Clinical features of allergic rhinitis in Korean children

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The characteristics of allergic rhinitis can be different among countries and areas because causative allergens and aggravating factors depend on the living environment. However, there have been few studies on the clinical feature of Korean children with allergic rhinitis, as well as on clinical characteristics in different age groups. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of Korean children with allergic rhinitis. METHODS: The medical records of children under 12 years of age who had rhinitis symptoms were analyzed in terms of clinical symptoms and positive allergens. Subjects were classified into 2 groups those with allergic rhinitis (AR group) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR group). Both groups were subdivided into 3 categories the 1-4 years, 5-8 years, and 9-12 age groups. RESULTS: Among 516 children, 397 (76.94%) belonged to the AR group and 119 (23.06%) belonged to the NAR group. The male to female ratios were 21 in both groups. There were significant differences in sneezing and itching between the AR and NAR groups across different age subgroups. There were significant differences in nasal obstruction between the AR and NAR groups in the 9-12 age group. The incidence of AR was 77.8 % in chronic sinusitis patients. Sensitized allergens were house dust mites, animal hair, pollen, and mold in decreasing order in the AR group. Children who were sensitized to animal hair more frequently had sneezing than those who were not. CONCLUSION: Sneezing and itching strongly suggest allergic rhinitis in Korean children. Clinical characteristics of allergic rhinitis in Korean children would helpful in early diagnosis and adequate treatment of disease.