title: Allergic rhinitis: epidemiological aspects, diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: This study was a review of the literature on the epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of allergic rhinitis. Bibliographic searches were based on the information contained within the Medline, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature and HighWire databases, covering the last thirty years and using the following search terms: 'allergic rhinitis', 'epidemiology', 'diagnosis' and 'treatment'. Sixty articles were selected. This study describes the increase in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis, its relationship with asthma, the diagnostic criteria and the treatment. The classification of allergic rhinitis and strategies for its treatment are presented. Therapeutic modalities presented and discussed include the administration of antihistamines, corticosteroids, immunotherapy, anti-leukotrienes, sodium cromoglycate and anti-IgE antibodies, as well as minimizing exposure to inhaled allergens. Finally, the importance of the management of allergic rhinitis in public health is emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Federal University of Minas Gerais - School of Medicine, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. cassioibiapina@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Cássio da Cunha
authors.initials: Cda C
authors.lastname: Ibiapina
authors.forename: Emanuel Savio Cavalcanti
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Sarinho
authors.forename: Paulo Augusto Moreira
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Camargos
authors.forename: Cláudia Ribeiro de
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Alvaro Augusto Souza da
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Cruz Filho
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index