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Background: Although randomized controlled trials (RCT) are the reference standard of evidence in allergen immunotherapy (AIT), nonrandomized studies (NRS) are needed to confirm their results in more representative populations, particularly for treatment duration and persistence. However, when discrepancies are observed between RCT and NRS, NRS reliability decreases because these discrepant results are generally attributed to the methodologic flaws of NRS. Objective: We compared the benefit of sublingual AIT (SLIT) for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in NRS versus RCT focusing on a single product/allergen to reduce heterogeneity. Methods: For meta-analysis, house dust mite (HDM) SLIT liquid formulation studies were sourced from computerized (Medline, Web of Science, and LILACS databases, to January 2023) and manual literature searches. Populations, treatments, and outcome data were combined (DerSimonian-Laird method). Noncomparative NRS were compared to RCT’ SLIT arm before and after treatment. Efficacy was determined as the standardized mean difference (SMD) in symptom score (SS) and medication score (MS). Results: Data from 12 NRS (682 patients) and 8 RCT (176 patients) were analyzed. The benefit with index of reactivity (IR)-HDM SLIT liquid formulation was found significant for, first, SS in both NRS (SMD = −1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.64, −0.90) and RCT (SMD = −0.56; 95% CI, −0.90, −0.21), and second, MS with SMD equal to −1.35 (95% CI, −1.77, −0.93) and −0.46 (95% CI, −0.67, −0.25), respectively. Metaregression showed that symptom improvement was correlated with treatment duration with consistent results in NRS and RCT with 12-month SS data: −0.87 (interquartile range, −1.02, −0.77) and −0.75 (interquartile range, −0.93, −0.41), respectively. Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed comparable clinical benefit of IR-HDM SLIT liquid formulation increasing over time in both NRS and RCT, suggesting that NRS may reliably integrate RCT results and be considered for guidelines.

Abstract Background There are limited data from non‐industrialized settings on the effects of early life viral respiratory disease on childhood respiratory illness. We followed a birth cohort in tropical Ecuador to understand how early viral respiratory disease, in the context of exposures affecting airway inflammation including ascariasis, affect wheezing illness, asthma, and rhinoconjunctivitis in later childhood. Methods A surveillance cohort nested within a birth cohort was monitored for respiratory infections during the first 2 years in rural Ecuador and followed for 8 years for the development of wheeze and rhinoconjunctivitis. Nasal swabs were examined for viruses by polymerase chain reaction and respiratory symptom data on recent wheeze and rhinoconjunctivitis were collected by periodic questionnaires at 3, 5, and 8 years. Stools from pregnant mothers and periodically from children aged 2 years were examined microscopically for soil‐transmitted helminths. Atopy was measured by allergen skin prick testing at 2 years. Spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurement, and nasal washes were performed at 8 years. Associations between clinically significant respiratory disease (CSRD) and wheezing or rhinoconjunctivitis at 3, 5, and 8 years were estimated using multivariable logistic regression. Results Four hundred and twenty six children were followed of which 67.7% had at least one CSRD episode; 12% had respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)+CSRD and 36% had rhinovirus (RHV)+CSRD. All‐cause CSRD was associated with increased wheeze at 3 (OR 2.33 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.23–4.40]) and 5 (OR: 2.12 [95% CI 1.12–4.01]) years. RHV+CSRD was more strongly associated with wheeze at 3 years in STH‐infected (STH‐infected [OR 13.41, 95% CI 1.56–115.64] vs. uninfected [OR 1.68, 95% CI 0.73–3.84]) and SPT+ (SPT+ [OR 9.42, 95% CI 1.88–47.15] versus SPT‐ [OR 1.92, 95% CI 0.84–4.38]) children. No associations were observed between CSRD and rhinoconjunctivitis. Discussion CSRD was significantly associated with childhood wheeze with stronger associations observed for RHV+CSRD in SPT+ and STH‐infected children.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of combined allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) with combined sensitization to pollen and household allergens. To achieve this goal, 49 patients with AR of working age were examined – 35.5±1.5 years with clinical manifestations of seasonal rhinoconjunctival syndrome with a long period of 9.2±1.1 years, among which there were 25 (51.0%) males and 24 (49%) females. All patients were divided into 2 homogeneous groups by age, sex, duration of the disease, the average number of etiologically significant allergens: the main one – 31 patients who received combined ASIT with solutions of pollen and household allergens and a comparison group – 18 patients for whom only pollen allergens were used. Allergological examination included anamnesis, skin tests with pollen allergens (wormwood, ragweed, quinoa, corn, etc.) and household (house dust, mites, epidermal agents) and / or molecular research methods using the ALEX technology. The quantitative integral assessment of the intensity of AR clinical symptoms was calculated as a total score for the main symptoms. The maximum score for the severity of nasal symptoms – 12, eye - 6, total – 18. The results obtained and their analysis indicate that under the influence of ASIT pollen and household allergens in patients there is a significant and reliable decrease in the intensity of clinical manifestations of seasonal rhinoconjunctive syndrome: nasal manifestations – by 52,2%, conjunctival – by 60%, integral – by 54.3% and an increase of 2.2 times in the percentage of patients in the main group with the disappearance or minimization of clinical symptoms of the disease after treatment compared with patients from the comparison group, which convincingly proves and confirms high efficiency of the selected type of therapy in patients with AR in combination with sensitization to pollen and household allergens.

The prevalence of ocular allergies has been increasing worldwide for the past several decades. The geographical distribution and hot spots of rhinoconjunctivitis have been documented in a global survey by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). ISAAC indicated that Africa, Latin America, and Japan were notable for their high prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis. The outcomes of follow-up studies of regional differences and the characteristics of allergic conjunctivitis are summarized in this review.Currently, comorbid diseases and socioeconomic and environmental factors, including climate and air pollution, are proposed to contribute to the regional differences in the prevalence of allergic conjunctivitis. Of them, rhinitis has been shown repeatedly to be significantly associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Their mechanistic aspects on association with the prevalence of systemic allergic diseases have been reviewed by examining the birth cohort or in vitro analyses.A vision threatening form of ocular allergy, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, is prevalent in the African countries and Japan. Of the proposed associated factors, air pollution was shown to contribute not only to aggravating the symptoms but also to the increase in the incidence of its severe forms. Its mechanistic aspects are discussed in this review in the context of comorbid diseases.

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common human diseases and causes a deterioration of the quality of life. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the Russian Federation and in the world has increased significantly. The main pharmacological group in the treatment of allergic rhinitis is the 2nd generation antihistamines with high affinity for H1-receptors. The article presents an overview of the new representative of the abovementioned group of drugs - the drug bilastine (Nixar®).

Background: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) showed a wide variability in prevalence and severity of allergic rhinitis (AR) and rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC), in addition to other atopic diseases (Asher et al, 2006).1 The Global Asthma Network (GAN) has continued to study these conditions. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of AR and ARC in children and adolescents in Mexico and to assess their association with different risk factors. Methods: GAN Phase I is a cross-sectional, multicentre survey carried out in 15 centres corresponding to 14 Mexican cities throughout 2016–2019 using the validated Spanish language version of the GAN Phase I questionnaires. The questionnaires were completed by 35 780 parents of 6–7 year old primary school pupils (children) and by 41 399 adolescents, 13–14 years old. Results: The current and cumulative prevalence of AR was higher in the adolescents (26.2–37.5%, respectively) in comparison to the children (17.9–24.9%, respectively), especially in female participants. This tendency was also observed in the current prevalence of ARC, where 15.1% of female adolescents reported nasal symptoms accompanied with itchy-watery eyes in the past year. The most important risk factors for AR and ARC were the presence of wheezing in the past 12 months, wheezing in the first year of life, the previous diagnosis of asthma and eczema symptoms. Furthermore, allergic symptoms had a negative tendency concerning altitude. Conclusion: This is the largest AR epidemiological study ever conducted in Mexico. It shows an increase in AR prevalence, as well as significant associations with modifiable risk factors, which could help to establish recommendations to reduce the burden of this condition.

