No significant increase within a 3-year interval in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis among schoolchildren in Baranya County, Hungary.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children has significantly increased worldwide in the past decades. Although it is well known that the number of AD patients has also been growing in Hungary, there are only a few published prevalence studies that allow international comparisons.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of AD among schoolchildren in Baranya County in 2005 and to compare the data with those from 2002.


METHODS
The data from the 1454 children (771 girls, 683 boys) surveyed in 2002, and 1454 children (760 girls, 694 boys) surveyed in 2005, respectively, aged 7-14 years were analysed. The distinct populations of the 7- to 9-year-old age groups were separately compared in relation to their lifetime AD prevalence.


RESULTS
The prevalence of AD accounted for 15.1% in 2002, and 16.1% in 2005. In the compared distinct 7- to 9-year-old populations the prevalence rates were 17.0% in 2002 and 17.1% in 2005. There were no statistically significant differences between the data of the two surveys.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate the high prevalence rate of AD nearly approaching the markedly high values registered in the welfare countries, and could indicate that AD has reached a plateau in Hungary.
Center for Child Health, County Hospital, Nyár u. 8, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary. harangi.ferenc@ppedhosp.adatpark.hu
F
F
Harangi
A
A
Fogarasy
A
A
Müller
I
I
Schneider
B
B
Sebõk
D000293:Adolescent; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires