Abstract
Background: Although numerous studies have focused on diagnostic biomarkers to help identify allergic rhinitis (AR), data on the characteristics of pediatric AR with different severity is limited. We aimed to compare the characteristics of pediatric AR with different severity. Methods: A total of 1054 children with AR were enrolled and classified into mild intermittent AR, mild persistent AR, moderate-to-severe intermittent AR, and moderate-to-severe persistent AR. All children were surveyed using a questionnaire that included detailed demographic information. Blood cell analysis was performed using an automatic hematology analyzer. Results: No significant differences were observed in feeding patterns, dietary habits, outdoor activity time, total IgE, eosinophil count, and eosinophil percentage among the different AR subgroups. However, a higher prevalence of a family history of AR was noted in the moderate-to-severe persistent group. Symptoms were more likely to exacerbate when using air conditioning in children with moderate-to-severe persistent AR. Multivariate regression analysis also showed that symptom exacerbation when using air conditioning was associated with disease severity. Conclusions: This study suggests that exacerbation of symptoms during air conditioning use can be considered a predictive factor for the severity of pediatric AR. Doctors and parents should pay special attention to these children to prevent more severe symptoms and improve the quality of life of these patients as early as possible.