Allergic rhinitis in children in relation to sleep breathing disorders: a meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION

To investigate the relationship between allergic rhinitis (AR) and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in the pediatric population.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from databases' inception to November 10, 2022, and included studies that reported results in AR children with SDB or habitual snoring (HS). The pooled prevalence of HS and SDB and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated for each analysis of the outcome using the random-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 17 studies involving 32,907 children were included. The pooled prevalence of HS was 0.04 (95% CI: 0.02-0.07; I2 = 98%, p < 0.0001). The overall OR for AR in the HS group compared with the non-HS group was 2.24 (95% CI: 1.66-3.02; z = 5.28, p < 0.0001; I2 = 34%, p = 0.1972). For the comparison between SDB and non-SDB groups, the OR was 1.49 (95% CI: 1.12-1.98; z = 2.77, p = 0.0056; I2 = 77%, p < 0.0001) (test for subgroup differences: p = 0.0540). Additionally, the pooled OR for AR in OSA versus non-OSA was 1.23 (95% CI: 1.04-1.46; z = 2.40, p = 0.0164; I2 = 46%, p = 0.0738).

CONCLUSIONS

This updated meta-analysis suggest a positive association between AR and SDB in children.