RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Continued increase in the prevalence of asthma and atopy JF Archives of Disease in Childhood JO Arch Dis Child FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health SP 20 OP 23 DO 10.1136/adc.84.1.20 VO 84 IS 1 A1 S H Downs A1 G B Marks A1 R Sporik A1 E G Belosouva A1 N G Car A1 J K Peat YR 2001 UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/84/1/20.abstract AB AIMS To describe the change in the prevalence of wheeze, diagnosed asthma, and atopy in Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia, between 1992 and 1997, and to compare this to the increase in prevalence reported between 1982 and 1992.METHODS A cross sectional study of the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and atopy in schoolchildren aged 8–11 years (n = 1016, response rate 71%) in 1997 compared with studies of similar design in 1992 (response rate 83%, n = 850) and 1982 (response rate 88%, n = 769). Main outcome measures were respiratory symptoms measured by parent completed questionnaire and atopy measured by skin prick tests.RESULTS Between 1992 and 1997, the prevalence of wheeze increased by 5.1% (95% CI 1.2 to 9.0), asthma diagnosis by 8.1% (95% CI 3.8 to 12.4), and atopy by 6.7% (95% CI 2.2 to 11.2). Similar increases in prevalence had been found between 1982 and 1992.CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of wheeze, asthma diagnosis, and atopy in Wagga Wagga has continued to increase.