Abstract:

Objective   To investigate the morbidity of allergic rhinitis(AR) in the Qingdao area and its correlative factors. Methods   A questionnaire survey on AR was performed in the Qingdao area. We applied over two-stage sampling and cluster sampling methods to the mental health of permanent residents, excluding hypertension, diabetes mellitus and rheumatic disease, aged from 5-70 years in the Qingdao area including seven district and five cities. Our investigation had three stages： questionnaire survey, screening of suspected AR patients according to the results of the questionnaire, and suspects of AR．Diagnosis criteria of AR were the guide of AR in diagnosis and treatment in 2009. Results   2052 questionnaires were available. The effective rate was 85.5%.The prevalence rate of AR in residents aged from 5-70 was 12.08% in Qingdao City. The difference of prevalence between females 11.3% and males 12.7% was statistically insignificant(χ2=0.918, P>0.05). The difference of prevalence between city 15% and village 8% was statistically significant(χ2=23.86, P<0.05). According to the classification criteria of ARIA in 2001, 95 residents suffered from intermittent AR, while 153 suffered from persistent AR. The most common allergens of AR were dermatophagoides farinae, house dust mite and shrimp. Conclusion   The prevalence rate of AR in residents is 12.08%. The most common allergens of AR are dermatophagoides farinae, house dust mite and shrimp. The prevalence rate of seasonal allergic rhinitis is less than sustainable, in the village less than in the city.

Key words: Rhinitis, allergy; Prevalence; Epidemiological studies