Does new sensitization correlate with nasal symptoms in children with allergic rhinitis?

Objectives To evaluate the correlation between the increased number of sensitized allergens and nasal symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis who were sensitized to house dust mites (HDMs). Methods Among the patients who were enrolled in the Allergic Rhinitis Cohort Study for Kids, 174 children with rhinitis symptoms who were sensitized to HDMs were included in the analysis. Skin prick tests, serum total immunoglobulin E, eosinophil count, and bronchial provocation tests were carried out during the initial and 3-year follow-up visits. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the change in the number of sensitized allergens: increased number of sensitized allergens (group I) and maintained or reduced number of sensitized allergens (group II). Results In the analysis of allergen sensitization from baseline to the 3-year follow-up, no significant correlation was observed between the changes in the number of allergens and the total nasal visual analog scale score (R-2 < 0.001, P = .813). Furthermore, the comparison of demographic data and immunological factors between groups I and II did not show any significant differences. The changes in bronchial hyper-responsiveness were not significantly different between the two groups (P = 1.000). Conclusion New sensitization may not be correlated with nasal symptoms in patients in Asian countries where HDMs play a major role as a dominant allergen. Although further investigation must be conducted, the importance of new sensitization as an indicator of treatment outcome should be reconsidered in individuals in Asia. Level of Evidence 2b Laryngoscope, 2019