prevalence of allergic rhinitis and atopic markers in obstructive sleep apnea

Allergic rhinitis [AR] related inflammation might worsen the severity of obstructive sleep apnea [OSA], however, the relationship between the two disorders remains controversial. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of AR and atopic markers in OSA. This cross-sectional study recruited participants with sleeprelated complaints referred to a sleep center from February 2013 to June 2014. The diagnosis of OSA was based on the Berlin questionnaire [BQ] followed by confirmatory polysomnography [PSG]. The diagnosis of AR was made via focused history and clinical examination and was confirmed by measuring atopic markers. OSA was diagnosed in 97 out of 157 adults attending the sleep clinic [61.8%]. There was a high prevalence of AR [52.6%] among OSA individuals. This was not significantly different from the frequency in the non-OSA individuals [p = 0.5]. Elevated total immunoglobulin E [IgE; >100 K/micro L], eosinophil count, and positive Phadiatop tests were found in individuals with OSA to be 37.1%, 11.3%, and 41.2%, respectively. Individuals without OSA have shown similar percentages. In our cohort, there was no significant difference in frequency of AR and atopy among participants with OSA compared to those without OSA

impact of some demographic factors on the severity of asthma in children

To investigate the association between some demographic factors and the levels of severity among asthmatic children. Method: One hundred and twenty five asthmatic children aged between 6 months and 15 years were studied in pediatric and asthma clinics at King Abdul Aziz University Hospital [KAUH]. The assessment of clinical severity has based on the global strategy guidelines for asthma assessment and management. Subjects were grouped by age: infants [