PREVALÊNCIA DOS PRINCIPAIS ALÉRGENOS INALATÓRIOS DESENCADEADORES DA RINITE ALÉRGICA NA COMUNIDADE E SUA DISTRIBUIÇÃO POR GÊNERO E IDADE

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.60023171019

• Palavras-chave: Rinite Alérgica, Alérgenos, Estudo coorte retrospectivo

• Keywords: Allergic Rhinitis, Allergens, retrospective cohort study

• Abstract: Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa in response to exposure to inhaled allergens. An individual who is susceptible and sensitized to these allergens can experience an inflammatory response when exposed to such agents, which can trigger a range of symptoms such as nasal itching, sneezing, watery rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and even ocular symptoms like itching and conjunctival redness. Considered a disease of modern civilization, allergic rhinitis has both social and economic impacts, and there is currently no definitive cure for the condition, only clinical management. Allergic rhinitis can be treated, and identifying the causative allergens is crucial for individualized and effective desensitization therapy. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of the main allergens in the studied community, classify the patients by gender, age, and identified allergen types, and correlate the main allergen types by gender and age. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 635 medical records from May/2016 to November/2021 were analyzed. The patients were classified into four age groups (3-12 years, 13-18 years, 19-30 years, and over 30 years), by gender (female and male), and by the type of allergen to which the patient showed sensitivity, determined through the Prick test, a skin prick test using standardized extracts containing household allergens, mites, a mix of fungi, animal hair (dog, cat, cattle, horse), grass pollen, and feathers (birds). Results: The study found a prevalence of 74.8% for household aeroallergens (HAA), 75.3% for mites, 33.5% for animal hair, 15.1% for grass pollen, 10.2% for fungi, 1.6% for feathers, and 24.1% tested negative for all inhaled allergens but positive for histamine, which serves as the positive control for the tests. Regarding gender, there were no statistically significant differences among the positive allergens. In terms of age groups, the following results were obtained: HAA (3-12 years = 78.6%); (13-18 years = 95.6%); (19-30 years = 89.3%); (>30 years = 60.6%). Feathers (3-12 years = 0.0%); (13-18 years = 0.0%); (19-30 years = 4%); (>30 years = 1.3%). Fungi (3-12 years = 4.8%); (13-18 years = 13.2%); (19-30 years = 16%); (>30 years = 8.1%). Mites (3-12 years = 79.8%); (13-18 years = 95.6%); (19-30 years = 90%); (>30 years = 61%). Animal hair (3-12 years = 23.8%); (13-18 years = 53.8%); (19-30 years = 46%); (>30 years = 24.2%). Grass pollen (3-12 years = 14.3%); (13-18 years = 24.2%); (19-30 years = 20.7%); (>30 years = 10%). Conclusion: This study investigated the prevalence of sensitivity to allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis using skin prick tests. A high prevalence of sensitivity to allergens such as mites and HAA was observed, followed by animal dander, grass pollen, fungi, and feathers, without gender predominance. In terms of age groups, the most sensitized groups were 13-18 years and 19-30 years, with the same specific sensitivity prevalence as the general population.