ENT Department, University Hospital of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2012 Jul-Aug;2(4):285-93. doi: 10.1002/alr.21017. Epub 2012 Jan 31.
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is increasing worldwide, but little is known about AR in Africa. We aimed to establish the prevalence of AR and related allergic diseases, to classify AR according to the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines, and to determine factors associated with allergy in Congo.
We conducted a cross-sectional clustered survey of the population of 8 randomly chosen health zones of Kinshasa. Information was collected on demographics, home environment, participant characteristics, atopic history, and allergic symptoms. Skin-prick testing (SPT) was done.
Of 1508 screened individuals, 1412 (5-83 years of age) were interviewed and 1005 underwent SPT. Of the participants, 65.6% and 34.4% lived in urban and rural areas, respectively. Mean (± standard deviation [SD]) of age was 29 (±16) years and 52% were female. The 12-month prevalence of rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, wheeze, and skin itch-rash was 30.8%, 24.4%, 15.4%, and 6.2%, respectively. Rhinoconjunctivitis and wheeze were more prevalent in urban than rural individuals. Of skin-tested respondents, 23.2% showed positive results, with mainly Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and cockroach being involved. AR and non-AR prevalence was reported in 13.9% and 27.9%, respectively. Of AR individuals, 59.7% and 48.0% expressed moderate to severe and persistent symptoms, respectively. Independent determinants of having any allergic diseases in multivariate analysis were active smoking, presence of cockroach in home, history of atopy in siblings, personal history of atopy, using straw or herb mattress, and positive SPT responses.
This study revealed a high prevalence of allergic diseases in Congolese individuals. It is important to increase awareness toward allergic disorders and to ensure adequate management.
变应性鼻炎（AR）在全球范围内呈上升趋势，但有关非洲 AR 的信息知之甚少。我们旨在确定 AR 及相关过敏性疾病的流行率，根据《变应性鼻炎及其对哮喘的影响（ARIA）指南》对 AR 进行分类，并确定与刚果过敏相关的因素。
我们对金沙萨随机选择的 8 个卫生区的人群进行了横断面聚类调查。收集了人口统计学、家庭环境、参与者特征、特应性病史和过敏症状等信息。进行了皮肤点刺试验（SPT）。
在 1508 名筛查个体中，有 1412 名（5-83 岁）接受了访谈，1005 名接受了 SPT。参与者中，分别有 65.6%和 34.4%居住在城市和农村地区。平均（±标准差[SD]）年龄为 29（±16）岁，52%为女性。鼻炎、鼻结膜炎、喘息和皮肤瘙痒皮疹的 12 个月患病率分别为 30.8%、24.4%、15.4%和 6.2%。城市居民比农村居民更易患鼻结膜炎和喘息。在接受皮肤测试的受访者中，23.2%的人结果呈阳性，主要涉及粉尘螨和蟑螂。报告的 AR 和非 AR 患病率分别为 13.9%和 27.9%。在 AR 患者中，分别有 59.7%和 48.0%表示有中度至重度和持续性症状。多变量分析中发生任何过敏性疾病的独立决定因素为主动吸烟、家中有蟑螂、兄弟姐妹有特应性病史、自身有特应性病史、使用稻草或草药床垫和 SPT 阳性反应。
本研究显示刚果人过敏性疾病的患病率较高。提高对过敏障碍的认识并确保进行充分管理非常重要。
