Prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema in 13- to 14-year-old schoolchildren from the northeast of England.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema in schoolchildren from the northeast of England.


METHODS
We randomly selected 3,000 children from 80 schools. We used the ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) written questionnaire.


RESULTS
The lifetime prevalence rates of symptoms were: rhinitis, 32.8%; wheezing, 31.3%; hay fever, 23.7%; and self-reported asthma, 22.3%. Rhinitis was reported by 53% and 61% of boys and girls with asthma, respectively. Girls 13 to 14 years of age had higher prevalence rates of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema symptoms than boys; a reverse sex ratio has been shown in this age group. Atopic eczema was reported by 32% of boys with asthma and 37% of girls with asthma.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence rates of reported asthma, and symptoms suggestive of asthma, were higher than those previously reported in UK children. The present study would be a suitable baseline for monitoring future trends in the prevalence and severity of asthma and allergic disorders among these children, and provides a framework for further etiologic research into the genetics, lifestyle, environmental, and medical care factors affecting these conditions.
Shamssain
M H
MH
School of Health Sciences, University of Sunderland,  United Kingdom. mohammed.shamssain@sunderland.ac.uk
Shamsian
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution