Effect of allergic rhinitis on sleep in children and the risk factors of an indoor environment

Abstract

Purpose: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an independent risk factor for sleep disorders in children, including abnormal sleep behaviors. We investigated the occurrence of abnormal sleep behaviors in children with AR to determine indoor environmental risk factors affecting sleep.

Methods: This case-control study collected the sleep status and characteristics of the indoor environment of children aged 3-14 years with and without AR using a questionnaire. The differences between the two groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. The indoor environmental factors affecting sleep behavior were analyzed using logistic regression analysis.

Results: Children with AR (n=427) had a higher probability of snoring (8.7 % vs. 2.9 %; P < 0.001), mouth breathing (14.1 % vs. 5.2 %; P < 0.001), restless sleep (6.6 % vs. 4.1 %; P = 0.047), sleep talking (3.3 % vs. 1.1 %; P = 0.003), and hyperhidrosis (16.4 % vs. 8.5 %; P < 0.001) than those without AR (n=1046). Emulsion wall paint (odds ratio (OR) = 2.779; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.332-5.796; P = 0.006) and tobacco exposure in early infancy (OR = 2.065; 95 % CI 1.079-3.950; P = 0.029) were associated with hyperhidrosis.

Conclusion: Children with AR are more likely to have abnormal sleep behaviors than those without, including snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, sleep talking, and hyperhidrosis. Emulsion paint wall and tobacco smoke exposure in early infancy had a twofold higher risk of hyperhidrosis during sleep.

Keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Children; Indoor environment; Sleep.