Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis and Types of Sensitized Allergen in Adult at Wat Intaram Community, Hua Raeu, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand
Karun Bunjean MD*, Kamonchanok Sukkasem**, Natchaporn Noppacroh**, Nattapol Yamkaew**, Dusit Janthayanont MD ***, Werapol Theerapancharern MD****, Surachai Chokkanchitchai MD****, Greetha Moungthong MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Otolaryngology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand ** Medical cadet, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand *** Department of Family Medicine, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand **** Department of Medicine, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand
Allergic rhinitis is a common problem in many countries. The incidence of Allergic rhinitis is about 10-25% of the
population and increasing worldwide especially in large cities where air pollution is the main problem causing respiratory
illness. In Thailand, the surveys of allergic rhinitis on children were found about 13-44% while the prevalence of allergic
rhinitis in Thai adults was as high as 20%. The information of the prevalence of Allergic rhinitis in the suburban area has not
been continuously done especially in the adult population.
Objective : To present study the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and other atopic diseases and to determine the aeroallergen
sensitivity of allergic patients in suburban area.
Material and Method: Observational descriptive cross-sectional Study as one-stage cluster sampling, Using ISAAC
questionnaires interviewed adults at Wat Intaram community, Hua Raeu, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon
Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand during September-October 2008. Participants who had allergic rhinitis symptoms described
in the questionnaires were enrolled to perform the skin prick test voluntary to determine the aeroallergen sensitivity.
Results : There were 324 subjects, female 64.8% and male 35.2%. Age ranges between 20-66 years old (mean 42.2). The
prevalence of allergic rhinitis, asthma and chronic pruritic rash were 37.7%, 16%, 21.3% and history of allergic rhinitis,
asthma and chronic pruritic rash within 12 months were 32.1%, 10.5%, 17.3%. The sensitized allergen was Mixed mite
(62.2%), Mixed cockroach (61.1%), House dust (48.9%), Cat (37.8%), Johnson glass (30.0%), Dog (20.0%), Careless
weed (20.0%), Mixed mold (12.2%), Cotton (7.8%) and Feather (6.7%).
Conclusion : The present study revealed that the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and atopic diseases has been increasing in
number when compared with previous reports. The most common sensitized allergen was Mite mix, similar to other studies,
but Mixed cockroach was found significantly higher.
Keywords : Allergic rhinitis, Prevalence, Skin prick test, Allergen
