ALLERGIC RHINITIS SYMPTOMS PREVALENCE IN CHILDREN OF KHARKIV CITY

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms in children of Kharkiv city and to establish the dynamics of symptoms since 1998. The study is phase IV of the international ISAAC program. It was conducted in 2015-2017. 5735 children were interviewed, including 3238 children aged 6-7 years old and 2197 children aged 13-14 years old. The incidence of non-cold-related sneezing was found in 14.7% and 16.1%, respectively; during the past 12 months similar problems with nose breathing were noted in 9.1% and 9.9%; accompanied by conjunctivitis – in 3.4% and 4.8% of children 6-7 and 13-14 years, respectively. Most patients had seasonal exacerbations and mild / moderate rhinitis. The AR diagnosis was verified in 12.2% and 11.3% of children, respectively. The decreasing of AR symptoms prevalence was found in children of all ages. The dynamics of the AR symptoms prevalence, "eye" symptoms over the past 20 years show a probable decrease in all indicators, which can be explained by the widespread introduction in medical practice of screening methods for the disease diagnosing, activation of primary and secondary prevention.