Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Like Behavioral Problems and Parenting Stress in Pediatric Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

ObjectivePrevious studies have reported comorbidity of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and allergic diseases. The current study investigated ADHD like behavioral symptoms and parenting stress in pediatric allergic rhinitis.MethodsEighty-seven children (6-13 years old) with allergic rhinitis and 73 age- and sex-matched children of control group were recruited. Diagnosis and severity assessments of allergic rhinitis were determined by a pediatric allergist. The Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF), ADHD Rating Scale (ARS), and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) were completed by their mothers.ResultsIn the allergic rhinitis group, the total PSI-SF score (p<0.01), ARS score (p<0.01), the subscale scores of the CBCL including somatization, attentional problems and emotional instability (p=0.01; p<0.01; p<0.01) and prevalence of ADHD (p=0.03) were significantly higher than those of the control group. Among mothers of children with allergic rhinitis, those of children with comorbid ADHD demonstrated significantly higher parenting stress than those without comorbid ADHD (p<0.01). Parenting stress was correlated with severity of child's allergic symptoms and the ARS total score (beta=0.50, p<0.01; beta=0.39, p<0.01). There was a significant correlation between allergic symptom severity and the ARS total score (B=8.4, SD=2.5, t=3.3, p<0.01).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that ADHD symptoms were common in children with allergic rhinitis, and this factor increased parenting stress and disrupted the parent-child relationship. Routine evaluation and early management of ADHD symptoms in pediatric allergic rhinitis may benefit families of children with allergic rhinitis.

Associations between allergic diseases and attention deficit hyperactivity/oppositional defiant disorders in children

“…Children who had ever been diagnosed with allergic rhinitis had higher risks of having inattentive and combined ADHD. A previous study had shown that only inattention symptoms (but not hyperactivity symptoms) were associated with allergic rhinitis (19), which is in agreement with the observations of our study. It has been demonstrated that asthmatic children exhibit more symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity in adolescence than controls (11).…”

Ecological factors associated with behavioral problems in vulnerable children

“…These data showed that 78.5% of the children who were currently suffering from a chronic illness had allergy‐related diseases, such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, or atopic dermatitis (data not shown). Consistent with these findings, Lee et al () reported that children with allergic rhinitis manifested more somatization than do children without allergic rhinitis. Meanwhile, it was found that the obese children had higher scores on other problems (i.e.…”

“…The boys exhibited a higher prevalence of externalizing behavioral problems than the girls and the older children manifested a higher prevalence of internalizing behavioral problems than their younger counterparts. Reportedly, chronic illness, such as allergic rhinitis, was significantly related to the manifestation of somatization and attentional problems (Lee et al , ), while overweight or obesity status was significantly associated with externalizing and internalizing behavioral problems among children (Datar & Sturm, ; Hwang et al , ). Furthermore, low levels of self‐esteem have been reported to be a risk factor for externalizing behavioral problems (Shin, Kang, & Lee, ).…”

Die Assoziation von Allergien und psychischen Auffälligkeiten im Kindes- und Jugendalter

“…Allergische Rhinokonjunktivitis ist eine weitere allergische Erkrankung, die mit AD(H)S und mit depressiven Störungen assoziiert ist (20). Mögliche Ursachen für diese Verbindung bestehen darin, dass die störenden Symptome der allergischen Rhinokonjunktivitis und die dadurch verminderte Lebensqualität sowie damit verbundener Stress den Patienten kognitiv und emotional beeinträchtigen.…”