title: Allergies in Germany -- prevalence and perception by the public.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the recent decades allergies have become more frequent all over the world. However, it is unclear how important the topic of allergies is for the general German population and how appropriately patients with allergies are treated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A telephone survey was performed on a representative random sample of n = 1,004 adults in Germany. The survey was performed by the Forsa Institute for Social Research and Statistical Analysis, Berlin, Germany, in the period from 31 January to 2 February 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the interviewees 52% responded that the topic of allergies concerned them; in 33% actually an allergy had been diagnosed by a physician. The proportion of allergies in the population correlated with the level of school education and was higher among people with a higher educational status. No differences in allergy rates were found between Eastern and Western Germany. Among allergic persons, 53% reported to be burdened by their allergy, 48% suffered from impaired performance because of their allergic symptoms. Among people suffering from pollen allergy, only 28% received sublingual immune therapy, with which 70% were satisfied. While 58% practiced self-medication, only 21% of the allergic persons were treated with anti-allergic drugs during their allergy flares.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Allergic diseases are a common, often burdensome problem in the German population, but nevertheless the medical treatment of people affected is still insufficient. The proportion of patients receiving sublingual immune therapy as causal treatment is comparatively low. Active steps are needed to improve the utilization behavior of patients, e. g. to take advice of an allergy specialist.
authors: IVDP Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany. m.augustin@uke.de
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Augustin
authors: Nadine
authors: N
authors: Franzke
authors: Florian C
authors: FC
authors: Beikert
authors: Rudolf
authors: R
authors: Stadler
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Reusch
authors: Jochen
authors: J
authors: Schmitt
authors: Ines
authors: I
authors: Schäfer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011639:Public Opinion; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014600:Utilization Review; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents