title: [Prevalence of allergic diseases in primary school children in Cracow and surroundings--risk factors].
abstract: Prevalence of allergic diseases has been increasing over recent decades, especially in developed countries. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis in children of Krakow at school age, depending on home and school environment conditions. The study was carried out in two stages: questionnaire based on ISAAC questionnaire and skin prick tests in children with symptoms suggesting allergic disease were performed. Altogether 532 children from 4 primary schools (2 in central and 2 in peripheral parts of the city) were included. Symptoms suggestive of allergic disease were reported by 304 children (57.1%), including asthma in 145 (27.2%) and allergic rhinitis in 288 children (54.1%). Asthma and allergic rhinitis was previously diagnosed in 19 (4%) and 138 (26%) children respectively. In younger age groups more children reported symptoms suggestive of asthma. Pupils from schools in the center of Krakow exposed to high level of traffic significantly more frequently reported asthma and had diagnosed allergic rhinitis. Increased prevalence of allergic rhinitis symptoms was observed in children exposed to passive smoking. Skin prick tests were positive only in 29.7% of children qualified for them. The results of the study suggest that in pupils with allergic rhinitis in whom skin prick tests are weakly positive for inhaled allergens, environmental factors may play an important role in the development of clinical symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Alergologii Szpitala Uniwersyteckiego 31-531 Kraków, ul. Sniadeckich 10. mfczarno@kinga.cyf-kr.edu.pl
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Czarnobilska
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klimaszewska-Rembiasz
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gaweł
authors.forename: Aleksander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Obtułowicz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012882:Skin Tests; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires