[Cockroach hypersensitivity in children suffering from perennial allergic rhinitis].

UNLABELLED: The role of cockroach allergens in the etiology of allergic disorders is still not clear. Published studies show a high variability in frequency of hypersensitivity to cockroaches. The aim of our work was to study the possible role of cockroach allergy in children suffering from perennial allergic rhinitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 97 children with symptoms of perennial rhinitis admitted to our Outpatient Clinic. The data about medical history, symptoms, incomes and accomodation were gathered using a questionnaire. Skin prick tests (SPT) with a set of allergens including cockroaches were performed.

RESULTS: Sixty boys and 37 girls with mean age 9.15 +/- 3.48 years, with mean duration of symptoms of perennial rhinitis 2.92 +/- 1.86 years were included it the study. In 28 children (28.9% of the study group) had all SPT negative. At least one positive SPT was found in 69% of patients. The most frequent allergens were house dust mites (Der f--65.2%, Der p--60.9%), followed by grasses (58%) and moulds (46.%). Positive SPT with cockroaches was found in 16 children (23.2%). The most frequent symptom in our study group was nasal congestion (68.4%). 46.4% of children complained about deterioration of nasal symptoms during a day. Perennial rhinitis coexisted with diagnosed bronchial asthma in 28 patients (28.9%) and with atopic dermatitis in 14 patients (14.4%). Presence of cockroaches at home was noticed in 3 cases and at school in 1 case. We did not find correlation between type of housing, living in a big city, small city or countryside and allergy to cockroaches (chi2 test p = 0.75). Hypersensitivity to cockroaches did not correlate with severity of rhinitis (U-Mann-Whitney test p = 1.0). There was no correlation between low incomes and allergy to cockroaches (chi2 test p = 0.294).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that in our region hypersensitivity to cockroaches is one of possible, but not leading factor responsible for the development of perennial rhinitis.