseases has increased significantly in China over the last few decades, and there have been very few reports of allergic diseases in certain occupational specialties, with almost no reports among sanitation workers. ObjectiveOur objective was to investigate the prevalence of allergic diseases and the prevalence of common allergen sensitization in the population engaged in sanitation, and to try to answer the connection between urban garbage waste exposure and the development of allergic diseases. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of people working in sanitation-related jobs in Liwan District, Guangzhou, China. A total of 893 people completed the questionnaire for this study, and 500 of them were further screened and tested for allergens specific IgE and IgG4. Combining the questionnaire and test results, we investigated the incidence of allergy disorders and patterns of sensitization to allergens in this community, and evaluated the presence of occupational-related risk factors in this particular population. ResultsOf the 893 sanitation workers, 166 (18.59%) self-reported allergic diseases, predominantly suffering from allergic rhinitis (AR) (n = 98, 10.97%), followed by drug allergy (n = 31, 3.47%), atopic dermatitis (n = 27, 3.02%), food allergy (n = 21, 2.35%), and asthma (n = 9, 1.00%), in that order. In addition to dust mites (32.20%), which had the highest sensitization rate, the subject population had relatively high sensitization rates to ragweed (7.00%) and moulds mixture (8.20%) when compared with the rates of sensitization to moulds and ragweed in the general population; the top 3 sIgG4 positivity rates were egg (50.00%), milk (10.20%), and soybean (9.40%). The prevalence of self-reported AR was higher in office managers (the control group) than in cleaning staff (the exposed group), but there was no difference in sIgE positivity for serum allergens between the 2 groups. The chance of having AR may increase with management positions (crude OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.38–3.50), P = 0.001). ConclusionThis is the first study to investigate the prevalence of allergy illnesses in the sanitation workforce in mainland China. We identified a community of real sanitation workers with high ragweed and mycobacterial sensitization rates. Urban cleaning may be protective factor against AR at the symptom level, but the serological results did not show this to be the case.

Transgenerational development of food allergies and allergic rhinitis

Both environmental and genetic factors play a role in allergies. Allergies are influenced by genes and how they control immune cell function. Several studies have examined the occurrence of allergic disease in children and its association with other risk factors, including allergic disease in parents. Specific toxins like CO2 and other health conditions can be related to the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. The response to food allergies was observed in many studies to conclude that heritability from parents to offspring is one of the leading risk factors for allergic diseases. Several studies have found a significant increase in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in males than in females. Avoidance of a particular food was associated with an increased risk of developing an allergy to that food. At the molecular level, T cells are found to affect allergy outcomes through their part of the immune response. Food proteins such as milk, egg, and peanut - common food allergens - may cause an immune response in allergic individuals. Different therapies include Epicutaneous Immunotherapy (EPIT) and specific infant milk protein formulas. If this formula is taken from infancy, the allergic responses can be prevented/reduced. As with seasonal allergies, prevention can be mediated by avoiding different pollution environments that may cause additional irritation, temperature control in a given atmosphere/humidity, and therapies of Vitamin C for immunity. With many other seasonal allergy triggers, it is ubiquitous among populations and dependent on the area and season.

Effects of Particulate Matter on Allergic Rhinitis and Possible Mechanisms

Health impacts of particulate matter (PM) have become a global concern. PM tends to affect patients with allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis (AR), more severely. Many epidemiological studies have shown that PM increases outpatient clinic visits as well as the prevalence and severity of AR, while decreasing the quality of life of AR patients. However, the exact mechanisms underlying the effects of PM on the development and exacerbation of AR are still poorly understood. Various mechanisms are involved in the effects of PM on AR, including immunological response, oxidative stress, epithelial barrier dysfunction, allergic sensitization, and epigenetic modification. This article reviews epidemiological and clinical studies on the effects of PM on AR, and the mechanisms by which PM aggravates AR.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Allergic Rhinitis Among the Population in the Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) is considered a high global disease burden; hence, the shortage of knowledge would lead to poor adherence to management and preventive measures and increase the exacerbation of AR symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors, and assess the knowledge and practices of the population regarding AR among the population in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia. Methodology This was an online survey cross-sectional study conducted in December 2022 via social media platforms (WhatsApp and Twitter) to collect data on participants' demographics, prevalence, risk factors, knowledge, and attitudes towardAR, using a validated Arabic version of a self-administered questionnaire. Results The study involved 466 participants. Of the participants, 55.8% were aged 31 to 45 years, and 286 (61.4%) were females. The prevalence of AR among the participants was 45%. The most common symptoms were a blocked nose (79.6%), sneezing (74.2%), and a runny nose (71.5%). Furthermore, the prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis in this study was 56%. The most common inhalant allergen was house dust (73.0%). Only the age and history of asthma or eczema were significant factors associated with AR. Overall, most of the subjects (94.85%) had adequate knowledge regarding AR. Conclusion A high prevalence of AR was observed. Understanding the factors linked with AR is imperative to ensure better adherence to preventive management plans.

Allergic Rhinitis in Preschoolers: A Systematic Review of Diagnostics.

Most studies that seek to analyze the prevalence of allergic rhinitis do not include preschool children and the diagnosis in this age group is difficult. Identify complementary tests to the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in preschool children and verify if there is scientific robustness to propose a diagnostic algorithm for this condition in this age group. Systematic review of the literature in four databases: SCIELO, PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS and SCOPUS. Each article was initially chosen by title, abstract and by the keywords "allergic rhinitis," "diagnosis" and "preschool." Those articles selected entered the complete reading and data extraction phase. The study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews under number CRD42020207053. Fourteen articles were suitable for analysis. In the assessment using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies - 2, all studies had at least one domain considered "high risk" or "undetermined risk." Seven reports of nasal cytology, seven of specific IgE, four of immediate hypersensitivity skin test, one of nasal nitric oxide, three of total IgE and one of urinary leukotriene E4 were found. Eight articles evaluated more than one diagnostic test. There are no defined criteria for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in preschool children. Nasal cytology, serum specific IgE and immediate hypersensitivity skin test were the most used tests. A reliable diagnostic criterion in this age group is necessary so that in the future it is possible to propose a diagnostic algorithm for allergic rhinitis in preschool children.

Endotyping of Allergic Rhinitis Clusters in Korean Children through Nasal Cytokines/Chemokines Analysis

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common allergic disease and the prevalence of AR is increasing. As AR is a heterogenous disease, many studies analyzed various biomarkers to identify the endotype. However, studies in Korean children are rare, this study tried to analyze the clusters of AR and the characteristics of nasal cytokines/chemokines in each cluster.