Background: Symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic eczema in children cluster at both the individual and population levels. Objectives: To assess individual-level and school-level risk factors for symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis and compare them to corresponding associations with symptoms of asthma and eczema in Phase Three of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Methods: We studied 116,863 children aged 6–7 years from 2163 schools in 59 centres and 22 countries and 224,436 adolescents aged 13–14 years from 2037 schools in 97 centres in 41 countries. Multilevel logistic regression models were fitted with random intercepts for school, centre, and country, adjusting for sex and maternal education at the child level. Associations between symptoms and a range of lifestyle and environmental risk factors were assessed for both the child's exposure and mean exposure at the school. Models were fitted for rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, and eczema singly (unimorbidity) and for combinations of these conditions (multimorbidity). Results: Generally, associations between symptoms and exposures at the school level were similar in direction and magnitude to those at the child level. Associations with multimorbidity were stronger than for unimorbidity, particularly in individuals with symptoms of all three diseases, but risk factor associations found in conventional single disease analyses persisted among children with only one condition, after excluding multimorbid groups.Comparisons of individuals with only one disease showed that many risk factor associations were consistent across the three conditions. More strongly associated with asthma were low birthweight, cat exposure in infancy, and current maternal smoking. Current paracetamol use was more strongly associated with asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis than eczema. Breastfeeding was more strongly associated with eczema than asthma or rhinoconjunctivitis.The direction and magnitude of most risk factor associations were similar in affluent and non-affluent countries, although notable exceptions include farm animal contact in infancy and larger sibships, which were associated with increased risk of rhinoconjunctivitis in non-affluent countries but reduced risk in affluent countries. In both age groups, current paracetamol use increased risk of each disease to a greater extent in affluent countries than in non-affluent countries. Effects of paracetamol and antibiotics in infancy were more consistent between richer and poorer settings. Conclusions: Most of the environmental and lifestyle correlates of rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma and eczema in childhood display similarity across the three conditions, even in less affluent settings where allergic sensitisation is less likely to explain the concordant epidemiological patterns. Trial registration: Not applicable.

The objective of the systematic review is to provide complete and updated information on efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) formulations for the treatment of allergic respiratory diseases (ARDs). The literature search was conducted on PubMed database, involving double-blind, randomized clinical trials published between January 1992 and 2018, written in English, and performed in humans. The number of articles finally selected for review was 112. Data from the majority of properly controlled clinical trials demonstrate that SLIT is effective not only with short-term use (first year) but also with long-term use (up to the third year of active therapy), for treating ARDs in children and adults. Both continuous and discontinuous schemes of administration showed significant reductions in symptom and medication scores. Moreover, a SLITinduced disease-modifying effect has been documented mainly with grass pollen extracts, since improvement is maintained during at least 2 years of follow-up after a 3-year treatment period. Additionally, allergen immunotherapy should also be considered a preventive strategy, especially for decreasing bronchial asthma incidence in children and adolescents with allergic rhinitis treated with SLIT. This therapy is also safe, producing only a few mainly local and mild-to-moderate adverse events, and usually self-limited in time. The registration and authorization of allergen SLIT preparations (grasses and house-dust mite tablets) as drugs by regulatory agencies, such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), has represented a landmark in allergy immunotherapy research. Further long-term studies, specially designed with allergens other than grass pollen or house-dust mites, not only in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis but also on asthmatic subjects, as well as studies comparing different administration schedules and/or routes, are required in order to continue the progress in the modern development of this particularly promising therapy.

Abstract Introduction Intra-seasonal start of treatment with the SQ® grass sublingual immunotherapy(SLIT) tablet (GRAZAX®, ALK, Denmark) has been previously demonstrated to be well-tolerated. The objective of our study was to investigate the tolerability of intra-seasonal start of treatment comparing patients treated by allergists and general practitioners experienced in treatment of allergy (GPs). Methods In a non-interventional, open-label, observational study, data on intra-seasonal start with the SQ® grass SLIT tablet were recorded in patients treated by allergists and GPs in Germany. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded by the physicians at first administration and during the 1–3-month observation period. The tablets taken and any AEs were recorded by the patients in diaries for the first 14 days. Results Treatment with the SQ® grass SLIT tablet was started in 198 patients, and in 179 intra-seasonal (allergists: 140, GPs: 39) and 19 post-seasonal; average treatment period was 47 days. AEs related to intra-seasonal start were reported in 43.6% of patients; no relevant differences between allergists and GPs were observed. In the subgroup of GPs, patients were younger (p = 0.0191), had more frequently asthma (p = 0.0043), more patients used symptomatic medication in the previous pollen season (p = 0.0198) and were more frequently treated for other diseases (p = 0.0467). In the allergists subgroup, more diagnostic allergy tests were applied (p

