Parental History of Atopic Diseases and Presence of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma in Children with Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

Objective − To assess the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma in children with and without parental history of atopic dermatitis (AD) as well as to explore the association between parental history of atopic diseases and presence of allergic rhinitis or asthma in children diagnosed with AD.

Methods − From January to June 2014, we recruited a total of 98 children with AD and their parents who presented at the Clinic of Dermatovenereology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia. The parents filled in a questionnaire. The severity of AD was assessed using the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) Index.

Results − Of 98 parents, 33 (33.7%) reported having history of AD. In children with parental history of AD, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma was 18.2% and 24.2%, respectively. In children without parental history of AD, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma was 12.3% and 23.1%, respectively. Adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that: neither mothers’ nor fathers’ history AD were associated with presence of allergic rhinitis or asthma; fathers’ history of asthma was associated with presence of asthma and mothers’ history of asthma was associated with presence of allergic rhinitis. Fathers’ history of allergic rhinitis was associated with presence of allergic rhinitis and mothers’ history of allergic rhinitis was associated with presence of asthma.

Conclusion − Our findings suggest that, compared to parental history of AD, parental history of asthma and allergic rhinitis were stronger contributors to the presence of atopic comorbid disorders in children with AD.