OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study is to investigate the self-reported prevalence and other epidemiological characteristics of allergic rhinitis from 11 cities throughout the mainland of China.

METHODSTelephone interviews were conducted in the two main municipalities (Beijing, Shanghai) and eight capital cities (Changsha, Changchun, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Shenyang, Wuhan, Urumqi and Xi'an) of main provinces throughout the mainland of China after sampling target phone numbers by the approach of random digital dialing (RDD) via computer.

RESULTSIn total, the survey had sampled 684 blocks of telephone numbers in 11 cities, and dialed 119 319 telephone numbers. Of the 38 203 respondents, 4253 subjects reported allergic rhinitis, while the other 33 950 were screened negative in the telephone interviews. The self-reported prevalence of allergic rhinitis was lowest in Xi'an (8.0%), and highest in Urumqi (21.4%), with Nanjing having intermediate value (11.5%). The gender-adjusted prevalence ranged from 8.5% in Xi'an to 21.3% in Urumqi, while the age-adjusted prevalence of self-reported allergic rhinitis ranged from 8.7% in Beijing to 24.1% in Urumqi.

CONCLUSIONSThe study demonstrates that the self-reported prevalence of allergic rhinitis in 11 cities throughout the mainland of China has wide variations, and the strategy of prevention for allergic rhinitis should be conducted according to the epidemic features of it.