Author:
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Frohlich, M.; Pinart Gilberga, Mariona; Keller, Theresa; Reich, A.; Cabieses, B.; Hohmann, C.; Postma, Dirkje S.; Bousquet, Jean; Antó i Boqué, Josep Maria; Keil, Thomas; Roll, S.
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Abstract:
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Background: Allergic rhinitis and asthma as single entities
affect more boys than girls in childhood but more females in
adulthood. However, it is unclear if this prevalence sex-shift
also occurs in allergic rhinitis and concurrent asthma. Thus,
our aim was to compare sex-specific differences in the
prevalence of coexisting allergic rhinitis and asthma in
childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Methods: Post-hoc analysis
of systematic review with meta-analysis concerning sex-specific
prevalence of allergic rhinitis. Using random-effects
meta-analysis, we assessed male-female ratios for coexisting
allergic rhinitis and asthma in children (0-10 years),
adolescents (11-17) and adults (> 17). Electronic searches
were performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE for the time period
2000-2014. We included population-based observational studies,
reporting coexisting allergic rhinitis and asthma as outcome
stratified by sex. We excluded non-original or
non-population-based studies, studies with only male or female
participants or selective patient collectives. Results: From a
total of 6539 citations, 10 studies with a total of 93,483
participants met the inclusion criteria. The male-female ratios
(95% CI) for coexisting allergic rhinitis and asthma were 1.65
(1.52; 1.78) in children (N = 6 studies), 0.61 (0.51; 0.72) in
adolescents (N = 2) and 1.03 (0.79; 1.35) in adults (N = 2).
Male-female ratios for allergic rhinitis only were 1.25 (1.19;
1.32, N = 5) in children, 0.80 (0.71; 0.89, N = 2) in
adolescents and 0.98 (0.74; 1.30, N = 2) in adults,
respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of coexisting allergic
rhinitis and asthma shows a clear male predominance in childhood
and seems to switch to a female predominance in adolescents.
This switch was less pronounced for allergic rhinitis only. |