Survey on the epidemiological features of allergic rhinitis at out-patient in western area of China / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE To investigate the epidemic features of allergic rhinitis at out-patient in western area of China(Chengdu in Sichuan province, Chongqing, Urumchi in Xinjiang province, Nanning in Guangxi province). METHODS A questionnaire survey on AR, rhinology examination and skin prick test were carried out among 2267 AR patients at out-patient, from Mar. 2005 to Dec. 2006. RESULTS The incidence rate of sneezing、runny nose、stuffy nose、itchy nose were 88%, 89.19%, 85.58%, 83.58% respectively. 43.80% of AR patients had inherent predisposition that 25.50% had hereditary AR and 13.45% had hereditary asthma. 46.98% of AR patients had other allergic diseases, among them 10.50% combined with asthma. According to the classification criteria of Haikou in 1997 and ARIA in 2001, there were mainly seasonal AR and mild intermittent AR in Urumchi area, while perennial AR and moderate-severe persistent AR in other areas. There was a significant impairment in Quality of life that 50% were always upset and 40% didn't sleep well and more than 10% had emotional affections. CONCLUSION We had got epidemic data such as characteristics of clinical presentation of AR at out-patient in western of China. Strategy of prevention and treatment of AR should be worked out according to the epidemic feature of AR.