Epidemiological Features of Allergic Rhinitis in Four Major Cities in Western China
10.1007/sl1596-011-0469-1
- Author:
SHEN JI
1
;
KE XIA
;
HONG SULING
;
ZENG QING
;
LIANG CHUANYU
;
LI TONGYING
;
TANG ANZHOU
Author Information
1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The People's Hospital of Changshou, Chongqing, 401220, China
- Keywords:
western China;
epidemiology;
intermittent allergic rhinitis;
persistent allergic rhinitis;
self-reported allergic rhinitis
- From:
Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Medical Sciences)
2011;31(4):433-440
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Allergic rhinitis (AR),with an increasing uptrend of the prevalence in many developed and developing countries,is a global health problem that affects people of all ages and ethnic groups.However,data on the prevalence of self-reported AR in western China are rare.This study investigated the epidemiological features of self-reported AR in western China.In the cross-sectional,population-based study,a validated questionnaire survey on self-reported AR was carried out in 4 major cities in western China by multistage,stratified and cluster sampling,from January to December 2008.The total prevalence rate was 34.3%,with 32.3% (Chongqing),34.3% (Chengdu),37.9% (Urumqi),30.3% (Nanning),respectively.The prevalence presented to increase with age before 30 years old while decrease with age after 30 years old,and the highest prevalence was in 19-30 years group in Chongqing,Chengdu and Nanning which significantly showed “persistent and moderate-severe” type (P<0.0001); In Urumqi,there wasn't a significant increasing or decreasing trend of prevalence rate with age but with an “intermittent and mild”predominance (P<0.0001).There were no distinct sexual differences in prevalence rates in the 4 cities.The morbidity was positively related to monthly average temperature and sunshine (r=0.76645,P=0.0036; r=0.67303,P=0.0165),but negatively associated with relative humidity (r=-0.64391,P=0.0238) in Urumqi.Interestingly,the monthly morbidity was negatively associate with average temperature,sunshine and precipitation in Nanning (r=-0.81997,P=0.0011; r=-0.60787,P=0.0360; r=-0.59443,P=0.0415).Self-reported AR is becoming common in western China with a rapid development in recent years,affecting about three persons out of ten.The climatic factors may have an indirect impact on the prevalence rate through the effects on the local allergens.