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Updates on Children with Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma during the COVID-19 Outbreak
Giulia Brindisi1, Valentina De Vittori1, Rosalba De Nola2,3
1Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Division of Pediatric Allergology and Immunology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Insights
During the COVID-19 lockdown, allergic children experienced fewer symptoms and reduced medication use. This study tracked allergic rhinitis and asthma symptom trends and therapeutic compliance in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic lockdown prompted monitoring of allergic symptoms and treatment adherence in pediatric patients.
- Online surveys were utilized to assess trends during this period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on allergic symptoms in children.
- To evaluate changes in therapeutic compliance for asthma and allergic rhinitis during the lockdown period.
Main Methods:
- An online survey with 12 multiple-choice questions was administered to children aged 6-16 years with asthma and/or rhinitis.
- Participants were sensitized to grass pollen or dust mites and followed at a specialized Allergy and Immunology Service.
- Data collected included disease type, sensitization, symptom recurrence, and medication use during lockdown versus the previous year.
Main Results:
- Out of 82 respondents, 17.8% had asthma, 24.4% had rhinitis, and 57.8% had both.
- A majority of children with asthma and allergic rhinitis reported symptom improvement during lockdown.
- There was a decrease in both on-demand therapies (salbutamol, nasal corticosteroids, antihistamines) and basal therapy use from 2019 to 2020.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric allergic patients showed a general trend of clinical improvement during the SARS-CoV-2 lockdown.
- A significant reduction in the use of both on-demand and basal therapies was observed in this cohort.
Background:
During the lockdown period caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we monitored via online survey the trend of allergic symptoms and the therapeutic compliance in patients followed at our center.
Material And Methods:
In June 2020, we selected children followed at the Allergy and Immunology Service of Umberto I Hospital, aged between 6 and 16 years old, diagnosed with asthma and/or rhinitis and sensitized to grass pollen or dust mite. We sent an email with 12 multiple-choice questions investigating several areas: type of disease and sensitization, recurrence of symptoms, medication use during lockdown compared to the same period of the previous year.
Results:
The results of 82 questionnaires showed that 17.8% of patients suffered from asthma, 24.4% from rhinitis, and 57.8% from both. Within the group of asthmatic children, most of them presented an improvement of their symptoms. Likewise, with regard to allergic rhinitis, most of them reported better clinical conditions. Regarding treatment, we observed a global decrease in the use of on-demand therapies (salbutamol, nasal corticosteroid, and antihistamine) for both pathologies. In addition, there was a reduction in the use of basal therapy for asthma and rhinitis from 2019 (23.3%) to 2020 (15.5%).
Conclusions:
Our data show a general trend of clinical improvement and a reduction in the use of on-demand and basal therapy in allergic children during the lockdown.
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