The association of rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma symptoms in adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
Our study aimed to determine the rate of association of rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma symptoms in adolescents to analyse whether asthma symptoms are more severe and frequent in asthmatics with concomitant allergic rhinitis and assess if adolescents are aware of having rhinoconjunctivitis.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study, with two components: a study in prevalence and an inter-case study (rhinitis symptoms) with a comparison group (no rhinitis symptoms), based on information from questionnaires applied in phase 3 of ISAAC in Recife in 2002.


RESULTS
Associated rhinoconjunctivitis and probable asthma symptoms were observed in 5.1% of adolescents (48/940; CI 95%: 3.8 %-6.6%), probable asthma alone in 10.9% (103/940; CI 95%: 9.1%- 13.1%) and rhinoconjunctivitis alone in 9.7% (91/940; CI 95%: 7.9%-13%). Among the rhinitis-bearing adolescents, almost 81.3% (39/48) had persistent probable asthma and 31.8% (48/151) of asthmatic patients rhinoconjunctivitis. 65.1% (86/132) of adolescents with diagnosed rhinitis were unaware of rhinitis symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The association of rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma symptoms is frequent and associated to more severe asthma symptoms. Adolescents' unawareness of rhinitis symptoms reflects the underdiagnosis that can result in down-playing the symptoms, and the consequent undertreatment.
Brito
Rita de Cássia C M
Rde C
Child and Adolescent Health, Ilha do Leite Recife, PE, Brazil. moraesdebrito@gmail.com
da Silva
Gisélia A P
GA
Motta
Maria E F A
ME
Brito
Murilo C A
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000150:complications*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires