The Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis in Korean Children: Nationwide Surveys in the Periods 1995-2022

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the current prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) among Korean children based on a 2022 nationwide survey and to analyze long-term trends from 1995 to 2022. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022, involving 12,558 children aged 6-13 years from randomly selected elementary and middle schools across Korea. The AR prevalence and risk factors were assessed using the modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Questionnaire. The data were compared with epidemiological surveys conducted in 1995, 2000, and 2010 to evaluate long-term trends. Results: The prevalence rates of AR symptoms during the last 12 months were 45.2%, 48.2%, and 47.8%, respectively, in children aged 6-7, 9-10, and 12-13 years, respectively. Among children aged 6-7 years, the prevalence of AR symptoms showed a long-term upward trend, rising from 29.9% in 1995 to 26.0% in 2000, 43.6% in 2010, and 45.2% in 2022 (P < 0.001). Among children aged 12-13 years, the prevalence rates also increased steadily, from 26.7% in 1995 to 31.0% in 2000, 42.7% in 2010, and 47.8% in 2022 (P < 0.001). A parental history of allergic disease and a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis were risk factors for AR symptoms during the last 12 months across all study populations from both the 2010 and 2022 surveys. Antibiotic use during infancy and male sex were significant contributors to AR development in children aged 6-7 years, whereas female sex was a significant risk factor in adolescents aged 12-13 years in 2022. Conclusions: The prevalence of AR among Korean children has increased over the past few decades, highlighting the importance of continuous surveillance and preventive measures. Identifying modifiable risk factors, such as early-life exposure and environmental influences, is crucial for developing targeted intervention strategies.