Prevalencia de síntomas sugestivos de rinitis alérgica en preescolares de 3 a 5 años de Cartagena, Lorca y Murcia

Abstract

Aims To describe the prevalence and severity of symptoms of allergic rhinitis. To correlate symptoms suggestive of atopic rhinitis and different factors described in the medical literature as aggravating or precipitating related. Methods A cross-sectional study in 3-5-year old children were performed in three different cities in Murcia (Spain), between Nov 2004 and Mar 2005. Their parents filled out the questionary, which was validated by means of the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Questions on the symptom prevalence of symptoms of allergic rhinitis and a wide range of factors postulated to be associated with this condition. Odds ratios were adjusted for the confounding effects. Results A total of 3000 questionnaires were distributed to all the students enrolled in the selected schools, and 1784 completed questionnaires were collected, with a response rate of 59.4%. Finally, 1694 questionnaires were used for further analysis. The prevalence global of rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in the last 12 months was 8.6%. The prevalence in each city was: Cartagena 8.4% , Lorca 10.2% and Murcia 7.5%. Logistic regression showed that rhinoconjunctivitis was associated with child allergy test (positive result: OR 14.7, 95% CI: 4.96-43.80; negative result: OR 5.23, 95%IC: 1.93-14.14), mother's allergy test (positive result OR 2.4 95%IC 1.30-4.48, negative result: OR: 0.2, 95%IC: 0.05-0.82), paracetamol use until 12 months of age (OR 2.6, 95%IC: 1.62-4.31), regular maternal exposure during pregnancy to farm animals (OR 2.1, IC95%: 1.004-4.45), not having cat in case it caused allergy (OR 8.1, 95%IC: 2.81-23.20) and frequent cooked vegetables consumption (OR 2.5 IC95%: 1.22-5.00). Conclusion After adjustment for confounding factors, child allergy testing, mother's allergy testing, paracetamol use until 12 months of age, regular maternal exposure during pregnancy to farm animals, not having cat in case it caused allergy, and surprisingly, frequent cooked vegetables consumption, increased the risk of symptoms of allergic rhinitis among preschool children. The mother's allergy test with a negative result, reduced the risk. Other potential factors such as sex, birthweight, prematurity, threatened abortion, infection during gestation, premature rupture of membranes, older siblings, maternal history of asthma, fastfood, salad and cereals intake, cats at home in the first year of life, maternal smoking and smoking households were not associated with symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Further exploration of factors associated with allergic rhinitis symptoms is needed.