Table 1

Change in prevalence (%) of symptoms

Symptoms1982 %
(n = 769)
1992 %
(n = 850)
1997 %
(n = 1016)
Percent increase (95% CI)
1982–921992–971982–97
Ever wheezed23.936.942.313.0 (8.5 to 17.5) 5.3 (0.1 to 9.8)18.4 (14.1 to 22.6)
Wheezed in the past 12 months15.522.127.2 6.6 (2.8 to 10.4) 5.1 (1.2 to 9.0)11.7 (8.0 to 15.5)
Four or more wheezing episodes in past 12 months 5.213.716.9 8.5 (5.7 to 11.3) 3.2 (−0.1 to 6.5)11.7 (8.8 to 14.5)
Diagnosed asthma12.930.538.617.6 (13.5 to 21.6) 8.1 (3.8 to 12.4)12.9 (10.5 to 15.3)
Ever had asthma medicine 8.535.046.026.5 (22.8 to 30.3)10.9 (6.4 to 15.4) 8.5 (6.5 to 10.5)
Has ever had hay fever or nasal allergies22.543.744.021.2 (16.6 to 25.8)−0.3 (−4.3 to 4.8)21.5 (17.2 to 25.7)
Natural mother or father has had asthma25.030.841.9 5.8 (1.3 to 10.2)11.1 (6.6 to 15.7)16.9 (12.4 to 21.4)