Identifying the heterogeneity of young adult rhinitis through cluster analysis in the Isle of Wight birth cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rhinitis affects many young adults and often shows comorbidity with asthma.

Objective

We hypothesized that young adult rhinitis, like asthma, exhibits clinical heterogeneity identifiable by means of cluster analysis.

Methods

Participants in the Isle of Wight birth cohort (n = 1456) were assessed at 1, 2, 4, 10, and 18 years of age. Cluster analysis was performed on those with rhinitis at age 18 years (n = 468) by using 13 variables defining clinical characteristics.

Results

Four clusters were identified. Patients in cluster 1 (n = 128 [27.4%]; ie, moderate childhood-onset rhinitis) had high atopy and eczema prevalence and high total IgE levels but low asthma prevalence. They showed the best lung function at 18 years of age, with normal fraction of ex

SUBMITTER: Kurukulaaratchy RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4289086 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature