The current prevalence of asthma,allergic rhinitis,and eczema related symptoms in school-aged children in Costa Rica

Objective: Asthma prevalence in Costa Rica is among the highest worldwide. We aimed to determine the prevalence of asthma among school-age children in the Central Highland Area of Costa Rica. Methods: Cross-sectional study using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was performed. Parents or guardians of children aged 6–13 years completed written questionnaires. Results: Total of 2817 school-aged children returned these questionnaires (74.1% return rate). The prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema was 21.9%, 42.6%, and 19.2%, respectively. The co-existence of the 3 diseases was seen in 22.6% of children with asthma. Boys had a slightly higher prevalence of these conditions, and younger children had higher prevalence of asthma and eczema, but lower prevalence of rhinitis than older children. The use of acetaminophen and antibiotics in the first 12 months of life showed a significant association with the prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. Wheezing with exercise, dry cough at night, and ever rhinitis was highly associated with asthma symptoms in the last 12 months. In contrast, no association was found between children exposed to smoking at home. Frequent traffic next to the house was reported more frequently by the parents of children with asthma, although no significant association was found. Conclusion: The prevalence of asthma showed a significant decrease compared to previous studies. However, there was an unexpected high prevalence of rhinitis. Exposure to acetaminophen and antibiotic during the first year of life was highly associated with asthma symptoms.     

Prevalence,severity and risk factors of asthma,rhinitis and eczema in a large group of Chinese schoolchildren

Background: There is a lack of information on the prevalence, severity and risk factors of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in Chinese children. Objective: To establish baseline data for a major longitudinal study of factors affecting asthma, rhinitis and eczema in a large group of children from the industrialized city of Shijiazhuang, China. Methods: We used the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and studied 10?338 children, ages 6–18, from Shijiazhuang. Results: The prevalence of childhood asthma, rhinitis and eczema is 1.2%, 13.5% and 11.8%, respectively. Boys had higher prevalence of these conditions than girls and younger children had higher prevalence of asthma and eczema but lower prevalence of rhinitis than older children. Breastfed children had lower prevalence of asthma and rhinitis, but not eczema, than non-breastfed children. Overweight children had higher prevalence of asthma and rhinitis than those who were not overweight. Children exposed to paternal smoking had higher prevalence of rhinitis and eczema than those not exposed; children exposed to pets had higher prevalence of asthma and rhinitis than those not exposed. Conclusions: The prevalence of asthma in this study group is low, but the prevalence of rhinitis is high, and could be considered a major public health problem. The prevalence of asthma, rhinitis and eczema is generally higher in boys and younger children generally have higher prevalence of asthma and eczema but lower prevalence of rhinitis. Exposure to pets is a risk factor for rhinitis, being overweight is a risk factor for asthma and rhinitis, and exposure to parental smoking is a risk factor for asthma, rhinitis and eczema in these children.     

An inverse correlation between estimated tuberculosis notification rates and asthma symptoms

BACKGROUND: A recent ecological analysis demonstrated a strong inverse relationship between tuberculosis notification rates and the prevalence of asthma symptoms in 13-14-year-old children as obtained from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). However, the analysis was confined to the 23 countries in which the tuberculosis notification rates were considered to be of sufficient validity. METHODS: A similar analysis was performed using estimated tuberculosis incidence rates obtained from the World Health Organization Global Tuberculosis Programme and asthma symptom prevalence data from ISAAC for both the 6-7 and 13-14 years age groups in 38 and 55 countries, respectively. RESULTS: For the 6-7-year-old children, there was a significant inverse relationship between estimated tuberculosis incidence and the prevalence of key asthma symptoms. However, in the 13-14 year age group, a significant inverse relationship was only demonstrated for 'asthma ever'. CONCLUSION: The present study extends the inverse relationship between tuberculosis rates and asthma prevalence to the 6-7-year-old age group and suggests that the association, if causal, may be stronger at this younger age.     

Prevalence of asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis: two surveys, 6 years apart, in Kota Bharu, Malaysia

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis in school children in Kota Bharu, Malaysia, and in so doing to determine the differences in symptom prevalence rates of asthma, and atopic diseases in Kota Bharu school children between 1995 and 2001. METHODOLOGY: In two studies (1995 and 2001), year one primary school (PS) pupils (6-7 years old) and secondary school (SS) year two pupils (13-14 years old) were randomly selected from the district of Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. In 1995, 3939 PS children and 3116 SS children participated, and in 2001 3157 PS children and 3004 SS children participated. The Phase I International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood prevalence written questionnaire and video questionnaire (only shown to SS children) were used in both studies. RESULTS: The written questionnaire showed no significant changes in the prevalence (1995, 2001) of ever wheeze (8.3%, 6.9%P = 0.06), current wheeze (5.4%, 4.3%P = 0.08), exercise-induced wheeze (EIW; 3.9%, 3.7%P = 0.63), and rhinoconjunctivitis (4.6%, 5%P = 0.42) among PS children. The prevalence of flexural itchy rash increased from 14% to 17.6% (P = 0.004) and night cough decreased from 20.4% to 17.5% (P = 0.005). There were also no significant changes in these symptoms among SS children (1995, 2001): ever wheeze (10.7%, 12%P = 0.37), current wheeze (6.8%, 5.7%P = 0.20), EIW (9.9%, 11.6%P = 0.28), night cough (21.6%, 24%P = 0.39), rhinoconjunctivitis (11%, 15%P = 0.11), and flexural itchy rash (12%, 13%P = 0.11). The video questionnaire showed no significant changes in the prevalence of symptoms in the previous 12 months (1995 vs 2001) for wheeze at rest (3.8%, 2.8%P = 0.12), EIW (6.9%, 8.8%P = 0.32), waking with wheeze (1.7%, 1.7%P = 1.0), and severe wheeze (2.1%, 3%P = 0.12). Night cough in the previous 12 months increased significantly from 5.1% to 8.3% (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Although asthma and atopic disorders are common in this country, the results revealed no major changes in the prevalence rates of these diseases over a period of 6 years.     

Trends in the Prevalence of Asthma Symptoms and Allergic Diseases in Israeli Adolescents: Results from a National Survey 2003 and Comparison with 1997

Purpose. To investigate the temporal trends in the prevalence of asthma symptoms and allergies in Israli adolescents. Methods. A modified version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was administered to a national sample of Jewish and Arab schoolchildren in Israel. The results were compared to a similar survey conducted in 1997. Results. Asthma prevalence was 7.0% in 1997 and 6.4% 2003 respectively (p = 0.1). Wheezing in the past 12 months decreased significantly from 17.9% in 1997 to 13.8% in 2003 (p < 0.001). Allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis increased from 9.4% to 10.5%, and from 5.9% to 8.7% respectively. The prevalence of allergic disease remained higher in Jewish compared with Arabs. Conclusions. The prevalence of asthma symptoms decreased in Israel from 1997 to 2003 while there was an increase in allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.     

Validation of the Finnish ISAAC questionnaire on asthma against anti-asthmatic medication reimbursement database in 5-year-old children

Background: Valid identification of childhood asthma at the population level for epidemiological purposes remains a challenge. We aimed at validating the Finnish version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire based on parental‐reported childhood asthma. Materials and Methods: The ISAAC questionnaire has been validated against anti‐asthmatic medication reimbursement data of the Finnish Social Insurance Institution, being the gold standard, among 2236 5‐year‐old consecutively born children (1996–2004) carrying human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐conferred susceptibility to type 1 diabetes. Two combined questionnaire questions (any wheezing symptom or use of asthma medication during the preceding 12 months plus ever asthma; any wheezing symptom or use of asthma medication during the preceding 12 months plus ever doctor‐diagnosed asthma) were validated against valid reimbursement with purchase of at least one anti‐asthmatic medication during a 12‐month period. The validity of the questionnaire was estimated as the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and Youden's index. Results: The sensitivity 0.98 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.92–0.99]; specificity 0.98 (95% CI = 0.97–0.98); negative predictive value 1.00 (95% CI = 1.00–1.00); and Youden's index 0.96 (95% CI = 0.96–0.96) were the same for each of the two sets of combined questions. The positive predictive value for the first combined question was 0.63 (95% CI = 0.55–0.71), while it was 0.64 (95% CI = 0.57–0.72) for the second combined question. Conclusion: The Finnish ISAAC questionnaire was highly valid and is an acceptable instrument for the survey of the prevalence of parental‐reported childhood asthma for epidemiological purposes. Please cite this paper as: Nwaru BI, Lumia M, Kaila M, Luukkainen P, Tapanainen H, Erkkola M, Ahonen S, Pekkanen J, Klaukka T, Veijola R, Simell O, Knip M and Virtanen SM. Validation of the Finnish ISAAC questionnaire on asthma against anti‐asthmatic medication reimbursement database in 5‐year‐old children. Clin Respir J 2011; 5: 211–218.     

