Allergic rhinitis : a study on the prevalence, clinical and personality profiles among adolescents /
Agnes Gonzales-Andaya [and two others]
OBJECTIVES: To know the profile and estimate the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in adolescents and describe their personality characteristics
METHODS: Allergic Rhinitis questionnaires (ARQ) were distributed to 1,459 randomly sampled high school students. Students found to have allergic rhinitis underwent an allergy skin prick test. The and compare High School Personality Questionnaire (HSPQ) was then utilized to describe the personality characteristics of the subjects and control.
RESULTS: The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the adolescent population was 12.2% with a male to female ratio of 1:1. The mean age of onset of symptoms at 8.5 years. Seventy-eight percent of the AR population were from Manila, 33% from Quezon City and the rest from outskirts of Metro Manila. The most common presenting symptoms were watery nasal discharge (73%), frequent sneezing (71%), and nasal congestion (71%). Associated symptoms consisted of headaches (53%), eye pruritus (45%), tearing (36%), dizziness (31%), sore throat (27%), hoarseness (25%), itchy throat (24%), cough (38%), dyspnea after exercise (32%), chest tightness (26%), shortness of breath (25%), and wheezing (20%) Fifty-five percent reported their symptoms to occur in the morning. Seasonal occurrence was present in 52% and 48% had perennial occurrence, with peak months of July to December The most common precipitating factors were housedust (67%), smoke (56%) and sudden changes in temperature (55%). Most of the ARP were exposed to cotton pillows (50%), cat/dogs (48%), and cockroach (40%). Sixty-one percent had a positive family history of allergy with majority in other siblings. Fifty-four percent have personal histories of other allergic disease. In both family and personal histories of allergy, bronchial asthma was the most common. Allergic skin testing was positive in 85%. Nasal mucosa was pale and boggy in 73%. There is no association between the number of positive skin reactions to the degree of paleness and bogginess of the nasal mucosa. Chi-square of the HSPQ results showed a significant association between personality traits affected by feelings, phlegmatic, shy, tough-minded (Prob = 0.0449) in adolescents with AR. Male AR adolescents were more shy, casual, obedient, relaxed, group dependent, (Prob=0.00402) more intelligent and tenderminded that their female counterparts, who on the other hand were found to be more assertive and tough-minded (Prob=0.00966).
The Filipino Family Physician, 1997 35 ( 1 ) pages 1-12