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Worldwide variations in prevalence of symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in children: the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) |
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| Authors: | David Strachan Bonnie Sibbald Stephan Weiland Nadia Ait-Khaled Gabriel Anabwani H Ross Anderson M Innes Asher Richard Beasley Bengt Bjorksten Michael Burr Tadd Clayton Julian Crane Philippa Ellwood Ulrich Keil Christopher Lai Javier Mallol Fernando Martinez Edwin Mitchell Stephen Montefort Neil Pearce Colin Robertson Jayant Shah Alistair Stewart Erikt von Mutius Hywel Williams |
| Institution: | Department of Public Health Sciences, St Georges Hospital Medical School. Cranmer Terrace London SW17 ORE United Kingdom.;National Primary Care Research and Development Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom.;Institut fur Epidemiologie und Soztalmedizin, Westfalische Wilhelms University. Domagstr 3, D-48129 Munster, Germany;Union Internationale Contre la Tuberculose et les Maladies Respiratoires, 68, Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75006 Paris, France;Department of Paediatrics, Princess Marina Hospital, PO Box 258, Gaborone, Botswana;Departments of Paediatrics and Community Health, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92 019, Auckland. New Zealand.;Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, PD Box 7343, Wellington South, New Zealand;Department ot Pediatrics, University Hospital, S-581 85 Linkbping, Sweden;Centre for Applied Public Health Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Temple of Peace and Health, Cardiff CF1 3NW, United Kingdom;Department of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong;Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Hospital El-Pino. Classificador 23 - Correo 9, Santiago, Chile;Respiratory Sciences Center, Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA;Department of Medicine, University of Malta Medical School. G Mangia. Malta.;Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia;Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre. 15 Dr G Deshmukh Marg, Bombay 400 026, India;Kinderklmik der Universitat im Dr von Haunerschen Kinderspital. Lindwurmstrasse 4, D-80337 Munchen, Germany;Department of Dermatology, University Hospital. Queens' Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom |
| Abstract: | Background: As part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in CHITdFood (ISAAC), prevalence surveys were conducted among representative samples of school children from locations in Europe, Asia. Africa. Australasia. North and South America. Subjects: 257.800 children aged 6-7 years from 91 centres in 38 countries, and 463,801 children aged 13-14 years from 155 centres in 56 countries. Methods: Written symptom questionnaires were translated from Fnglish into the local language for self-completion hy the 13-14-year-olds and completion by the parent.s of the 6-7-year-olds. Rhinitis was described as a problem with sneezing, or a runny, or blocked nose when you (your child) DID NOT have a cold or the flu. Additional questions were asked about rhinitis associated with itchy-watery eyes, interference with activities and a history of hay fever ever. Results: The prevalenee of rhinitis with itchy-watery eyes ("rhinoeonjunc-tivitis") in the past year varied across centres from 0.8%(to 14.9%c in the 6-7-year-olds and from 1.4% to 39.7% in the 13-14-year-olds. Within each age group, the global pattem was broadly consistent across each of the symptom categories. In centres of higher prevalence there was great variability in the proportion of rhinoconjunctivitis labelled as hay fever. The lowest prevalences of rhinoconjunctivitis were found in parts of eastern Furope. south and central Asia. High prevalences were reported from cen-tres in several regions. Conclusion: These results suggest substantial worldwide variations in the prevalence and labelling of symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis which rcqtiirc further study. These differences, if real, may offer important clues t o environmental influences on ullergy. |
| Keywords: | rhinitis conjunctivitis allergic rhinitis hay fever epidemioiogy giobal |