Abstract Background Rhinoconjunctivitis is a global health problem and one of the most common chronic conditions in children. Development of rhinoconjunctivitis depends on both genetic and environmental factors. Many studies have investigated rhinoconjunctivitis, but only few studies have evaluated the risk factors for non-allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in children finding family history of atopic diseases and gender to be of importance. The aim of this study was to investigate possible risk factors in early life for rhinoconjunctivitis, allergic as well as non-allergic, in adolescence. Methods The children in the Danish Allergy Research Center cohort were examined eight times from birth to 14 years of age. Visits included questionnaire-based interview, clinical examination, skin prick test and specific IgE. We used univariate and multivariate logistic regression to investigate the relationship between early-life risk factors and the development of rhinoconjunctivitis, allergic as well as non-allergic, in adolescence. Results Follow-up rate at 14-years was 66.2%. The prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis was 32.8%. Family history of atopic diseases (aOR 2.25), atopic dermatitis (aOR 3.24), food allergy (aOR 3.89), early sensitization to inhalant and food allergens (aOR 2.92 and aOR 3.13) and male gender (aOR 1.90) were associated with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis but not with non-allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Early environmental tobacco exposure was inversely associated with rhinoconjunctivitis (aOR 0.42), allergic (aOR 0.47) as well as non-allergic (aOR 0.43). Conclusion Different patterns of associations were revealed when stratifying rhinoconjunctivitis in allergic and non-allergic suggesting that allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and non-allergic-rhinoconjunctivitis are different phenotypes.

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common human diseases that affect patients’ quality of of life. There has been a significant increase in incidence rates related to allergic rhinitis in the Russian Federation and the world. Second-generation antihistamines having high H1-receptor affinity constitute the main pharmacological group for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. The article presents an overview of Bilastin as a novel drug of the above group.

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most widespread human diseases. The article presents the modern classification of allergic rhinitis, the main approaches to treatment. The indications for carrying out hyposensitizing therapy for this disease have been determined, the effectiveness of nonspecific hyposensitizing therapy, conducted with the antihistamines of the second generation, which have a high affinity for H1 receptors. Also demonstrated the possibilities of the original drug bilastin (Nixar) – a representative of a group of antihistamines.

Since it was introduced by Noon in 1911, allergen-specific immunotherapy or desensitization has been widely prescribed in the management of allergic diseases. Aimed at the etiology, it represents the only effective treatment for allergy. The basic mechanisms of immunotherapy are becoming better understood and allow us to improve this technique in the future. The sublingual immunotherapy as an alternative to subcutaneous route has been widely studied. Several clinical trials confirmed that sublingual immunotherapy is efficient in reducing allergic respiratory symptoms. The sublingual immunotherapy reduces the risk of developing serious side effects due to desensitization. We performed a literature review in order to remind the mechanisms of action and to demonstrate efficacy and tolerability of the sublingual immunotherapy in the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma and its impact on the quality of life.

Allergic rhinitis is one of most widespread human diseases associated with severe limitations in physical, psychological, and social aspects of life, which is the reason for the decline in quality of life. The drugs of first choice in patients with symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis of intermittent as well as of persistent courses are antihistamines of 2nd generation with high affinity to H1-receptors. The article is about a new representative of the above group of drugs, the original drug Niksar® (bilastine).

Objective: To determine the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema in adolescents (AD; 13‐14 years) living in seven Brazilian cities, by applying the standardized written questionnaire (WQ) of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), and to evaluate the time trend nine years after the last assessment of ISAAC phase 3 (ISP3). Methods: The ISAAC‐WQ was answered by 20,099 AD from the Northern, Northeastern, Southeastern, and Southern Brazilian regions. Values obtained were compared to those observed in ISP3 using nonparametric (chi‐squared or Fisher) tests, and the ratio of annual increment/decrement was established for each of the centers, according to the symptom assessed. Results: Considering the national data and comparing to values of ISP3, there was a decrease in the mean prevalence of active asthma (18.5% vs. 17.5%) and an increase in the frequency of severe asthma (4.5% vs. 4.7%) and physician‐diagnosed asthma (14.3% vs. 17.6%). An increase in prevalence of rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic eczema was also observed. Conclusions: The prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema in Brazil was variable; higher prevalence values, especially of asthma and eczema, were observed in regions located closer to the Equator.

The records of patients from the Allergology Service in the Previsora Policlinic, Camagüey were revised to evaluate benefits and risks of the subcutaneous immunotherapy (ITSC) with extracts of acari. The study was observational, analytic and retrospective of cases and controls in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and bronchial asthma. A total of 160 subjects, older than 18 years old, were chosen. Eighty out of them had already received ITSC with dose increase during 13 weeks and maintenance with monthly injections during 18 months. A total of 80 patients who only received prevention measures and medications during the crises were paired. Questionnaires were applied for quality of rhinoconjunctivitis life and asthma, about the consumption of medications and the frequency of the crises. The adverse events were measured, as they were local and systemic to the cutaneous tests, to the ITSC and the different pharmacological treatments. There was a significant increase of the punctuation of life quality questionnaires, (p=0.011). The consumption of medications decreased in both the cases and the controls, without significant differences (p=0.083). The frequency of the rhinitis and asthma crises decrease in the group of ITSC (p=0.029). Slight local and systemic reactions were reported in both groups with Odds ratio (OR)=2.029 in the ITSC group, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.114–3.967 (p=0.019). The results show that the subcutaneous immunotherapy with acari offers benefits and few risks to patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma.

