Dataset Information

Prevalence and triggers of allergic rhinitis in the United Arab Emirates.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Allergic rhinitis is a morbid condition that is frequently overlooked by patients and physicians. This type of atopy has not been adequately investigated in the United Arab Emirates.

Methods

This cross-sectional, population-based observational study was conducted in the seven Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Fujairah). It used the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS II) to screen for allergic rhinitis in people living in this region.

Results

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis were present in 85 (7%) of the 1,229 study population. Only 33 (39%) patients received treatment. Seventy-six (89%) patients had asthma. Thirty-seven (44%) patients were poly-sensitized. Symptoms were aggravated by dust (59%), grass/pollens (44%) and proximity to animals (21%). Winter was the peak season (37%), followed by spring (30%), autumn (18%) and summer (15%). Grass/pollen allergies were clustered in the winter, spring and summer (p???0.001). Dust was non-seasonal (p???0.121) and animal allergy was worse in the winter (p?=?0.024) and spring (p?=?0.044). Spring symptoms were less common in people living in the inner city (p?=?0.003).

Conclusions

At least 7% of the studied population had allergic rhinitis. Most (71%) of these patients had environmental triggers and remained untreated. Allergic rhinitis awareness and measures to control allergens and dust are needed. The impact of preventing allergic rhinitis on other common atopies in the region deserves future studies.

SUBMITTER: Mahboub B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4118622 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Prevalence and triggers of allergic rhinitis in the United Arab Emirates.

Mahboub Bassam B Al-Hammadi Suleiman S Prakash Vijayshree P VP Sulaiman Nabil N Blaiss Michael S MS Redha Abdulla Al AA Vats Deepa M DM

The World Allergy Organization journal 20140801 1

<h4>Background and objectives</h4>Allergic rhinitis is a morbid condition that is frequently overlooked by patients and physicians. This type of atopy has not been adequately investigated in the United Arab Emirates.<h4>Methods</h4>This cross-sectional, population-based observational study was conducted in the seven Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Fujairah). It used the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS II) to screen for allergic r ...[more]

PMID: 25097721

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Project description:BackgroundChronic diseases constitute a major public health problem in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Chronic diseases have been found to be associated with an increased prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms. Depression can have detrimental effect on the prognosis of the disease and quality of life in patients.Aims and objectivesThis study aimed to estimate the prevalence and correlates of depression in a sample of patients suffering from chronic disease in Al-Ain city, UAE.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional survey based study was conducted with 417 participants recruited from seven primary health care centers of Al-Ain city. Men and women aged 18 years and above suffering from chronic disease filled the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were performed on the collected data to investigate correlates of different factors with depression. Data was analyzed using SPSS (version 26). The study was approved by Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS) Human Ethics Research Committee.ResultsThe majority 62.41% (n = 254) of the sample were females, 57.97% (n = 240) aged above 55 years and with a median (Q25, Q75) duration of chronic disease of 8 (4, 15) years. The prevalence of depression was 21.1% (95% CI: 17.5%-25.3%). With severe depression was in 1.7% and mild-moderate in 34.7% of the participants. Depression severity was statistically significantly associated with increasing age (p = 0.006), low level of education (p<0.001), presence of asthma (p = 0.007) and heart disease (p = 0.013). Unadjusted logistic regression reported that presence of depression was significantly associated with female gender (cOR = 1.8, [95% CI; 1.1-3.1], p = 0.025), and presence of chronic kidney disease (cOR = 4.9, [95% CI; 1.3-20.2], p = 0.020) and heart disease (cOR = 2.9, [95% CI; 1.6-5.4], p = 0.001) longer duration of disease in years (cOR = 1.04, [95% CI; 1.01-1.07], p = 0.003). However, in the adjusted logistic regression analysis, participants with heart disease (aOR = 2.8, [95% CI; 1.4-5.5], p = 0.004), and with longer duration of disease (aOR = 1.04, [1.01-1.07], p = 0.014) remained significantly associated statistically with higher chance of having depression.ConclusionThe prevalence of depression was quite high and the study highlights for health care professionals and policy makers, the importance of mental health support as part of a comprehensive management plan for patients with chronic diseases. A multidisciplinary comprehensive program will improve the long-term outcomes of these patients. Patients with chronic diseases may need more support and counseling at primary health care levels.

Dataset Information

Prevalence and triggers of allergic rhinitis in the United Arab Emirates.

Background and objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Prevalence and triggers of allergic rhinitis in the United Arab Emirates.

Similar Datasets

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