The study of co-morbid conditions in children with allergic rhinitis, from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Allergic rhinitis (AR), an allergen-induced inflammation of the nasal mucosa, is frequently associated with co-morbid conditions. It is important to recognize the onset and existence of these co-morbid conditions, for adequate treatment and prevention of the development of new allergen sensitizations and air-way hypersensitivities. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of co-morbid conditions associated with AR, in Indian children. We selected 65 consecutive children below the age of 18 years, who attended the Allergy and Asthma Clinic of our hospital, between March 1, 2005 to November 30, 2006 and compared them with the available literature. The most common co-morbid condition with AR was asthma (75.4%), followed by urticaria (33.9%), conjunctivitis (29.2%) and sinusitis (23.1%) in that order. Two patients (3.1%) each, had adenoid hypertrophy and nasal polyps. Psoriasis was seen in 4/65 (6.2%). Four patients (6.2%) were free from any co-morbid conditions as opposed to 61/65 (93.8%), who suffered from one to three co-morbid conditions each. Co-morbid conditions are a rule rather than an exception, the most common association being asthma. Asthma often is asymptomatic and routine PFT testing is valuable. The association of psoriasis is interesting. © 2007 Association of Otolaryngologists of India.