Key findings
In this cross-sectional study, we performed latent class analysis to identify distinct subgroups of children allergic rhinitis in a large number of clinically well-defined patients with physician-diagnosed AR. The optimal solution identified four latent classes characterized by different patterns of allergic sensitization, clinical presentations and comorbidities. The largest class consisted of 361 children (70.8% of the study population) who were predominantly monosensitized to grass pollens and had concomitant ocular symptoms. Although upper airway symptoms were the most severe in this latent class (albeit seasonal), the prevalence of coexisting asthma was significantly lower compared to all other classes. 75 children (14.7%) were allocated in the AR class characterized by predominantly house dust mite sensitization and co-existing asthma. In this group, AR symptoms were significantly milder, intermittent and perennial. In the third cluster, there were 39 children (%7.6) who underwent Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy. The fourth cluster included 35 children (6.9%) sensitized to cats and/or dogs along with grass pollens. This pattern was associated with male gender and seasonal symptoms.