Survey of Pediatric Allergic Rhinitis Clinical Practice

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to clarify the actual situation and problems in the treatment of pediatric allergic rhinitis in Japan.

METHODS

An online survey was conducted on members of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology and Japan Society for Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology who had registered their e-mail addresses with the respective societies.

RESULTS

Responses were obtained from 803 individuals. Regarding diagnosis, pediatricians placed more emphasis on examination than on local findings, and otolaryngologists placed more emphasis on local findings than on examination. Approximately 50% of pediatricians and otolaryngologists provided nasal care instruction. Pediatricians did not utilize the practical guideline for the management of allergic rhinitis in Japan as much as otolaryngologists, and 20% of the respondents, especially pediatric non-allergists, did not have this guideline. Pediatricians spent more time seeing patients and had more difficulty in distinguishing infectious diseases in infants younger than 5 years than otolaryngologists.

CONCLUSIONS

Departmental characteristics had a significant impact on diagnostic procedures. Of the physicians in all departments, <50% provided care instructions for nasal symptoms.