Hubungan Antara Merokok dengan Derajat Keparahan Rinitis Alergi pada Mahasiswa Kedokteran Universitas Sumatera Utara Angkatan 2021-2023

Abstract

Background. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa that occurs due to the release of immunoglobulin (Ig)-E mediators. Allergic rhinitis can cause an itchy nose, sneezing, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion. Allergic rhinitis, the most common atopic disease, has the highest prevalence in adolescents and in industrialized countries. Respiratory allergies can be caused by exposure to cigarette smoke. Smoking impacts the course of allergic rhinitis. Smoking worsens the symptoms of allergic rhinitis but does not cause allergic rhinitis itself. In addition, smoking can worsen persistent allergic rhinitis symptoms. Objective. To determine the relationship between the role of smoking and the severity of allergic rhinitis in medical students at the University of North Sumatra class of 2021-2023. Methods. This study is a cross-sectional study with analytic type. Data were obtained using an allergic rhinitis questionnaire and active and passive smoking questionnaires distributed to medical students of the University of North Sumatra class of 2021-2023. The role of smoking is divided into active smokers, passive smokers, and non-smokers. Results and Discussion. Of the 120 research samples, 80 respondents (66.7%) were diagnosed with RA. The majority of students are passive smokers as many as 26 people (21.7%), 5 people (4.2%) are active smokers, and 89 people (74.2%) do not smoke. Most students involved in this study experienced moderate severity, totaling 49 people (61.3%). Using the Kruskal Wallis test showed that there was no relationship between smoking and the incidence of allergic rhinitis (p=0.762), and there was no relationship between smoking and the severity of allergic rhinitis (p=0.348). Conclusion. There is no relationship between the smoking and the severity of allergic rhinitis in medical students of the University of North Sumatra batch 2021-2023.