Jin A Jung, Woo Sung Chang, Eun Lee, Jeom Kyu Lee, You Sook Youn, Soo Jong Hong, Jisun Yoon, Sungsu Jung, Ji Won Kwon, Hai Lee Chung, Myung Hee Kook, Nam Hee Do, Hwa Jin Cho, Hyang Ok Woo, Ja Hyeong Kim, Song I. Yang, Dong In Suh, Hyejoo Cho, So-Yeon Lee, Hyung Young Kim, Hyun-Ju Cho, Sung Il Woo, Young Ho Kim, Hye Ryoung Yi, Yong Han Sun, Kang Seo Park, and Gwang Cheon Jang
Purpose Data are lacking on the association between the allergic rhinitis (AR) phenotype and sensitization to specific allergens or bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in children. We here investigated risk factors and comorbidities, including sensitization to specific allergens and BHR, for the AR phenotype by AR and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) classification in a general population-based birth cohort study. Methods We enrolled 606 children aged 7 years from the Panel Study of Korean Children. The AR phenotype was assigned in accordance with the ARIA classification in children. Skin prick tests and Provocholine provocation test were performed. Risk factors and comorbidities for AR phenotypes were then analyzed. Results The prevalence of mild and moderate to severe AR in our study cohort was 37.2% and 8.8%, respectively. Recent use of analgesics or antipyretics and current cat ownership were associated with the risk of mild persistent AR. Sensitizations to Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus (Der p), Japanese hop and cat were associated with moderate to severe persistent AR. Children with moderate to severe AR had a higher risk of current asthma and BHR compared to mild AR cases (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77-15.62). Moderate to severe AR with allergic sensitization was associated with the highest risk of BHR (aOR, 11.77; 95% CI, 3.40-40.74). Conclusions Moderate to severe-persistent AR is more closely related to respiratory comorbidities and sensitizations than mild AR. Stratifying the AR phenotype by ARIA classification may assist in disease management.