Background: The aim of this study was to clarify whether some environmental and genetic factors (food allergy, older siblings, early day-care attendance and parents' allergy history) are related to the development of allergic symptoms (wheezing in the previous 12 months [WP], eczema symptoms in the previous 12 months [EP], and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in the previous 12 months [RP]) in Japanese children. Methods: Using the modified version of the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISSAC) questionnaire, we studied the prevalence of WP, EP and RP among six-year-old children attending 72 primary schools throughout Himeji City, Japan, during the two years from 2005 to 2006. Results: Food allergy and parents' history of allergy showed a significant relationship with the prevalence of WP, EP and RP. Day-care attendance in the first two years of life and presence of older siblings showed a significant inverse relationship with the prevalence of RP. However, neither day-care attendance nor presence of older siblings was related to the development of W and ER. Conclusions: Among Japanese children, food allergy and parents' history of allergy are risk factors for WP, ES or RS. However, early day-care attendance and presence of older siblings might be protective factors against RS. Infections in early life may affect the prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis in six-year-old children.

BACKGROUND: Asthma and rhinitis often coexist, which potentially increases the disease severity and can negatively impact a patients' quality of life. However, there are few reports based on data obtained from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood examining asthma severity in combination with rhinitisrelated symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate whether current rhinitis and current rhinoconjunctivitis are associated with the development of asthma or its increasing severity in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: The prevalence of current asthma was correlated with the prevalence of current rhinitis and current rhinoconjunctivitis in adolescents (13 to 14 year olds) from 16 Brazilian centers (based on Spearman's rank correlation index). The influence of current rhinitis and current rhinoconjunctivitis on asthma presentation was also evaluated using the chi-squared test and was expressed as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was observed between the prevalence of current asthma and current rhinitis (rs = 0.82; 95%CI: 0.60-0.93, p< 0.0001) and between the prevalence of current asthma and current rhinoconjunctivitis (rs = 0.75; 95%CI: 0.47-0.89, p < 0.0001). Current rhinitis was associated with a significantly increased risk of current asthma and of more severe asthma. Similar results were observed for current rhinoconjunctivitis. CONCLUSION: In this epidemiologic study of Brazilian adolescents, the presence of current rhinitis and current rhinoconjunctivitis was associated with a high risk of developing asthma and increased asthma severity. The mutual evaluation of rhinitis and asthma is necessary to establish an adequate treatment plan.

Objectivos - Determinar a prevalência da associação de sintomas de rinoconjuntivite e asma em adolescentes, analisar se os sintomas de asma são mais intensos e frequentes entre os adolescentes com sintomas de rinoconjuntivite alérgica e avaliar se os adolescentes reconhecem os sintomas de rinoconjuntivite. Métodos - Realizou-se um estudo do tipo corte transversal com dois componentes: um estudo de prevalência e um estudo entre casos (sintomas de rinoconjuntivite ), com um grupo de comparação (ausência de sintomas de rinoconjuntivite) a partir de informações dos questionários aplicados na fase 3 do ISAAC, no ano de 2002, na cidade do Recife. Resultados - A prevalência da associação de sintomas de rinoconjuntivite e de provável asma foi de 5,1% (48/940; IC 95%: 3,8 %-6,6%), apenas de asma de 10,9% (103/940; IC 95%: 9,1% -13,1%) e de rinoconjuntivite isolada foi de 9,7% (91/940; IC 95%: 7,9%-13%). Entre os adolescentes com sintomas de rinite, 81,3% (39/48) tinham provável asma persistente, 31,8% (48/151) dos com sintomas de asma referiam também sintomas de rinoconjuntivite. Não reconheciam os sintomas de rinoconjuntivite 65,1% (86/132) dos adolescentes que apresentavam esses sintomas. Conclusão - A associação de sintomas de rinoconjuntivite e asma é frequente e está associada à maior gravidade dos sintomas de asma. O facto de os adolescentes não reconhecerem os sintomas de rinoconjuntivite reflecte o subdiagnóstico, que pode resultar na desvalorização dos sintomas e, consequentemente, no tratamento inadequado.Aim - Our study aimed to determine the rate of association of rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma symptoms in adolescents to analyse whether asthma symptoms are more severe and frequent in asthmatics with concomitant allergic rhinitis and assess if adolescents are aware of having rhinoconjunctivitis. Methods - A cross-sectional study, with two components: a study in prevalence and an inter-case study (rhinitis symptoms) with a comparison group (no rhinitis symptoms), based on information from questionnaires applied in phase 3 of ISAAC in Recife in 2002. Results - Associated rhinoconjunctivitis and probable asthma symptoms were observed in 5.1% of adolescents (48/940; CI 95%: 3.8 %-6.6%), probable asthma alone in 10.9% (103/940; CI 95%: 9.1%- 13.1%) and rhinoconjunctivitis alone in 9.7% (91/940; CI 95%: 7.9%-13%). Among the rhinitisbearing adolescents, almost 81.3% (39/48) had persistent probable asthma and 31.8% (48/151) of asthmatic patients rhinoconjunctivitis. 65.1% (86/132) of adolescents with diagnosed rhinitis were unaware of rhinitis symptoms. Conclusions - The association of rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma symptoms is frequent and associated to more severe asthma symptoms. Adolescents’ unawareness of rhinitis symptoms reflects the underdiagnosis that can result in downplaying the symptoms, and the consequent undertreatment.