Burden of asthma among children in a developing megacity: childhood asthma study,Pakistan

Objectives: Global burden of childhood asthma has increased in the past few decades, particularly in low-income countries. In Pakistan, there is a lack of community-based epidemiological studies estimating the burden of asthma among children. This study determined the prevalence and predictors of asthma among children 3–17 years of age in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: A two-stage community-based representative cross-sectional survey was conducted in Karachi from March 2012 to April 2013 comprising 1046 children aged 3–17 years. Of 7500 clusters, 80 were randomly selected, and of these, 15 children per cluster were enrolled randomly. A translated and pre-tested version of International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children questionnaire was administered. Results: The overall prevalence of asthma among study participants was 10.2% (95% CI: 8.4–12.0). Asthma was more likely to occur among boys (adj. OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.6–4.0), children in the younger age group (3–7 years) (adj. OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.7–4.8), those living in households with ill-ventilated kitchens (adj. OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.1), having family history of asthma (adj. OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3–3.9) and those of the Sindhi ethnicity (adj. OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1–4.4). Conclusion: This study is the first robust evidence regarding asthma among children in Pakistan, reporting a high burden in this group. Family history, male gender, Sindhi ethnicity and ill-ventilated kitchen were identified as important predictors of asthma. Targeted preventive measures and intervention studies are required to better understand and reduce the burden of asthma among children in Pakistan.     

Simultaneous treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis

Asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) form a well-recognized comorbidity. This study aims at assessing the efficacy of nasally inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) in their simultaneous treatment. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 78 allergic rhinitis and asthma patients aged 5-17 years. Seventy-five individuals completed the study. During 8 weeks, 38 subjects received BDP-CFC aerosol (>or= 500 mcg/day) exclusively via nasal inhalation through a facemask attached to a plastic valved spacer. The control group (37 patients) received 200 mcg/day of aqueous intranasal beclomethasone plus oral inhalation of BDP-CFC (>or= 500 mcg/day) through a mouthpiece connected to the same spacer. Primary outcomes analyzed in order to assess the response to treatment were clinical scoring for allergic rhinitis and measurements of nasal inspiratory peak flow (NIPF). AR clinical scoring and NIPF did not differ in the two groups at admission or at nearly all follow-up visits. Nasal inhalation of beclomethasone dipropionate provides AR symptom relief while maintaining control of asthma by delivering it to the lungs. Therefore, this therapeutic strategy might be considered for patients suffering from this comorbidity, especially in low-resource countries, since it is less expensive than the conventional treatment.     

Epidemiology of Childhood Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus in the Sultanate of Oman

