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Clinical and Translational Allergy
Published in: Clinical and Translational Allergy 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Review

Is there a sex-shift in prevalence of allergic rhinitis and comorbid asthma from childhood to adulthood? A meta-analysis

Authors: M. Fröhlich, M. Pinart, T. Keller, A. Reich, B. Cabieses, C. Hohmann, D. S. Postma, J. Bousquet, J. M. Antó, T. Keil, S. Roll

Published in: Clinical and Translational Allergy | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

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.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Is there a sex-shift in prevalence of allergic rhinitis and comorbid asthma from childhood to adulthood? A meta-analysis
Authors
M. Fröhlich
M. Pinart
T. Keller
A. Reich
B. Cabieses
C. Hohmann
D. S. Postma
J. Bousquet
J. M. Antó
T. Keil
S. Roll
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Clinical and Translational Allergy / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 2045-7022
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13601-017-0176-5

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