To analyze the prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in children living in different countries, the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was developed. The ISAAC Phase One study evaluated approximately 720 000 children in 56 countries, including Japan. In late 1995 and early 1996, we administered the ISAAC questionnaire to 4466 schoolchildren aged 13–14 years of age in 24 schools in Utsunomiya City and Tochigi City (both in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan). With regard to asthma, the reported prevalence of wheezing in the preceding 12 months was 8.4%, of frequent wheezing attacks 0.6% and of wheezing with sleep disturbance 0.5%. The prevalence in the preceding 12 months of rhinitis was 42.1% and of rhinoconjunctivitis was 21.5%. Nasal symptoms were most frequent in April (19.9%) and least frequent in July (5.6%). The prevalence of atopic eczema in the prior 12 months was 9.6% and atopic eczema with sleep disturbance was 0.6%. All prevalence values were slightly increased in Utsunomiya City, the largest city in Tochigi Prefecture, in comparison with Tochigi City. In conclusion, in Japanese cities, 33.3% of children had some allergic symptoms and 2.4% of children reported severe allergic symptoms.

INTRODUCTION An increase of severe and complex phenotypes of allergy has been recently documented, especially in the young population and in children. Allergic rhinitis has a prevalence of up to 50% per selected age groups in certain countries. OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND This study aims to evaluate disease severity and life quality impairment in allergic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Allergic patients were evaluated in the Allergology Clinic. We selected a total number of 84 patients with seasonal pollinosis who lacked other respiratory comorbidities. An objective symptoms score was constructed and checked against patients’ self-evaluation score, both scores ranging on a scale of 1 to 10. RESULTS The most frequent clinical manifestations were nasal symptoms (mainly nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea in almost 80% of patients), as well as ocular symptoms (mainly pruritus in 65% of patients). We found a moderate correlation (rho=0.508, p

Abstract Background Studies on the associations between smoking and allergic diseases have mostly focused on asthma. Epidemiological studies in adults on the effects of smoking on allergic diseases other than asthma, such as eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis, have been limited, and the information that is available has been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between smoking status and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and the prevalence of allergic diseases. Methods Study subjects were 1743 pregnant Japanese women. The definitions of wheeze and asthma were based on criteria from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey whereas those of eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis were based on criteria from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Adjustment was made for age; region of residence; family history of asthma, atopic eczema, and allergic rhinitis; household income; and education. Results Compared with never smoking, current smoking and ≥ 4 pack-years of smoking were independently positively associated with the prevalence of wheeze. There were no associations between smoking status and the prevalence of asthma, eczema, or rhinoconjunctivitis. When subjects who had never smoked were classified into four categories based on the source of ETS exposure (never, only at home, only at work, and both), exposure occurring both at home and at work was independently associated with an increased prevalence of two outcomes: wheeze and rhinoconjunctivitis. No relationships were observed between exposure to ETS and the prevalence of asthma or eczema. Conclusions Our results provide evidence that current smoking and ETS exposure may increase the likelihood of wheeze. The possibility of a positive association between ETS exposure and rhinoconjunctivitis was also suggested.