title: Continued increase in the prevalence of asthma and atopy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors: Institute of Respiratory Medicine, University of Sydney, PO Box M77, Missenden Road Post Office, Camperdown NSW 2050, Australia. shd@mail.med.usyd.edu.au  
authors: S H
authors: SH
authors: Downs
authors: G B
authors: GB
authors: Marks
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Sporik
authors: E G
authors: EG
authors: Belosouva
authors: N G
authors: NG
authors: Car
authors: J K
authors: JK
authors: Peat
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology; D012882:Skin Tests