Analysis Of Quality Of Life In Children With Allergic Rhinitis

ObjectivesTo evaluate the quality of life in children with allergic rhinitis (AR)and to evaluate the correlations between the different items in Pediatric Rhino-conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire(PRQLQ)MethodsFifty-one children with AR and fifty-two normal children were randomly selected by Beijing Children's Hospital ENT department from AR epidemiological survey of Beijing preschool children aged 3-5 years from July 2006 to September 2007. There were no significant difference between their age (9.85±0.85;9.94±0.71),(t=0.54,P>0.05). All of them were followed up by Telephone questionnaires and AR children were also followed up by skin prick test(SPT). Their PRQLQ was used to be compared in five aspects and 23 items. SPSS 13.0 was used to analysis statistics.Results1. The PRQLQ scale with AR in five aspects were significantly higher than those of control subjects(P<0.01).2. Five aspects of PRQLQ scale with AR were statistically significant (F = 36.56, P <0.01). There are also significant differences among the 23 items of PRQLQ in children with AR (F=14.71, P<0.01). Nasal symptoms were the most serious factors which affect the quality of life in children (2.52±1.27). Nasal congestion, nasal itching, watery nasal discharge and sneezing with higher score than other symptoms (2.47±1.47;2.55±1.45;2.53±1.42;2.55±1.47). There were no significant differences among them(P >0.05).3. Correlation analysis shows that:3.1 Nasal symptoms was significantly correlated with behavior problems(r=0.82,P<0.01).3.2 Nasal symptoms was significantly correlated with non-Nasal-conjunctivitis symptoms(r=0.74,P<0.01). Nasal symptoms was significantly correlated with inattention symptom(r=0.59,P<0.01). Inattention was significantly correlated with nasal itching, watery nasal discharge(r=0.58,P<0.01;r=0.59,P<0.01). Hard to fall asleep was significantly correlated with nasal symptoms(r=0.57,P<0.01).3.3 Nasal symptoms was significantly correlated with emotion symptoms (r=0.68, P<0.01). Nasal symptoms was significantly correlated with embarrassing symptom(r=0.66, P<0.01). Embarrassing was significantly correlated with nasal itching, watery nasal discharge(r=0.58, P<0.01; r=0.66, P<0.01).3.4 Nasal symptoms was significantly correlated with eye symptoms (r=0.56, P<0.01).3.5 Behavior problems was significantly correlated with emotion symptoms(r=0.74,P<0.01). Embarrassing was significantly correlated with bringing tissues, rubbing the nose or eyes(r=0.65,P<0.01;r=0.58, P<0.01).Conclusions1. Compared with control subjects, quality of life in children with AR was significantly affected.2. Nasal symptoms were the most serious factors in affecting the quality of life in children with AR. Nasal congestion, nasal itching, watery nasal discharge, sneezing were the most common symptoms in children with AR.3. Correlation analysis shows that: Nasal symptoms were the main causes of behavior problems, non-nasal-conjunctivitis symptoms and emotional reaction. Behavior problems may affect emotional reaction.