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Health burden of co-morbid asthma and allergic rhinitis in West Indian children

L M Pinto Pereira1, J Jackman, N Figaro

  • 1Faculties of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. lexleyp@gmail.com

Allergologia Et Immunopathologia
|December 25, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects over half of children with asthma in Trinidad. This comorbidity increases emergency visits, symptoms, and school absences, highlighting a significant health burden.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood asthma is highly prevalent in Caribbean nations.
  • The comorbidity of allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma in this region remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of AR in children with asthma in Trinidad.
  • To determine the impact of co-morbid AR on asthma exacerbations and related healthcare utilization.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized International Primary Care Airways Group (IPAG) guidelines to diagnose AR.
  • Interviewed caregivers of 393 children attending asthma clinics in Trinidadian public health facilities.
  • Collected data on demographics, AR status, household smoking exposure, and healthcare utilization.

Main Results:

  • 53.9% of asthmatic children sampled had co-morbid AR.
  • Children with AR were nearly twice as likely to be exposed to household smoking (OR=1.9).
  • Asthmatics with AR showed significantly higher rates of Accident and Emergency (A&E) visits (OR=1.75), more frequent A&E visits, and increased day/night symptoms and school absenteeism.

Conclusions:

  • Allergic rhinitis is highly prevalent in Trinidadian children with asthma.
  • Co-morbid AR significantly increases the burden of asthma, leading to more A&E visits, persistent symptoms, and missed school days.
Abstract

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