title: Allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis in children in the tropics: prevalence and risk associations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The age-related comparative prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) and non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) in children is poorly defined. We aimed to characterize AR and NAR in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study enrolled children with chronic rhinitis who presented to a tertiary paediatric center for a diagnostic skin prick test (SPT). Parents completed a medical history questionnaire for their child, including disease activity for asthma and rhinitis. Sociodemographic data was obtained and all participants underwent a common inhalant SPT panel. A positive SPT indicated AR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From March 2001 to March 2009, 6,660 children (64% male) were enrolled (aged 6 months to 19 years, mean 7.82 years). Only 3.7% (249) of the children were <2 years old, and almost 30% of these had AR. Most children with AR (73%) presented after age 6. Males were more likely to have AR (vs. NAR) (OR 1.5; CI 1.39-1.77). Antihistamine and salbutamol use did not differ between children with AR and NAR. Children with AR were more likely to require adjunct therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (51.2% vs. 43.2%, P < 0.001), have drug hypersensitivity (especially antipyretic drugs) (2.5% vs. 1.3%, P = 0.384) or an asthma admission (9.1% vs. 6.0%, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AR is more common in male children, is relatively rare below the age of 2 years, and accounts for two-thirds of all childhood chronic rhinitis and 73.3% of all chronic rhinitis in school-aged children (≥6 years old). Children with AR have more severe rhinitis symptoms and more often suffer from asthma-related events and admissions.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Allergy and Respiratory Department, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore. chiang.wen.chin@kkh.com.sg
authors.forename: Wen Chin
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Yu Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Henry K K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Abhilash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balakrishnan
authors.forename: Woei Kang
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Liew
authors.forename: Hwee Hoon
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Si Hui
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: Wen Yin
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Loh
authors.forename: Petrina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Oon Hoe
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Teoh
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: Oh Moh
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Chay
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012223:Rhinitis, Vasomotor / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012306:Risk; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D012882:Skin Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D000420:Albuterol