Epidemiological investigation and analysis of allergic rhinitis in troops stationed in Xuzhou

Abstract

Objective　To investigate the epidemiology of allergic rhinitis (AR) in troops stationed in Xuzhou, and analyze its associated risk factors and influence on sleep patterns, life quality, and training of officers and soldiers. Methods　A randomly chosen sample of 1030 servicemen stationed in Xuzhou from March to April 2011 served as the subjects of this study. The study was conducted in two phases. First, a questionnaire survey was undertaken. Then those subjects suspected to have AR, discovered through the questionnaire results, were finally diagnosed by clinical examination. Results　1052 questionnaires were issued, and 1030 questionnaires were returned and deemed valid. The overall incidence of AR in troops stationed in Xuzhou was 17.1%. The incidence in male and female was 17.0% and 18.8%, respectively, and there was no significant difference (P=0.731). Bronchial asthma and other allergic diseases, along with family history, were closely related to the occurrence of AR. Therefore they were identified to be the important risk factors for AR (OR=0.967, P=0.001; OR=2.098, P < 0.001). Approximately 44.9% of the patients felt that AR affected their sleep, whereas 75.6% felt the condition affected their life quality and training. Conclusions　There is a higher prevalence of AR in troops stationed in Xuzhou. Family history, other allergic diseases are found to be related to increased risk of AR, and there is a significant impact on quality of life, training and rest of soldiers. Reasonable control of AR has important military value and significance.