Symptomatic differences between allergic and nonallergic rhinitis in children

Purpose: Children and adolescent have high prevalences of allergic rhinitis (AR) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) as well as adult. The purpose of this study was to assess the symptomatic differences between AR and NAR in children. Methods: This study included 138 patients with 2 or more of rhinitis symptoms, including rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, nasal itching, and sneezing for over 1 hour on most days who visited Kyungpook National University Children's Hospital between March 2013 and June 2014. The levels of total IgE, specific IgE, eosinophil cationic protein, peripheral blood eosinophil count, and the skin prick test were carried out. All the patients or parents were asked to fill out a rhinitis symptom questionnaire and contents were rechecked by physician during the consultation. The symptoms of rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal itching, nasal obstruction and eye itching were checked. Family history and comorbidity were also evaluated. Results: Ninety-one patients were diagnosed with AR, 47 patients with NAR. Their age ranged from 1 to 16 years. AR patients had more sneezing, nasal pruritus and eye symptoms than NAR patients (P=0.003, P=0.036, and P=0.003, respectively). Conclusion: This study shows that the several symptomatic differences may help to diagnose the AR. It will be helpful in establishing diagnostic and treatment plans for rhinitis patients before allergic tests.