[An epidemiological study of allergic conjunctivitis]

An epidemiological study focusing on the home environment and lifestyle was conducted in order to analyze the differences between a group of patients with allergic conjunctivitis only and a group with other allergic diseases associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Subjects were five hundred and sixty-four patients who visited the Ophthalmologic Clinic of Tokai University Hospital during 1990, and for controls 200 households were randomly selected from an elementary school list in Yokohama city. RAST score was measured in 102 patients. A mailed questionnaire was sent to 240 patients chosen at random and to 200 controls. Sixty patients and 139 controls responded to the questionnaire. RAST score showed no statistical difference between patients with allergic conjunctivitis only and patients with other allergic diseases associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Analysis of associations between RAST score and seasonal symptoms, showed very strong positive reactions to pollens in patients with seasonal symptoms. On the other hand, in patients with constant symptoms during the year, reaction was very strong to house dust and mite. Epidemiological factors causally associated with allergic conjunctivitis were compared among the controls, patients with allergic conjunctivitis only (Group I), patients with other allergic diseases (Group II) and all patients (Group III). Compared to controls, Groups II and III had significantly higher prevalence of past history of skin itching and inflammatory symptoms (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Group II subjects showed more frequent use of carpets, when compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The use of Japanese mattress (futon) was more frequent in Group II and III than controls (p < 0.05 for both comparisons).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)