Allergic rhinitis, asthma and gastro-esophageal reflux disease: a cross-sectional study on their reciprocal relations

Kakaje, Ameer; Alhalabi, Mohammad Marwan; Alyousbashi, Ayham; Ghareeb, Ayham

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-29393/v1

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(59 reference statements)

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“…GORD was associated with respiratory diseases and asthma, 19 and LPR was associated with allergic rhinitis. 20 This is similar to our findings as LPR symptoms were correlated with the aforementioned risk factors. However, these medical conditions can cause symptoms that can be misinterpreted by RSI as LPR symptoms, particularly that allergic rhinitis was found in half of a studied population in Syria, 11 which could explain the high prevalence of LPR symptoms.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Laryngopharyngeal reflux in war-torn Syria and its association with smoking and other risks: an online cross-sectional population study

et al. 2020

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ObjectivesTo demonstrate the burden of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in Syria and its associated variables.DesignThis is a cross-sectional study that used online questionnaires that included demographics, smoking, war-related questions and reflux symptom index (RSI).SettingThis research was conducted online across Syria and included the general population.ParticipantsParticipants who lived in Syria, agreed to participate, and responded to all the RSI questions were included. This research comprised 734 participants, with 94.6% response rate, 75.5% being females, and a mean age of 24 years.ResultsOverall, 31.9% of subjects had symptoms suggestive of LPR. Participants who were 30 years and younger had fewer symptoms suggestive of LPR compared with the older group p=0.012 (OR 0.534; 95% CI 0.325 to 0.877). While having an epigastric burning sensation, chest pain and indigestion were the most common symptoms, having a sore throat was the least common. Being distressed from war noises was associated with more symptoms p=0.009 (OR 1.562; 95% CI 1.117 to 2.183). However, losing someone or changing place of living due to war were not significantly associated with these symptoms p>0.05. RSI scores were associated with cigarette and/or shisha smoking p<0.05. Finally, asthma, allergic disorders and having a job were associated with having LPR symptoms p<0.05. No significant findings were observed in consanguinity, marital status, educational level and socioeconomic status.ConclusionsWar, smoking, asthma, allergies, respiratory conditions and having a job were associated with LPR symptoms. However, they may be associated with these symptoms independently from LPR; for instance, similar symptoms can be caused by the mental disorders from war, the unique environment and irritant substances of the laryngeal mucosa.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Laryngopharyngeal reflux in war-torn Syria and its association with smoking and other risks: an online cross-sectional population study

et al. 2020

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“…The high prevalence of smoking may be a factor of the high prevalence of LPR in Syria (9), mainly that there are no strong regulations to prevent smoking, causing a high exposure to second-hand smoking which could not be measured in our study. Another theory is that as allergic rhinitis is very common in Syria (11), and that allergic rhinitis and LPR may be correlated (24) which could explain this nding. We also speculate that the high psychological stress that Syrians face with high prevalence of severe mental disorder from war (12), this could cause dyspepsia and exaggerating of GORD symptoms which can mimic LPR.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease in War-torn Syria and its Association with Smoking and other Risks.

Kakaje

Alhalabi

Alyousbashi

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Backgrounds: Syria has entered its ninth year of conflict and as its medical sector facing major hurdles, laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is often overlooked although it has an association with worsening quality of life and affecting many aspects as it is chronic and left untreated although it can lead to many complications such as dysphonia. This study is to evaluate LPR prevalence and its association with different aspects such as cigarette, and shisha smoking, and the effect of war on LPR.Methods: Cross-sectional study by using online questionnaires that included demographics, smoking, war related questions and reflux symptom index (RSI) were used online in many cities around Syria.Findings: This research included 734 responders with 75.5% being female and the mean age being 23.97 years. 31.9% of subjects had symptoms suggestive of LPR. Participants were Syrians and we included every responder who agreed and did not neglect any question. We only found that being distressed from war noises was associated with positive LPR symptoms [P=0.009 (OR, 1.562; 95% CI 1.117-2.183)], but losing someone or changing place of living due to war were not associated with LPR. LPR was associated with cigarette smoking (P<0.05). Finally, having asthma, and male gender in the younger population were associated with LPR (P<0.05). No clear association with age, or shisha and no significant associations were found with consanguinity, marital status, educational level and SES.Interpretations: About one third had LPR symptoms. War distress from war noise, cigarette smoking, asthma, and allergic were significantly correlated with LPR.

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“…Although smoking was found in Syria to be more common in males [33], AR, which was found to be more common in females, was correlated with smoking. Furthermore, AR was found to be corre-lated with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) disease [34], the prevalence of LPR was also found to be in more than onethird in on study Syria [35] which could explain the high prevalence of AR.…”

Section: Ar and Itsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Allergic Rhinitis and Its Epidemiological Distribution in Syria: A High Prevalence and Additional Risks in War Time

Kakaje

Alhalabi

Alyousbashi

et al. 2020

BioMed Research International

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Background. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global disease that affects a huge proportion of people around the world especially in the Middle East, where multiple allergy-promoting factors can be found. Although AR is not fatal, it severely affects the quality of life. However, it is usually overlooked in developing countries due to resource scarcity. Methods. An online questionnaire on social media was used which included demographics, smoking, socioeconomic-status (SES), war-related questions, and the score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR), a simple self-reporting tool with the cut-off point at 7. Findings. This study included 968 subjects with 721 (74.5%) females. The mean age was 24.69 years with AR prevalence at 47.9%. AR was associated with male gender [P=0.001 (OR, 1.677; 95% CI 1.249-2.253)], having a job [P=0.049 (OR, 1.309; 95% CI 1.001-1.713)], the having a chronic medical condition (P<0.0001) mainly other allergies [P<0.0001 (OR, 9.199; 95% CI 3.836-22.063)] and asthma [P=0.006 (OR, 5.060; 95% CI 1.396-18.342)], using medications (P<0.0001) and living in particular provinces (P=0.010). However, no significant correlation was found with type of work and war factors except being distressed by war sounds [P=0.027 (OR, 1.348; 95% CI 1.034-1.757)]. Finally, no associations were found with age, consanguinity, SES, educational level, and cigarette or/and shisha smoking (P>0.05). Interpretation. Approximately half of the sample displayed AR symptoms, indicating a potentially high burden of AR in the community. A correlation to being distressed from war noises was found with AR which could reflect a psychological aspect. In addition, in war harmful allergens are released which can be an additional AR risk factor which adds to the environment in the Middle East that is associated with AR. However, we need further studies to discover and minimize this huge prevalence of AR.

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Allergic rhinitis, asthma and gastro-esophageal reflux disease: a cross-sectional study on their reciprocal relations

Cited by 4 publications

References 40 publications

Laryngopharyngeal reflux in war-torn Syria and its association with smoking and other risks: an online cross-sectional population study

Laryngopharyngeal reflux in war-torn Syria and its association with smoking and other risks: an online cross-sectional population study

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease in War-torn Syria and its Association with Smoking and other Risks.

Allergic Rhinitis and Its Epidemiological Distribution in Syria: A High Prevalence and Additional Risks in War Time

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