Naslov
Allergic diseases and atopy among schoolchildren in eastern Croatia

Autori
Aberle, Neda ; Kljaić Bukvić, Blaženka ; Blekić, Mario ; Vučković, Marko ; Bardak, Darija ; Gudelj, Antoneta ; Čančarević, Gabrijela ; Franić, Maja

Izvornik
Acta clinica Croatica (0353-9466) 57 (2018), 1; 82-90

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
prevalence ; allergic diseases ; atopy ; children ; eastern Croatia

Sažetak
Aim: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Brod-Posavina County, Croatia, to estimate prevalence of allergic diseases and atopy, as well as to investigate possible etiologic factors for asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in childhood. Methods: The study included 1687 schoolchildren aged 10-11.Data were collected using standardized International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase II written questionnaire. Skin prick tests were performed to provide an objective measure of atopy, defined as skin reactivity to one or more allergens. Results: Lifetime prevalence for wheezing was 22.7 %, rhinitis symptoms 22.5 %, and eczema symptoms 17.9 %, respectively. Period prevalence in the past 12 months was 7.9 % for attacks of wheezing, 9.9 % for rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms, and 10.1 % for eczema symptoms. 20.2 % of the children who performed skin prick test were positive to at least one of the adopted allergens, with house dust mite sensitisation being the most frequent one. Risk factors for allergic disease include allergic disease in family, atopy, sensitisations to indoor and outdoor allergens and environmental tobacco smoke exposure at home. Conclusion: An international comparison with results of other ISAAC Phase II studies has shown that Brod- Posavina County is an area with moderate prevalence rate for atopy and current asthma symptoms.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA