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Prediction and prevention of allergic rhinitis: A birth cohort study of 20 years

Authors

  • L.B. Grabenhenrich
  • T. Keil
  • A. Reich
  • H. Gough
  • J. Beschorner
  • U. Hoffmann
  • C.P. Bauer
  • J. Forster
  • A. Schuster
  • D. Schramm
  • O. Nitsche
  • F. Zepp
  • Y.A. Lee
  • R. Bergmann
  • K. Bergmann
  • U. Wahn
  • S. Lau

Journal

  • Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Citation

  • J Allergy Clin Immunol 136 (4): 932-940

Abstract

  • BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common chronic diseases, usually starting in the first 2 decades of life. Information on predictors, risk, and protective factors is missing because of a lack of long-term prospective studies. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine early-life environmental and lifestyle determinants for AR up to age 20 years. METHODS: In 1990, the Multicenter Allergy Study included 1314 newborns in 5 German cities. Children were evaluated at 19 time points. A Cox regression model examined the associations between 41 independent early-life factors and onset of AR (as the primary outcome), including sensitization against aeroallergens and the secondary outcomes of nonallergic rhinitis and AR plus asthma. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety subjects had AR within 13,179 person years observed. The risk of AR was higher with a parental history of AR (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.49; 95% CI, 1.93-3.21), urticaria (aHR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.00-1.74), or asthma (aHR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.95-1.75). Early allergic sensitization (aHR, 4.53; 95% CI, 3.25-6.32), eczema within the first 3 years of life (aHR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.38-2.42), male sex (aHR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.02-1.61), and birthday in summer or autumn (aHR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.00-1.58) were independent predictors of AR up to age 20 years. None of the other socioeconomic, environmental, lifestyle, pregnancy, and birth-related factors were associated with AR. CONCLUSION: Only nonmodifiable factors, particularly early allergic sensitization or eczema and parental AR, predicted AR up to age 20 years. No modifiable aspects of early-life environment or lifestyle were identified as targets for primary prevention.


DOI

doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2015.03.040