Allergic rhinitis: Impact on quality of life of adolescents

Abstract

Adolescence is one of the most rapid phases of human development, in which biological maturity precedes psychosocial maturity. Rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) is present in around 15% of 13-14-year-old children, which indicates a higher prevalence when compared with 6-7-year-old children (8.5%). During childhood (0-10 years) prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) is higher among males compared to females. Quite the reverse, during adolescence (11-17 years) females display higher prevalence of AR compared to males. However, when they reach adulthood (18-79 years), there is no difference in prevalence between genders. AR and ARC have significant physical and mental impacts on the QoL of adolescents and their parents. Apart from the adverse effects of first generation antihistamines, which include se-dating effects, AR/ARC leads to school absences and poorer performance due to dis-traction, fatigue and irritability. The mobile technology facilitates an innovative investigatory approach to better and more precisely characterize allergy symptoms and their association with other allergic diseases. The success of treatment lies in the partnership between adolescents with AR and mobile technology, allowing them to have more information both on the disease and treatment. Adolescence is a special period in which AR is highly prevalent with some sex-dependent differences. There are also peculiarities on how AR affects QoL of adolescent patients.