title: Rising trend of allergic rhinitis prevalence among Turkish schoolchildren.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the time trends and possible risk factors associated with allergic rhinitis symptoms in schoolchildren from Denizli, Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two identical cross-sectional surveys were performed in the 13- to 14-yr age group at intervals of six years using ISAAC questionnaire. Possible risk factors were also asked and the children completed questionnaires by self.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 4078 children (response rate 75%) in the 2008 and 3004 children (response rate, 93.8%) in 2002 were included. The lifetime prevalence of rhinitis, 12-month prevalence of rhinitis, prevalence of associated itchy eye in the previous 12 months and doctor diagnosed allergic rhinitis prevalence were increased from 34.2% to 49.4% (POR=1.87, 95% CI=47.8-50.9 and p ≤ 0.001), from 23.5.0% to 32.9% (POR=1.59, 95% CI=31.4-34.3 and p ≤ 0.001), from 9.6% to 14.9% (POR=1.64, 95% CI=13.8-16.0 and p ≤ 0.001), and from 4.3% to 7% (POR=1.67, 95% CI=6.2-7.8 and p ≤ 0.001) respectively. Severe interference with daily activity in the previous 12 months did not change. In multivariate analysis, history of family atopy, stuffed toys, high annual family income, presence of allergy in mother, father and accompaniment of children to their parents after school hours in textile industry were found as risk factors in 2008 study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of allergic rhinitis increased significantly in 2008. Family history of atopy, stuffed toys, high annual family income and accompaniment of children to their parents in textile industry were found as risk factors for doctor diagnosed allergic rhinitis.
authors.affiliation: Cumhuriyet University, Cumhuriyet School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Allergy, Sivas, Turkey. fatmaduksal@gmail.com
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Duksal
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akcay
authors.forename: Tulay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Becerir
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ergin
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Becerir
authors.forename: Nermin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Guler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Cross-sectional study; ISAAC; Prevalence; Risk factors; Trend