Abstract
A sex-switch in the occurrence of asthma from male predominance in childhood to female in adulthood has been recognized by population-based studies. However, little is known about such sex-differences in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis. The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to examine sex differences in the prevalence of rhinitis before and after puberty in adolescence as well as throughout adulthood. Out of 6539 publications identified using Pubmed and Embase search engines (years 2000 - 2014), 63 cross-sectional population-based studies (274371 males and 281171 females) were included in our meta-analysis. Pooled estimates from random-effect meta-analyses for the male-female ratio (MFR) of the prevalence of self- or parent-reported symptoms of rhinitis were: in children before puberty (aged up to 10 years) MFR 1.21 (95% CI 1.18-1.25), during and shortly after puberty (aged 11 - <18 years) MFR 0.89 (95% CI 0.84-0.95); and in adults MFR 0.90 (95% CI 0.71-1.13). There was considerable heterogeneity across the studies: I²=75.9% (studies <11y); I²=95.5% (11- <18y); I²=93.0% (18+ y). Results from our meta-analyses showed a sex-switch in the prevalence of rhinitis from childhood to adulthood. The strong male predominance in childhood changed towards a slight female predominance at around puberty that persisted into adulthood. Further research, particularly longitudinal studies, is needed to examine determinants and possible mechanisms for this sex-switch in rhinitis prevalence. Longitudinal studies are needed to understand the pubertal switch.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