This study assessed the updated incidence of IDDM in 0 to 14-year-old children in the Sultanate of Oman, which is located in the souther-eastern part of the Arabian peninsula. Incident cases were recorded prospectively from January 1993 to the end of December 1994. Incidence rates were standardized on the basis of the National Population Census. The degree of ascertainment was above 96 % from the primary source. During two full calendar years, 31 new cases of IDDM in children were diagnosed in Oman (10 health regions). The standardized incidence rates were 2.45 and 2.62/100 000 per year during 1993 and 1994, respectively. The sex-specific rates among males and females were 3.23 and 1.99/100000, respectively, in 1993 and 2.91 and 1.95/100 000, respectively in 1994. The age-specific incidence rates during the 2 years were higher in the 10–14 age group (3.69 and 4.22/100 000, respectively) vs those in the 5–9 age group (2.32 and 2.79/100000, respectively) and 0.4 age group (1.54 and 0.97/100 000 respectively). The number of new cases/month was markedly higher in the relatively cooler months (September through March) of the year. The incidence rate of IDDM in children under the age of 15 years in Oman was lower than the reported incidence in Kuwait (another gulf country located north-west to Oman) which might reflect the north–south gradient reported in several previous studies. However this incidence rate was higher than those reported for many countries in Asia.     

经鼻吸入布地奈德治疗过敏性鼻炎-哮喘综合征

目的最近世界变态反应组织提出了过敏性鼻炎-哮喘综合征（combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome,CARAS）这一新的诊断术语。同时指出上、下呼吸道疾病需要进行联合诊断和联合治疗。采用了鼻-口两用雾化器（spacer）,分别经口或经鼻吸入糖皮质激素治疗CARAS患者,以评价经鼻吸入糖皮质激素在防治CARAS的价值。方法采用鼻-口两用雾化器（商品名：吸保）吸入布地奈德气雾剂治疗86例CARAS患者,随机将患者分为经口吸入组和经鼻吸入组,同时观察了两组治疗前后的鼻部症状记分、胸部症状记分、肺功能和气道反应性。结果鼻吸组与口吸组均可显著改善胸部症状、肺通气功能,降低气道高反应性。治疗前后差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）,两组间比较差异无统计学意义,但在改善鼻部症状记分方面鼻吸组明显优于口吸组（P〈0．01）。结论与口腔吸入比较,经鼻吸入给予布地奈德气雾剂是一种既可控制过敏性鼻炎,又可防治哮喘的治疗方法,应在伴有过敏性鼻炎的哮喘和CARAS患者的防治中推荐使用。     

Indoor environmental factors associated with wheezing illness and asthma in South Korean children: phase III of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood

Background: The relationship between exposure to indoor environmental pollutants and incidence of asthma and wheezing illness in children is unclear. This study aimed to clarify this relationship by identifying the risk factors associated with these conditions in South Korean children aged 6–7 years. Methods: The parents or guardians of 3810 children aged 6–7 years who had participated in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood and met the study criteria completed validated questionnaires regarding their children's asthma and wheezing illness, risk factors and exposure to indoor pollutants. The data were subjected to chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the factors significantly associated with asthma and wheezing illness. Results: Parental history of allergic disease (odds ratio [OR]: 1.729; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.447–2.066), living on the basement or semi-basement floor (OR: 1.891; 95% CI: 1.194–2.996) and living in housing that had been remodeled within the last 12 months (OR: 1.376; 95% CI: 1.101–1.720) were found to be significantly associated with wheezing illness. Parental history of allergic disease (OR: 2.189; 95% CI: 1.483–3.231), male sex (OR: 1.971; 95% CI: 1.369–2.838) and positive skin prick test (SPT) result (OR: 1.583; 95% CI: 1.804–3.698) were found to be significantly associated with current asthma. Conclusions: Although the risk factors for current asthma appear to be more related to the non-modifiable risk factors like sex, parental history of allergic diseases, SPT, the two groups are associated with exposure to modifiable indoor environmental factors.     

经鼻吸入布地奈德治疗过敏性鼻炎-哮喘综合征

目的 最近世界变态反应组织(WAO)提出了过敏性鼻炎-哮喘综合征(combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome,CARAS)这一新的诊断术语.同时指出上、下呼吸道疾病需要进行联合诊断和联合治疗.采用了鼻-口两用雾化器(spacer),分别经口或经鼻吸入糖皮质激素治疗CARAS患者,以评价经鼻吸入糖皮质激素在防治CARAS的价值.方法 采用鼻-口两用雾化器(商品名:吸保)吸入布地奈德气雾剂治疗86例CARAS患者,随机将患者分为经口吸入组和经鼻吸入组,同时观察了两组治疗前后的鼻部症状记分、胸部症状记分、肺功能和气道反应性.结果 鼻吸组与口吸组均可显著改善胸部症状、肺通气功能,降低气道高反应性.治疗前后差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),两组间比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),但在改善鼻部症状记分方面鼻吸组明显优于口吸组(P＜0.01).结论 与口腔吸入比较,经鼻吸入给予布地奈德气雾剂是一种既可控制过敏性鼻炎,又可防治哮喘的治疗方法,应在伴有过敏性鼻炎的哮喘和CARAS患者的防治中推荐使用.     

