Table 2.
Odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of the relationships between selected allergy-related factors and symptoms.
| Child’s Age (Ref. 5–6 Years) 3–4 Years | Child’s Gender (Ref. Girls) Boys | Allergies in the Family (Ref. No Allergies in the Family) | Allergy Diagnosed by a Pediatrician or Other Specialist (Ref. Allergist) | Allergy Skin Test (Ref. Serology Test) | Applied Treatment—Steroids (Ref. Antihistamines) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contact dermatitis: skin redness, erythema, pruritus, urticaria, eczema | 1.45 * (1.24–1.77) | 1.12 (1.03–1.29) | 1.04 (0.96–1.12) | 0.84 * (0.72–1.05) | 1.36 * (1.22–1.59) | 0.71 * (0.62–0.89) |
| Contact dermatitis: atopic dermatitis | 1.74 ** (1.33–1.89) | 1.07 (0.88–1.23) | 0.78 * (0.64–0.93) | 1.37 * (1.19–1.51) | 0.71 * (0.62–0.89) | 1.87 ** (1.42–2.06) |
| Oral allergy: itchiness or swelling of lips/tongue/throat, laryngeal edema, globus sensation | 1.07 (0.96–1.27) | 0.94 (0.88–1.07) | 1.11 (1.02–1.26) | 1.10 (1.01–1.24) | 0.75 * (0.67–0.91) | 0.63 ** (0.51–0.83) |
| Gastrointestinal allergy: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, gastroesophageal reflux | 0.74 * (0.62–1.02) | 1.29 * (1.17–1.40) | 1.05 (0.99–1.17) | 1.14 (0.97–1.20) | 1.08 (0.94–1.20) | 0.47 ** (0.32–0.70) |
| Upper-respiratory-tract reactions: nasal pruritus, sneezing, nasal/postnasal drip, cough, hoarseness, tightness in the chest, wheezing, dyspnea | 1.11 (1.02–1.24) | 1.06 (0.94–1.18) | 1.39 * (1.26–1.57) | 1.84 ** (1.29–2.09) | 1.76 ** (1.54–1.89) | 1.57 ** (1.24–1.86) |
| Cardiovascular reactions: dizziness, hypotension, loss of consciousness | 1.03 (0.93–1.11) | 0.76 * (0.64–0.89) | 1.03 (0.92–1.14) | 1.77 ** (1.23–1.89) | 1.12 (0.96–1.34) | 1.05 (1.01–1.08) |
| Anaphylaxis | 0.72 * (0.65–0.91) | 1.18 (1.06–1.32) | 0.54 ** (0.41–0.76) | 1.34 * (1.11–1.45) | 0.71 * (058–0.88) | 1.02 (0.95–1.08) |
| Other: skin pallor, diaphoresis, fatigue, retarded growth, etc. | 1.04 (0.89–1.10) | 0.95 (0.82–1.11) | 1.03 (0.94–1.09) | 1.07 (0.91–1.15) | 1.09 (1.01–1.24) | 1.04 (0.91–1.12) |
The odds ratios were adjusted for the allergy-related factors and symptoms, excluding the modeled variable from the confounder set. Three variables were identified as potential confounding factors: age, diagnosis, and the treatment recommended by a physician. The selection of moderators was evidence based: Age is a key variable influencing the time of symptom onset. The participants’ age was determined with an accuracy of six months and rounded to the nearest full year. The diagnosis made by an allergist is based on testing and research, and it is more reliable than a diagnosis made by a pediatrician or other pediatric specialist who was classified as another specialist. All drugs containing any type of steroids were classified as steroid treatment, whereas chromones and all drugs inhibiting histamine release were classified as antihistamine treatment. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01—level of significance assessed by Wald’s test.