Prevalence and Pattern of Comorbidities in Children With Allergic Conjunctivitis at Kenyatta National Hospital, Eye Clinic

Abstract

Allergic Conjunctivitis (AC) is associated with other allergic diseases such as asthma, eczema and rhinitis, which add to the burden of disease and quality of life. Studies on prevalence of AC and its comorbid conditions show high regional differences. This is attributed to differences in latitudinal location, climate, socio-economic factors, diet, hygiene, pollen dispersion and air pollution. Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of ocular and systemic co-morbidities in children with allergic conjunctivitis at Kenyatta national hospital, eye clinic. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study reviewing medical records. Simple random sampling was used to select 121 files of children diagnosed with allergic conjunctivitis at Kenyatta National Hospital, eye clinic. Data on all ocular and systemic co-morbid conditions was extracted and recorded in a questionnaire. We defined comorbidity as a disease or medical condition that is simultaneously present with AC due to either direct causation or associated risk factors. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0. The frequencies, means and proportions were determined by descriptive analysis. Relationship between different comorbidities, demographic characteristics and AC grade was also analyzed. Results: Ocular comorbidities were present in 83.5% patients; refractive error 60.3%, dry eye syndrome 52.1%, corneal scars 9.9%, Keratoconus 7.4%, corneal pannus 6.6%, shield ulcer 1.7%, bacterial conjunctivitis 1.7%. AC treatment complications include steroid responders 10.5% and steroid induced cataracts 2.3%. Systemic comorbidities were found in 37.2% of patients; allergic rhinitis in 26.4%, eczema 10.7%, adenoid hypertrophy 8.3%, food allergies 7.4%, asthma 5.0%, and drug allergy 2.5%. Dry eye syndrome (DES) and keratoconus were associated with higher grade of AC. Conclusion: Majority of the AC patients had ocular comorbidities while only about one third had systemic comorbidities. Treatment complications were few.