Allergic Rhinitis in Danish General Practice

Abstract

The prevalence rate of allergic rhinitis and the consultation rate caused by this disease were studied in 131 general practices covering a population of 450,000 persons in Denmark. During a 1-year period starting June 1977 all consultations with or without symptoms were recorded. Allergic rhinitis was defined as paroxysmal sneezing and rhinorrhoea with or without conjunctivitis, and without signs of infection. Results are presented from three groups of practices classified by self-estimated completeness of reporting. 11--15 per thousand of the total population contacted a practice during the 1-year period (males: 12--17%, females: 10--13%). The highest prevalence rate occurred at 10--19 years of age, and allergic rhinitis was common from five to 44 years of age. The prevalence rate was higher among males up to the age of 30, after which age it was a little higher among females. About two-thirds of the patients consulting had at least one consultation per year with symptoms present. The number of contacts came to 4.4 per patient per year and 20--25% of these were with symptoms.

Multicenter Study on the Prevalence of Perennial Allergic Rhinitis and Allergy-Associated Disorders

“…These results coincide with those of other articles. It has been reported that in adolescents, the prevalence of PAR in males is slightly higher than that in females but that with age, the tendency reverses and there is no difference in prevalence of PAR between the sexes overall (14,15).…”

Nasal smear eosinophilia for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis and eosinophilic non-allergic rhinitis

“…First, we investigated patients who consulted their general practitioner because of chronic or recurrent nasal symptoms. Many of these patients did not have symptoms at the moment they consulted their general practitioner: a Danish study reported that only 20%-25% of allergic rhinitis patients had symptoms when they consulted their general practitioner (17). As eosinophilia is correlated with exposure to allergens, it has been recommended that asymptomatic patients are asked to return when they experience symptoms.…”

Epithelial Changes in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis throughout the Year: Evidence of Coexistent Air Pollution and Local Secretory IgA Deficiency?

“…The children exposed to smoke had a significantly higher frequency of not just allergic reactions, but also non-specific reactions such as bronchitis and bronchial hyperreactivity [26]. In a Danish study [27], this value was 66%; exposure to tobacco smoke was established by measuring levels of cotinine (a nicotine metabolite) in the urine or serum [28].…”