A Comparison of the Incidence of Allergic Rhinitis in Pediatric Patients at Phranangklao Hospital Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
Keywords:
Allergic rhinitis, Pediatric, COVID-19, IncidenceAbstract
This study aimed to compare the incidence, demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics (disease severity and comorbidities), and medical service utilization patterns of pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis at Phranangklao Hospital before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This Survey research by Retrospective study collected data from the electronic medical records of pediatric patients aged 0-15 years diagnosed with allergic rhinitis at Phranangklao Hospital. The study period was divided into the COVID-19 pandemic period (2021-2023) and the post-pandemic period (2024-2025). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, including the Chi-square test and independent samples t-test, with a statistical significance level set at p < 0.05.
Results: A total of 885 pediatric patients met the inclusion criteria, consisting of 415 patients during the pandemic and 470 patients post-pandemic, reflecting an increasing trend in incidence. Most patients were male and school-aged. There were no significant differences in mean age and gender proportion between the two groups. Based on the ARIA guidelines, the proportion of patients with moderate-severe symptoms was significantly higher in the post-pandemic period compared to the pandemic period (62.1% vs. 51.6%, p = 0.002). Asthma was the most common comorbidity in both periods. Regarding medical service utilization, the proportion of inpatient department (IPD) admissions significantly increased to 4.5% in the post-pandemic period compared to 2.2% during the pandemic (p = 0.045).
References
Bousquet J, Anto JM, Bachert C, Baiardini I, Bosnic-Anticevich S, Walter Canonica G, et al. Allergic rhinitis. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2020;6(1):95.
Sritipsukho P, Chaiyakulsil C, Junsawat P. Quality of life of elementary school students with sleep-disordered breathing and allergic rhinitis: a population-based study in Thailand. PLoS One 2024;19(9):e0310331.
Kanjanawasee D, Limjunyawong N, Tantilipikorn P. The role of air pollution in rhinitis. Explor Asthma Allergy 2025;3:100985.
Aud-in S, Juprasong Y, Pinkaew B, Talek K, Tantilipikorn P, Songnuan W. Incidence of grass and weed sensitization in Bangkok, Thailand: a clinical study. Front Public Health 2024;12:1301095.
Chankaew K, Sinitkul R, Manuyakorn W, Roekworachai K, Kamalaporn H. Spatial estimation of PM2.5 exposure and its association with asthma exacerbation: a prospective study in Thai children. Ann Glob Health 2022;88(1):15.
He W, Li J, Hu L, Yan J, Feng M, Mao J, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on clinical visits and subjective symptoms in childhood allergic rhinitis induced by house dust mites in Shanghai. BMC Public Health 2024;24(1):3088.
Sitthikarnkha P, Uppala R, Mairiang D, Suebsarakam P, Sirikarn P, Techasatian L. Pediatric asthma control in tertiary care setting using telemedicine during COVID-19 era. Transl Pediatr 2022;11(12):1892-8.
Tongkot C. Effectiveness of telemedicine for treating asthmatic patients at Chumphae Hospital. Srinagarind Med J 2024;39(1):83-91.
Brindisi G, De Vittori V, De Nola R, D'Angelo C, Anania C, Di Mauro A, et al. Updates on children with allergic rhinitis and asthma during the COVID-19 outbreak. J Clin Med 2021;10(11):2278.
Aldecos-Alonso A, Song J, Wirusanti NI, Willemsen R, Yu H, Verhasselt V. Respiratory viruses caught our attention during COVID-19 lockdown-however, fragile infant immune systems paid the price. Front Immunol 2024;15:1470381.
Cheng M, Dai Q, Liu Z, Wang Y, Zhou C. New progress in pediatric allergic rhinitis. Front Immunol 2024;15:1452410.
Wang Y, Zhang Y, Wang C, Li H, Liu Z. Anxiety and depression in allergic rhinitis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol 2022;40(4):329-35.
Abdul-Razzak J. Retrospective study of the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on symptoms of wheezing and asthma exacerbations in children. J Clin Med 2025;14(2):356.
Alblewi A, Alshaibany A, Alhazmi S, Al-Harbi S, Alzahrani A, Alosaimi R. Prevalence of allergic rhinitis and its impact on quality of life among the pediatric population. Oman Med J 2024;39(3):e606.
