Risk factors analysis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and allergic rhinitis in children: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: To investigate relationship between symptom of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and allergic rhinitis (AR) in AR children of different genders and ages. Methods: Four hundred and sixty-five allergic rhinitis children aged 6-12 years old were recruited in this study. Skin-prick test, Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ), Total Nasal Symptoms Score (TNSS) and Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham version IV scale (SNAP-IV) were recorded. Patients were divided into AR with ADHD and AR without ADHD, according to SNAP-IV scale results. Results: Children with inattention/hyperactivity scale (IHS) > 1.25 accounted for 26.4% of all children with AR. TNSS with IHS > 1.25 group were significantly higher than IHS ≤ 1.25 group. Univariate analysis showed that age, gender, duration of AR symptoms, skin index, and PRQLQ subscales were associated with symptoms of hyperactivity and attention deficit (IHS > 1.25). After normalizing age and gender factors, duration of AR symptoms and skin index correlated with IHS > 1.25. After stratifying age and gender, correlation between IHS > 1.25 and skin index and PRQLQ subscales was mainly found in male children, and association between duration of AR symptoms and IHS > 1.25 was reflected in each group. Conclusions: ADHD in children with AR is associated with severity, duration, and skin index of AR, and this association is more pronounced in male children.