Disease burden in children with moderate to severe perennial allergic rhinitis and concomitant asthma in Canada, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects up to 40% of children in the United States and Europe. AR is often associated with asthma and has a negative impact on quality of life for the children and their families.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the AR burden in children with moderate to severe perennial AR in Canada, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, focusing on the role of concomitant asthma. We assessed the health impact on the children, their receipt of allergy medication and health care services, and the impact on their families.

METHODS

An online survey was distributed to caregivers of children aged 5 to 17 with moderate to severe perennial AR (both with and without asthma) and to a control group of caregivers of children without allergies.

RESULTS

In total, 877 and 855 caregivers of children with perennial AR and without allergies, respectively, completed the survey. Children with AR and asthma, compared with those without asthma, experienced more sleep disturbances (69% vs 58%), schoolwork limitations (33% vs 22%), daily activities restrictions (55% vs 41%), and missed school hours (7.2 vs 4.6 hours per month). Children with AR and asthma had a higher receipt of allergy medication compared with those without asthma, and they also visited their general practitioner more often (4.6 vs 3.5 times a year). Overall, 32% of all caregivers of children with AR expressed dissatisfaction with allergy medication.

CONCLUSION

Perennial AR, especially with concomitant asthma, imposes a substantial disease burden in children and their families, highlighting the need for long-term disease control.