Prevalence and associated risk factors of allergic rhinitis in preschool children in Beijing

Abstract

The prevalence of AR in young children can be overestimated using epidemiologic criteria. AR is a common disease in Asian preschool children, with an increasing trend as children get older, and is higher in urban than suburban areas--suggesting an important role for environmental risk factors in AR.

Home environment in relation to allergic rhinitis among preschool children in Beijing, China: A cross-sectional study

“…A relatively low prevalence (7.8%) of "doctor-diagnosed AR" in children aged 3e6 agrees was reported in the present study, and is consistent with the 14.9% "clinical AR" as diagnosed by a positive skin prick test a reported by Zhang et al, in 2013 [9], but the prevalence of "epidemiological AR," [9] that is parent-reported AR, is a much higher 49.5% (3e6-year-old children) in the present study (2011). A much lower prevalence, 14.9%, was reported in a study for which responses to the same questionnaire were obtained by interviews of parents.…”

“…The low rate also reflects low prevalences in children <3 years old. Another study of AR in preschool children (3e5 years old) in Beijing found that the prevalence of "epidemiologic AR," that is, prevalence generated by parent written responses to questionnaires, was 48% (53.2% in urban areas; 43.4% in suburban areas) [9].…”

Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis in China

“…Several studies have investigated the prevalence of AR in pre-school children aged 6 years and less 37,38. In one recent study, Zhang and colleagues37 surveyed 4,075 children aged 3 to 5 years in urban and suburban areas of Beijing; the adjusted prevalence rate of 19.5% for clinical AR was significantly higher in children from urban areas, compared to 10.8% ( P <0.01) in children from suburban areas.…”

Long‐term Efficacy of Specific Immunotherapy on House Dust Mite–Induced Allergic Rhinitis in China

“…[6][7][8] House dust mite is also the most prevalent allergen in patients (either adults or children) with AR and/or asthma, especially those residing in the southern area. [9][10][11] The management of AR formulated by the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guideline involves education of the patient and the patient's caregiver, allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy, and specific immunotherapy (SIT). 1 Different from other pharmacologic treatment, SIT is considered to be capable of modifying the natural course of AR, and its efficacy has been confirmed in treating inhalant allergy caused by pollen, HDM, fungi, and animal allergens.…”