title: Prevalence of atopic eczema in the community: the Lothian Atopic Dermatitis study.
abstract: An epidemiological study of atopic eczema (AE), based on a semirural community in Scotland, using sound diagnostic criteria, has yielded prevalence data for all age groups including infants and adults. The overall 1-year period prevalence, age-standardized to the Scottish population, was 2.3%. The 1-year period prevalence was highest in the under 2s (9.8%), and showed a continuous reduction with increasing age. Over the age of 40, AE was found to be relatively rare, with a 1-year period prevalence of 0.2%. Adults over 16 years made up 38% of all patients with AE.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Dermatology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust, U.K.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Herd
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tidman
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Prescott
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology