Socioeconomic and geographical variation in general practitioner consultations for allergic rhinitis in England, 2003-2014: an observational study



Todkill, Daniel, Loveridge, Paul, Elliot, Alex James ORCID: 0000-0002-6414-3065, Morbey, Roger, de Lusignan, Simon, Edeghere, Obaghe ORCID: 0000-0002-4275-6338 and Smith, Gillian
(2017) Socioeconomic and geographical variation in general practitioner consultations for allergic rhinitis in England, 2003-2014: an observational study. BMJ OPEN, 7 (8). e017038-.

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Abstract

<h4>Objective</h4>Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem, potentially impacting individuals' sleep, work and social life. We aimed to use a surveillance network of general practitioners (GPs) to describe the epidemiology of AR consultations in England.<h4>Setting</h4>A large GP surveillance network covering approximately 53% of the English population.<h4>Methods</h4>GP consultations for AR across England between 30 December 2002 and 31 December 2014 were analysed. Using more granular data available between 2 April 2012 and 31 December 2014 rates and rate ratios (RR) of AR were further analysed in different age groups, gender, rural-urban classification and index of multiple deprivation score quintile of location of GP.<h4>Results</h4>The mean weekly rate for AR consultations was 19.8 consultations per 100 000 GP registered patients (range 1.13-207), with a regular peak occurring during June (weeks 24-26), and a smaller peak during April. Between 1 April 2012 and 31 December 2014, the highest mean daily rates of consultations per 1 00 000 were: in age group 5-14 years (rate=8.02, RR 6.65, 95% CI 6.38 to 6.93); females (rate=4.57, RR 1.12 95% CI 1.12 to 1.13); persons registered at a GP in the most socioeconomically deprived quintile local authority (rate=5.69, RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.47 to 1.49) or in an urban area with major conurbation (rate=5.91, RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.69 to 1.87).<h4>Conclusions</h4>AR rates were higher in those aged 5-14 years, females and in urban and socioeconomically deprived areas. This needs to be viewed in the context of this study's limitations but should be considered in health promotion and service planning.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Humans, Prevalence, Age Factors, Sex Factors, Social Class, Poverty, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Middle Aged, Child, Child, Preschool, Infant, Rural Population, Urban Population, Referral and Consultation, England, Female, Male, Young Adult, General Practitioners, General Practice, Rhinitis, Allergic
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 27 Mar 2019 15:48
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2023 00:55
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017038
Open Access URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017038
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3035124