Prevalence of allergic rhinitis among adolescents from Distrito Federal, Brazil: comparison between ISAAC phases I and III

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in a random group of schoolchildren aged 13 to 14 years in Brasilia, Brazil, to evaluate tendencies over 6 years and to compare prevalence rates among different socioeconomic groups.Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were undertaken 6 years apart, using the ISAAC (phases I and II) written questionnaire. Thirtynine schools were chosen at random from eight administrative regions in Brasilia, and were classified into three groups according to the socioeconomic conditions of the population.Results: A total of 3,009 questionnaires were collected. Of these 53.5% related to female children and 80% to students from public schools. Prevalence rates for diagnosed rhinitis, recent rhinitis and allergic rhinitis were 20, 29.3 and 12.2%, respectively. Rhinitis was more prevalent in private schools than public ones (17.8 versus 14.1%) and sufferers were predominantly female. Prevalence rates were also higher among populations with higher socioeconomic status (23.5 versus 12.2%). Comparison with the 1996 dataset revealed significant increases in the prevalence of diagnosed rhinitis (12.7 versus 20%, p = 0.001). These increases were observed at all socioeconomic levels.Conclusion: A large number of 13 and 14-year-old children resident in the Distrito Federal exhibit symptoms indicative of rhinitis and the majority of them have allergic rhinitis.Over a six-year period the prevalence of allergic rhinitis increased significantly, predominantly affecting females and with greater prevalence among students at private school and from families with higher socioeconomic status. ResumoObjetivos: Determinar a prevalência de rinite alérgica em um grupo aleatório de escolares de Brasília (DF), com idade entre 13-14 anos; avaliar suas tendências ao longo de 6 anos e comparar as taxas de prevalência entre diferentes grupos socioeconômicos.Métodos: Dois estudos de corte transversal foram realizados com intervalo de 6 anos, usando o questionário escrito do protocolo ISAAC (fases I e III). Nesta pesquisa, 39 escolas foram escolhidas aleatoriamente, em oito regiões administrativas de Brasília, e divididas em três grupos, segundo as condições socioeconômicas da população.Resultados: Foram obtidos 3.009 questionários, sendo 53,5% do sexo feminino e 80% de alunos de escolas públicas. As prevalências de rinite diagnosticada, rinite recente e rinite alérgica foram 20, 29,3 e 12,2%, respectivamente. A prevalência de rinite foi maior nas escolas privadas do que nas escolas públicas (17,8 versus 14,1%) e predominou no sexo feminino. Também foi maior nas populações de melhor nível socioeconômico (23,5 versus 12,2%). Comparando com dados de 1996, houve aumento significativo da prevalência de rinite diagnosticada (12,7 versus 20%, p = 0,001), aumento que ocorreu em todos os níveis socioeconômicos.Conclusão: Um grande número de crianças de 13 e 14 anos de idade do Distrito Federal está apresentando os sintomas relacionados à rinite, a maioria dos quais representa rinite alérgica.Em um pe...

Rhinoconjunctivitis prevalence and associated factors in school children aged 6–7 and 13–14 years old in Bogota, Colombia

“…However, in this study we found a higher frequency of rhinoconjunctivitis in girls than in boys, both in childhood and adolescence. Our results are in line with those from the German study that compared ISAAC phases I (1995) and III (2000), which found that girls had a higher prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis compared to boys in both periods, and increasing trends in the prevalence for girls in phase-III [27][28][29][30][31][32]. The same was found in Estonia [35], Finland [36] and United Kingdom [37].…”

“…However, the increase in prevalence was more common in the group aged 6-7 years than in the group of adolescents aged 13-14 years. Although the centers report a wide variety of results for both age groups, most of the centers reported an increase in the prevalence of the three allergic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis) as reported in Hong Kong [27], Turkey [28], and the comparative studies between phase I and III in Germany [29], Brazil [30], and Poland [31]; while others reported a decrease [5].…”

Prediction of the incidence and persistence of allergic rhinitis in adolescence: A prospective cohort study

“…[31][32][33] Sherrill et al 34 report prevalences of AR of between 20% and 29% in this age group; however, their definition of AR was only based on current symptoms or medication and not on physician-diagnosed AR with current symptoms and is therefore less specific than ours.…”

“…The risk factors indicated in our study are in accordance with those of other studies. 11,31,35,36 However, thus far, none of these studies have used the information for individual prediction of disease course.…”

Violence, Abuse, and Asthma in Puerto Rican Children

“…Using the data from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), researchers in Cape Town, South Africa, found a positive association between higher SES and the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (38). An ISAAC study in Brazil also found a higher prevalence of physician-diagnosed rhinitis among those with higher versus lower SES (defined as ''purchasing power'') (39). In a population-based study of 1.2 million Swedish males (ages 17 to 20 yr) conducted over three decades, low SES was associated with reduced odds of allergic rhinitis among those born in the earliest cohorts (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.82-0.85).…”