Table 1 Description of the sample and methods of the studies included and how Atopy and Rhinitis were assessed

Aronsson, 2005

NI

43^†

H: 41 (19-56);

AR: 33 (18-55)^§

11%

SPT

Symptoms

Berlyne, 2000

Outpatient clinics

131^†

H: 36 (13);

A: 37 (12)

43%

SPT

NA

Cardinale, 2005

Outpatient clinics (healthy: schools)

175^†

H: 10.3 (2.2);

AR: 10.1 (1.8)

29%

Specific IgE/Rast; Total IgE

Clinical Assessment

Cibella, 2008

NI

335

12.1 (10-16)^§

43%

SPT

Symptoms

Gratziou, 2008

Outpatient clinics (healthy: volunteers)

27^†

H: 36 (8);

AR: 35 (10)

37%

SPT

Symptoms

Hervás, 2008

Outpatient clinics

90

10.8 (6-15)^§

64%

SPT

Clinical Assessment

Hung, 2007

Outpatient clinics

60

5-14^||

47%

Specific IgE

Symptoms

Kosticas, 2008

Schools

219*

H: 21.4 (2.3); AR: 21.8 (3.0)

52%

SPT

Symptoms

Malmberg, 2006

Schools

276*

11.6 (6.9-15.7)^§

51%

SPT

NA

Manson, 2009

NI

20

H: 23-48;

AR: 20-49^||

20%

SPT

Symptoms

Marcucci, 2007

NI

41

6 -10^||

NI

SPT;

Specific IgE/Rast

NA

Olin, 2004

Workers

246^†

H: 44.5 (0.69); AR: 41.5 (1.51)

94%

Specific IgE/Rast

Symptoms

Prieto, 2002 (1)

Outpatient clinics (Healthy: schools and volunteers)

48^†

H: 28.6 (9.2); AR: 33.0 (10.5)

54%

SPT

Clinical Assessment

Prieto, 2002 (2)

Outpatient clinics (Healthy: schools and volunteers)

24^†

H: 27.5 (3.3); AR: 34.9 (2.8)

33%

SPT

Clinical Assessment

Profita, 2006

NI

91

H: 10 (2.4);

AR: 9.9 (2.9)

59%

SPT; Specific IgE/Rast; Total IgE

Clinical Assessment

Rolla, 2007

Outpatient clinics

108^†

39.3 (11-75)^§

45%

SPT

Symptoms

Rouhos, 2008

General Population

248^†

45 (26-61)

72%

SPT

NI

Saito, 2004

NI

278

10-12^||

50%

Specific IgE/Rast

NA

Tanou, 2009

NI

70*

H: 31.8 (5.9); AR: 32.8 (7.2)

46%

SPT; Total IgE

Symptoms