Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis
Published on: December 20, 2024
Allergic diseases in preschoolers are associated with psychological and behavioural problems
Hyoung Yoon Chang1, Ju-Hee Seo, Hyung Young Kim
1Department of Psychiatry, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Preschoolers with allergic rhinitis (AR) and atopic dermatitis (AD) show more psychological and behavioral issues, unlike those with asthma. This suggests shared mechanisms between allergies and behavioral problems.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Background:
- Allergic diseases like asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and atopic dermatitis (AD) are common in children.
- The co-occurrence of allergic diseases with psychological and behavioral problems warrants further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between asthma, AR, and AD and psychological/behavioral issues in preschoolers.
- To understand differences in these associations across the three major allergic diseases.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional community survey of 780 preschoolers.
- Utilized modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood and Korean Child Behaviour Checklist.
- Included 575 preschoolers with complete data for analysis.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of diagnosed AR and AD was higher than asthma.
- Internalizing and sleep problems were significantly linked to AR.
- AD treatment in the past year correlated with attention problems and ADHD symptoms.
- Sleep problems severity in AD related to disease severity and eosinophil levels.
Conclusions:
- Psychological and behavioral problems are more strongly associated with allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis than asthma.
- Findings suggest potential shared underlying mechanisms between allergic diseases and behavioral issues.
- Highlights the need for integrated care approaches for allergic children.
Purpose:
The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between three major allergic diseases, asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and atopic dermatitis (AD), and psychological and behavioural problems in preschoolers based on a community survey.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire to determine the prevalence of symptoms and diagnosed allergic diseases, and a Korean version of the Child Behaviour Checklist to assess internalizing, externalizing, and sleep problems among 780 preschoolers. Five-hundred and seventy-five preschoolers with valid data were included in this study.
Results:
The prevalence of lifetime diagnosis and treatment in the past 12 months was 8.7% and 4.4% for asthma, 24.4% and 19.2% for AR, and 35.1% and 16.6% for AD, respectively. Scores for internalizing and sleep problems were significantly higher in those diagnosed with AR. Preschoolers who had been treated for AD in the past 12 months had higher attention problem and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder scores. Sleep problems were more severe in moderate to severe AD compared to control and mild AD groups, categorised according to SCOring index of AD. The severity of sleep problems correlated positively with the percentage of eosinophils in peripheral blood.
Conclusions:
Psychological and behavioural problems differed among the three major allergic diseases, weaker association for asthma and stronger association for AR and AD. The results of this study may lead to the identification of potential underlying shared mechanisms common to allergic diseases and psychological and behavioural problems.
Related Concept Videos
Allergic Reactions
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis
Asthma-I: Introduction
Asthma I: Introduction
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.

