Allergic rhinitis: Incidence and remission from childhood to young adulthood-A prospective study

Longitudinal studies on allergic rhinitis (AR) incidence and remission from childhood to adulthood are limited. This study aimed to estimate AR incidence and remission from age 8 to 19 years and to identify related risk factors.

In 2006, all children in grades 1 and 2 (median age 8 years) in three municipalities in Northern Sweden were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey. The children in two of the municipalities underwent a skin prick test (SPT) for airborne allergens. The protocol was repeated at age 19 years. In total, 2250 participants (91% participation rate) completed the questionnaire, and 1338 underwent SPTs at 8 and 19 years of age.

From age 8 to 19 years, the cumulative incidence of AR was 33.6%, significantly higher among girls than boys (37.4% vs. 29.8%, p < .001). Factors that independently increased the risk of developing AR were sensitisation by age 8 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.68-5.23), sensitisation between 8 and 19 years (aOR 2.57, 95% CI 1.82-3.63), and female sex (aOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.30-2.26). The remission rate was 40.0%, with boys experiencing significantly higher remission than girls (45.4% vs. 32.2%, p = .015). The probability of remission was decreased by sensitisation before (aOR 0.26, 95% CI 0.13-0.53) and after age 8 years (aOR 0.20, 95% CI 0.05-0.77).

This study found a high incidence of AR between age 8 and 19 years, especially among girls, while boys had a higher remission rate. Sensitisation increased the risk of developing AR and decreased the remission rate.