Prevalence of Self-Reported Allergic Rhinitis in Eleven Major Cities in China

Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disease and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. Data on the current prevalence of AR in China, one of the biggest countries in the world, with a population of around 1.3 billion citizens, are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of self-reported AR in Chinese citizens. Methods: In a cross-sectional, population-based study, telephone interviews were conducted in 11 major cities in China after sampling target telephone numbers through the approach of random digital dialing. The questions for the telephone interviews were based on validated questionnaires. Results: A total of 38,203 telephone interviews were conducted from September 2004 to May 2005. The response rate was 63.7%. After adjustment for age and gender, the self-reported prevalence of AR was lowest in Beijing (8.7%) and highest in Urumqi (24.1%). Among the subjects with self-reported AR, 25.6% were diagnosed with persistent AR and 74.4% suffered from intermittent AR. Less than half of the subjects with self-reported AR had presented at a health clinic. In 37.3% AR had previously been diagnosed by physicians, and 33.1% of subjects with self-reported AR had been treated. Comorbidities reported were asthma (9.2%), rhinosinusitis (13.3%) and atopic dermatitis (16.4%). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the self-reported prevalence of AR in 11 cities across Mainland China has wide variations, ranging from <10% to >20%; 26% of the self-reported AR subjects were classified as suffering from persistent AR.

Housing characteristics and indoor environment in relation to children’s asthma, allergic diseases and pneumonia in Urumqi, China

“…For Urumqi 13-14 years children, Chen et al [18] reported the prevalence of AR symptoms of 36.7%, just lower than that in Guangzhou (39.5%). A 2004 study in 11 Chinese cities conducted by telephone interview found Urumqi had the highest self-reported AR by 21.4% (age and gender adjusted) in the last 12 months, in which persistent AR, with higher symptom frequency and more severe symptoms, accounted for 36.1%, higher than the average 25.6% across the 11 cities [19]. It was argued that the Urumqi climate, which is arid, cold and windy, with a large temperature difference between day and night, is related with AR symptoms.…”

Association between monosodium glutamate intake and sleep-disordered breathing among Chinese adults with normal body weight

“…We do not have information on rhinitis in this study, but the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the study area is about 10% [29]. Whether rhinitis mediates the 10 effect of MSG on SDB remains to be determined.…”

Air pollution, aeroallergens and suicidality: a review of the effects of air pollution and aeroallergens on suicidal behavior and an exploration of possible mechanisms

“…Allergy symptoms (e.g. sneezing, nasal congestion and itching) are collectively referred to as allergic rhinitis (AR) and has been reported in variable prevalence, such as 8%-24% self-report in China and in contrast 11%-30% self-report in the US (47,48). AR is an immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated response, and can result in both localized or systemic inflammation (49).…”