Trends in prevalence and risk factors of allergic rhinitis symptoms in primary schoolchildren six years apart in Budapest

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Few data are available concerning the time trends and risk factors associated with allergic rhinitis (AR) in schoolchildren in Hungary. METHODS: At an interval of six years, parents of 6-12-year-old children completed identical ISAAC-based and additional questionnaires related to possible risk factors. RESULTS: Response rate was 62.8% with 6335 questionnaires distributed in 2007, and 52.9% with 6441 questionnaires in 2013. The prevalence of current AR symptoms (subjects presenting clinical symptoms of AR in the past 12 months, but had yet to be diagnosed by physician) increased significantly from 14.9% to 23.5% (p<0.001). There was no significant change in the prevalence of physician-diagnosed AR (11.6-11.2%). In multivariate analysis, gender (OR 0.733; CI 0.642-0.931), a family history of atopy (OR 2.017; CI 1.669-2.436), frequent upper respiratory tract infections (OR 2.033; CI 1.659-2.492), long-lasting disease before the appearance of the allergy (OR 2.119; CI 1.311-3.428), feather bedding (OR 0.773; CI 0.599-0.996) and living in a green area (OR 1.367; CI 1.133-1.650) were found to be significant risk factors of cumulative AR in 2013. In both of the groups with (p<0.000) or without (p<0.003) AR the families with a history of atopy used feather bedding less frequently than families without atopy. CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of physician-diagnosed AR has not shown significant changes during the studied interval, the significant increase of the current AR symptoms suggests growing prevalence of AR among children in Budapest. Our results revealed new aspects of bedding customs in atopic families.