Naslov
Prevalence of Asthma anad Allergic Diseases in Croatian Children Is Increasing:Survey Study

Autori
Banac, Srđan ; Lah-Tomulić, Kristina ; Ahel, Vladimir ; Rožmanić, Vojko ; Šimundić, Nada ; Zubović, Sanja ; Milardović, Ana ; Topić, Jelena

Izvornik
Croatian medical journal (0353-9504) 45 (2004), 6; 721-726

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

Ključne riječi
asthma; respiratory sounds; rhinitis; allergic; perenial; dermatitis; atopic; child; epidemiology; prevalence

Sažetak
Aim was to estimate the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis among Croatian children and to compare the results with data from other countries. The study was conducted during the school year 2001-2002, in complete adherence to the Phase One protocol of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC). The target population comprised two age groups (13-14 and 6-7 years ) in the region of Primorsko-goranska County, Croatia. Data were collected using standardized ISAAC written questionnaire and asthma video questionnaire. There were 2194 participating children in the 13-14 years age group (response rate 89.8%) and 1634 participating children in the 6-7 years age group (response rate 80.3%). Estimated 12-month prevalence rates of symptoms were: asthma 8.4% (older group) and 9.7% (younger group), allergic rhinitis 17.5% and 16.9%, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis 6.7% and 5.6%, atopic dermatitis 3.4% and 5.4%. Results suggest an increase in prevalence of atopic diseases in Croatian children over the last few decades as compared to prior studies. The results are suitable for international comparison suggesting that Croatia is a country with moderate prevalence of atopic diseases in pediatric population. The results represent a baseline for further epidemiological research of these diseases.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija, Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita

POVEZANOST RADA