Early-life risk factors and incidence of rhinitis: Results from the European Community Respiratory Health Study - an international population-based cohort study

Rhinitis is an increasingly common condition with a heavy health care burden, but relatively little is known about its risk factors. Objective To examine the association between early-life factors and the development of rhinitis in the European Community Respiratory Health Study (ECRHS). Methods In 1992-1994, community-based samples of 20-44-year-old people were recruited from 48 centers in 22 countries. On average, 8.9 years later, 28 centers reinvestigated their samples. Onset of rhinitis was reported by 8486 participants in interviewer-led questionnaires. Cox regression was used to assess independent predictors of rhinitis at ages a??5, 6-10, 11-20, and a?Y21 years.