Mp. Borres et al., HOW MANY TEENAGERS THINK THEY HAVE ALLERGIC RHINOCONJUNCTIVITIS AND WHAT THEY DO ABOUT IT, Annals of allergy, asthma, & immunology, 78(1), 1997, pp. 29-34
Objective: A study was made to assess the proportion of 17-year-old st
udents who consider themselves to have allergic rhinoconjunctivitis an
d to find out how they treat themselves. Method: The study was perform
ed outside the pollen season in 1993 and 1994 and 5,938 first-year sec
ondary school students in eight different cities were asked to answer
a questionnaire during class. Results: A total of 1,458 students (24%)
claimed that they suffered from allergic rhinoconjunctivitis after be
ing given a description of the disease. Sixty-five percent had had sym
ptoms for 3 or more years and most of the sufferers, 71%, had had symp
toms during the spring and/or summer. In 32% of the sufferers the caus
ative agent was unknown. Seventy-six percent (n = 1,103) of the suffer
ers treated themselves with drugs. The most commonly used drugs for a
systemic effect were nonsedating antihistamines and for a local effect
, sodium cromoglycate. Of those who used nasal drugs (sodium cromoglyc
ate and/or steroids, n = 545), only 14% used them daily, 51% always wh
en having symptoms, and 35% occasionally when having symptoms. The rea
sons for not using nasal sprays daily were inconvenience and embarrass
ment. Twenty-five percent had bought the drug over the counter in 1992
, the first year when allergy drugs could be purchased without a presc
ription. The use of over-the-counter treatment increased in the follow
ing year to 33% (P < .05). Conclusion: We conclude that many young peo
ple perceive themselves as having allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and tha
t the treatment can be much improved for the group as a whole.