Association between allergy and anxiety disorders in youth.

OBJECTIVE

Studies have documented associations between anxiety disorders and allergy in adults, but these associations have not been studied extensively in children. The objective of this study is to examine the associations between allergy and six anxiety disorders (AD) in youth.

METHOD: This is a data analysis of two epidemiologic-services studies: (i) alternative service use patterns of youth with serious emotional disturbance (n = 936), and (ii) methods for the epidemiology of child and adolescent mental disorders (n = 1285). Child psychiatric diagnoses were measured by the diagnostic interview schedule for children. Allergy was assessed by the service utilization and risk factors interview.

RESULTS

Among ADs, the strongest association found was between allergy and panic disorder (adjusted odds ratio 5.0; p < or = 0.001). Associations of allergy and the other ADs do not seem to be clinically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that in some patients panic disorder may be associated with hypersensitivity of immune system. Panic disorder should be considered in anxious children reporting allergy when no organic cause of allergy is found, and likewise allergy should considered in children with panic disorder.