RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Hay fever, eczema, and wheeze: a nationwide UK study (ISAAC, international study of asthma and allergies in childhood)
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood
JO Arch Dis Child
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP 225
OP 230
DO 10.1136/adc.81.3.225
VO 81
IS 3
A1 Jane B Austin
A1 Balvinder Kaur
A1 H Ross Anderson
A1 Michael Burr
A1 Leigh S Harkins
A1 David P Strachan
A1 John O Warner
YR 1999
UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/81/3/225.abstract
AB OBJECTIVES To describe the prevalence of atopic symptoms in children throughout the UK. METHOD A questionnaire survey of 12–14 year olds throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and the Scottish Islands using the international study of asthma and allergies in childhood (ISAAC) protocol. RESULTS A total of 27 507 (86%) children took part. Recent rhinoconjunctivitis was reported by 18.2%, with 6.2% reporting symptoms between March and September; 16.4% reported itchy flexural rash in the past 12 months. The prevalence of atopic symptoms was higher in girls and subjects born within the UK. The prevalence of severe wheeze was highest in subjects reporting perennial rhinoconjunctivitis, as opposed to summertime only symptoms. Winter rhinoconjunctivitis was associated with severe wheeze and severe flexural rash. One or more current symptoms were reported by 47.6% of all children and 4% reported all three symptoms. CONCLUSION In general, geographical variations were small but the prevalence of symptoms was significantly higher in Scotland and northern England. The study demonstrates the importance of atopic diseases both in their own right and in association with asthma.