Chronic sinusitis and atopy: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
The role of allergic sensitization in chronic sinusitis in childhood is currently unclear, as contrasting results were reported in the studies thus far available.


OBJECTIVE
We evaluated by a cross-sectional study the prevalence of sensitization to common inhalant allergens in children with chronic sinusitis.


METHODS
Among 2200 children referring to our Paediatric out-patient Unit for evaluation of chronic respiratory symptoms, subjects satisfying at least two of major criteria for the definition of chronic sinusitis were recruited, and underwent to allergen sensitization workup by skin prick test (SPT) with common inhalant allergens and total IgE determination. Participants were stratified according to age inferior to three years (Group 1), age between three and six years (Group 2), and age above six years (Group 3) for the purpose of evaluation.


RESULTS
In all, 351 children (217 boys, 134 girls, mean age 5.23 ? 2.11 years, range 4-15 years) were available for evaluation and were stratified (27 in Group 1, 261 in Group 2 and 63 in Group 3). Prevalence of both sensitization to at least one inhalant allergen by SPT and of high total IgE was 29.9%. Prevalence of SPT sensitization was significantly different across age groups, with a value of 7.4% in Group 1, 31.4% in Group 2 and 33.3% in Group 3 (p = 0.028), but after adjusting for age, sinusitis and aeroallergen sensitization did not correlate significantly. The difference across groups for high total IgE did not reach statistical significance, with 22.7%, 30.1% and 32.1% for each group respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of sensitization to aeroallergens in children with chronic sinusitis is comparable to that of the general paediatric population, as assessed in the Italian arm of the ISAAC study. This does not account for routine investigation for allergy in children diagnosed with such disease.
Leo
G
G
Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Physiopathology Unit, Istituti Clinici di Perfezionamento, Milan, Italy.
Piacentini
E
E
Incorvaia
C
C
Consonni
D
D
Frati
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications*; D012882:Skin Tests
D000485:Allergens