Prevalence of asthma among Qatari schoolchildren: International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, Qatar

The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases among schoolchildren aged 6-14 years in the State of Qatar, based on a questionnaire designed by the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC). A cross-sectional study of 3,283 school children living in both urban and rural areas (average age, 9.03 +/- 1.99 years; 52.3% boys and 47.7% girls) was conducted between February 2003-February 2004. The population sample had a high prevalence of diagnosed asthma (19.8%), allergic rhinitis (30.5%), eczema (22.5%), and chest infection (11.9%). The frequency of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema among parents reflected the same pattern as seen in their children. Overall, males had more asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chest infections than females. In general, the prevalence rate of asthma and allergic rhinitis decreased with age. The prevalence rate of asthma was significantly higher in mothers (11.8%) than in fathers (9.0%), but the frequency of allergic rhinitis symptoms was comparable (mothers, 18.5%; fathers, 17.5%). The prevalence rate of asthma (19.8%) in Qatari schoolchildren is very close to that in the neighboring Gulf country, Oman (20.7%), and higher than in some developing countries. Genetic factors related to the high rates of consanguinity may play an important role in the high prevalence rates noted in the Qatari population, but changes in lifestyle and environmental factors cannot be discounted as possible causes of the high prevalence noted in this study.     

The correlation between middle schoolchildren allergic symptoms and airborne particle season: A cross-sectional study

Limited studies correlate allergic symptoms and associated outdoor biological particle exposure among schoolchildren globally.This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the seasonality of symptoms of allergic diseases among middle schoolchildren and the annual variation of airborne pollen and fungal spore in a hot and humid geographical region (Qatar).During November 2017 to January 2018, a self-reported study of middle schoolchildren living in the Doha capital city of Qatar was conducted, and data gathered were evaluated in relation to the collected monthly pollen and fungal spores. Participants’ data were collected by conducting a survey based on a modified questionnaire adopted from the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC). The airborne pollen and fungal spore in Doha''s atmosphere were extracted from the Doha aerobiology project (2017–2020).Among the 1000 distributed questionnaires, 100 were excluded due to significant missing data and 644 middle schoolchildren living in Doha city responded and were included in the final analysis. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) pattern among the responders with positive symptoms were strongly linked with the higher airborne fungal spore incidence during the month of November. Out of 331 students with positive symptoms, the prevalence of AR, lifetime wheeze, and eczema was 62.8%, 28.1%, and 26.6%, respectively. Asthma was significantly higher in Qatari (39.8%) compared to non-Qatari (26.7%) middle schoolchildren (P = .02).Outdoor aeroallergen may be a contributing factor in addition to other environmental and genetic predisposing factors for childhood atopic diseases in the prevalence rate of allergic symptoms among middle schoolchildren in the peninsula of Qatar.     

Household Conditions, Eczema Symptoms and Rhinitis Symptoms: Relationship with Wheeze and Severe Wheeze in Adolescents Living in the Polokwane Area, South Africa

Objective. Determine the prevalence and risk factors of wheeze and severe wheeze in 13-to 14-year-old children. Methods. The study was conducted August 2004 to February 2005 in the Polokwane area, South Africa. Results. The 12-month prevalence rate was 18.9% for wheeze and 9.2% for severe wheeze (n = 3,926). The presence of other allergic symptoms and industrial activities appear to increase the likelihood of wheeze, even more so for severe wheeze. Socioeconomic-related factors appear to have a protective effect on wheeze. Conclusions. Wheeze appears to be a substantial public health problem in the Polokwane area.     

