Abstract:Abstract:ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiological characteristics of allergic rhinitis (AR) in elderly patients in Foshan and the distribution of aeroallergens, in an attempt to put forward effective prevention and control measures.MethodsSkin prick tests (SPT) results of 116 elderly patients with AR in our outpatient department from Jan 2011 to Dec 2015 were collected. Characteristics of AR in elderly were analyzed, general distribution of aeroallergens and dynamic change of positive rate of every allergen with time were explored.ResultsThe total positive rate of aeroallergens was 50.86% (59/116). Dermatophagoides pteronyssinu, Dermatophagoides farina and Tropical mites ranked the first, second and third with positive rate of 44.83%、36.21%,25.86% respectively, and the positive rate of Blattella germanica (21.55%), dog hair (18.10%) and cat hair (14.66%) reduced gradually. The positive rates of aeroallergens in male and female were 48.28%(28/58) and 53.45%(31/58) respectively, and the difference was statistically insignificant (χ2=0.310,P>0.05).The positive rate of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was the highest in every year of the five years while those of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farina, tropical mites, Blattella germanica, dog hair, cat hair, Japanese hop and fungal group I were fluctuant. The changes in the positive rates of tropical mites and Japanese hop were statistically significant (both P<0.05).ConclusionAR in elderly patients is related with age and season, but has no obvious relation with gender. The main aeroallergen tested by SPT in elderly with AR in Foshan is Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. The positive rates of dust mites, tropical mites, Blattella germanica, dog hair, cat hair, Japanese hop and fungal group I are fluctuant with time.