D3.49 - Associations between the prevalence of sensitization of pets and symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) in children

Recent findings indicate that the number of pet owners is increasing, and sensitization to cats and dogs has also risen among children in Korea.

To investigate this trend, 330 children aged 1 to 15 years with allergic rhinitis (AR) were enrolled in the Korean Childhood AR Study. This study utilized questionnaires and pediatric evaluations to assess pet ownership and the extent of AR morbidity. Additionally, we measured levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE), eosinophil counts, and atopic status

Our analysis included children sensitized to pets (n = 182) compared to those not sensitized (n = 148). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding gender, age, body mass index (BMI), severity of AR, or eosinophil count (P > 0.05). However, total IgE levels were significantly higher in children who were sensitized to pets than in those who were not (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that pet sensitization was significantly associated with increased age and total IgE levels, as well as a decrease in parental allergic disease in children with AR (P < 0.05). Conversely, pet sensitization was not linked to the severity of AR. Additionally, multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that symptoms related to pet exposure were significantly associated with pet sensitization and pet ownership in children with AR, but not with total IgE levels or eosinophil counts. There were no significant differences in allergic symptoms between children who owned dogs and those who owned cats (P > 0.05).

We concluded that pet sensitization in children with AR is associated with atopic status but not with the severity of AR in Korean children