过敏性鼻炎-哮喘综合征的临床经济学研究

目的明确过敏性鼻炎-哮喘综合征（combinedallergicrhinitisandasthmasyndrome，CARAS）这一新的医学诊断术语。从临床经济学角度出发，对经鼻吸入糖皮质激素对CARAS联合治疗与传统的采用鼻喷雾剂和口喷雾剂分别治疗的成本／效果比（C／E）进行研究比较。方法哮喘门诊中随机选择CARAS患者74例，随机分为两组。其中一组为联合治疗组，采用经鼻吸入糖皮质激素喷雾剂进行治疗；另一组为传统治疗组，采用鼻喷雾剂和口喷雾剂分别进行治疗，疗程3个月。分别计算两组治疗的总费用（C），治疗后鼻部症状改善总评分（E1）、胸部症状改善总评分（E2）和PEFR增加值（E3），分别计算联合治疗组和传统治疗组的C／E1，C／E2和C／E3。结果C／E1，联合组为8．194，传统组为17．499；C／E2，联合组为9．001，传统组为15．432；C／E3，联合组为8。489，传统组为15．867。结论联合治疗组和传统治疗组在临床疗效基本相同的情况下，联合治疗组3个指标的C／E都远远低于传统治疗组的C／E，联合治疗这一新的治疗方式更具有临床经济学意义。     

过敏性鼻炎-哮喘综合征的临床经济学研究

目的明确过敏性鼻炎一哮喘综合征（combinedallergicrhinitisandasthmasyndrome,CARAs）这一新的医学诊断术语。从临床经济学角度出发,对经鼻吸入糖皮质激素对CARAS联合治疗与传统的采用鼻喷雾剂和口喷雾剂分别治疗的成本／效果比（C／E）进行研究比较。方法哮喘门诊中随机选择CARAS患者74例,随机分为两组。其中一组为联合治疗组,采用经鼻吸入糖皮质激素喷雾剂进行治疗;另一组为传统治疗组,采用鼻喷雾剂和口喷雾剂分别进行治疗,疗程3个月。分别计算两组治疗的总费用（C）,治疗后鼻部症状改善总评分（E1）、胸部症状改善总评分（E2）和PEFR增加值（E3）,分别计算联合治疗组和传统治疗组的C／E1,C／E2和C／E3。结果C／E1,联合组为8．194,传统组为17．499;C／E2,联合组为9．001,传统组为15．432;C／E3,联合组为8．489,传统组为15．867。结论联合治疗组和传统治疗组在临床疗效基本相同的情况下,联合治疗组3个指标的C／E都远远低于传统治疗组的C／E,联合治疗这一颓的治疗方式更具有临床经济学意义。     

过敏性鼻炎-哮喘综合征的临床经济学研究

目的 明确过敏性鼻炎-哮喘综合征(combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome,CARAS)这一新的医学诊断术语.从临床经济学角度出发,对经鼻吸入糖皮质激素对CARAS联合治疗与传统的采用鼻喷雾剂和口喷雾剂分别治疗的成本/效果比(C/E)进行研究比较.方法 哮喘门诊中随机选择CARAS患者74例,随机分为两组.其中一组为联合治疗组,采用经鼻吸入糖皮质激素喷雾剂进行治疗;另一组为传统治疗组,采用鼻喷雾剂和口喷雾剂分别进行治疗,疗程3个月.分别计算两组治疗的总费用(C),治疗后鼻部症状改善总评分(E1)、胸部症状改善总评分(E2)和PEFR增加值(E3),分别计算联合治疗组和传统治疗组的C/E1,C/E2和C/E3.结果 C/E1,联合组为8.194,传统组为17.499;C/E2,联合组为9.001,传统组为15.432;C/E3,联合组为8.489,传统组为15.867.结论 联合治疗组和传统治疗组在临床疗效基本相同的情况下,联合治疗组3个指标的C/E都远远低于传统治疗组的C/E,联合治疗这一新的治疗方式更具有临床经济学意义.