Background:Allergic rhinitis(AR) is a condition that increases the likelihood of OSAS.In addition to the classic symptoms of AR,the impairment of quality of life and sleep is also important.
Aim:Our aim was to investigate OSAS and the effect of AR treatment in children diagnosed with AR.
Methods:Children aged 4 to 18 diagnosed with AR and not yet received AR treatment were enrolled.The patients were subjected to total nasal symptom score(TNSS), pediatric rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire(PRQLQ),sleep disturbance scale for children(SDSC) and polysomnography.After 8 weeks of AR treatment,all patients were questioned again,patients who were diagnosed with OSAS were performed control polysomnography.
Results:In total 35 children enrolled in the study and 15 of them(42.8%) diagnosed with OSAS.There was no difference in gender, age, the body mass index z-scores, the PRQLQ,TNSS, and SDSC scores of the children with or without OSAS.After AR treatment, a significant decrease was detected in the apnea hypopnea index,PRQLQ,TNSS and SDSC scores compared to the control data of the patients with OSAS(p<0.001,for all).One patient with severe and 7 patients with moderate OSAS improved to mild,while 3 patients (75%) with mild OSAS improved to normal.A positive correlation was found between the initial TNSS score and PRQLQ,SDSC and number of obstructive apnea.
Conclusion:It is known that sleep is affected in 40% of children with AR.AR treatment can reduce nasal congestion,reduces daytime sleepiness and improves quality of life.In the monitoring of patients,the relationship between TNSS and both quality of life and sleep scales,as well as the number of obstructive apneas,can be guiding in tratment decisions.