Recent prevalence of allergic rhinitis caused by house dust mites among the pediatric population in Fukui, Japan

Yoshimasa Imoto, MD, PhD; Masafumi Sakashita, MD, PhD; Takahiro Tokunaga, MD, PhD; Masafumi Kanno, MD, PhD; Kyoko Saito, MD; Anna Shimizu, MD; Ayako Maegawa, MD; Shigeharu Fujieda, MD, PhD

World Allergy Organization Journal (Jul 2024)

Recent prevalence of allergic rhinitis caused by house dust mites among the pediatric population in Fukui, Japan

Yoshimasa Imoto, MD, PhD,
Masafumi Sakashita, MD, PhD,
Takahiro Tokunaga, MD, PhD,
Masafumi Kanno, MD, PhD,
Kyoko Saito, MD,
Anna Shimizu, MD,
Ayako Maegawa, MD,
Shigeharu Fujieda, MD, PhD

Affiliations

Yoshimasa Imoto, MD, PhD: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan; Corresponding author. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, 23-3 Shimoaizuki, Matsuoka, Eiheiji, Yoshida, Fukui, 910-1193, Japan.
Masafumi Sakashita, MD, PhD: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
Takahiro Tokunaga, MD, PhD: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shinseikai Toyama Hospital, Japan
Masafumi Kanno, MD, PhD: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
Kyoko Saito, MD: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
Anna Shimizu, MD: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
Ayako Maegawa, MD: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
Shigeharu Fujieda, MD, PhD: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 17, no. 7
p. 100932

Abstract

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Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an IgE-mediated type I allergic chronic nasal disease common among all age groups, including the pediatric population. House dust mites (HDMs) are globally ubiquitous and the most important indoor aeroallergen. However, the recent prevalence of HDM-caused AR (AR-HDM) in Japan remains unknown, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the current prevalence of AR-HDM, its clinical features, and the current status of medical examinations in elementary school students. Methods: A survey of 41,000 elementary school students was conducted during July 2021 in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. Parents were asked to complete a questionnaire that examined allergic disease history and clinical background. Results: A total of 17,974 subjects were analyzed in the study. The results showed that the current prevalence of AR-HDM in elementary school children is 18.8%. We found that AR-HDM had already developed before entrance into elementary school in 68.3% of affected subjects. Among these subjects, 82.3% had received some form of treatment, such as prescription medications, whereas 4.2% were treated by allergen immunotherapy. Multiple logistic regression analysis of the onset of AR-HDM revealed that male sex, being the first-born child, comorbidity of bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and allergic conjunctivitis are associated with development of AR-HDM. Conclusions: The present study revealed the prevalence of AR-HDM in elementary school children. The results emphasize the importance of appropriate diagnosis and treatment from infancy through early childhood.

Published in World Allergy Organization Journal

ISSN: 1939-4551 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Immunologic diseases. Allergy
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/world-allergy-organization-journal

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