EPIDEMIOLOGY AND DIAGNOSIS OF ALLERGIC DI SEASES

Epidemiological studies indicate a world-wide and significant increase in atopic diseases over the past decades, which has adopted alarming dimensions within the industrialized world. However, allergic asthma a nd pollinosis, in particular, are on the increase in Third world count ries, in parallel to the industrialization and westernization of their life-style. Since both antigen exposure and the presence of additiona l realization factors are required for the manifestation of atopic dis eases, this increase in prevalence is not surprising. In addition to i ncreased indoor and outdoor pollution, changes in the way of living-ca using increased allergen exposure - certainly play an important role a s cofactor in the increased incidence of allergies. Accurate diagnosti c procedures permit a better understanding of the realization factors for allergic diseases in epidemiological studies and identification of the causative agent in the individual so that effective therapeutic a nd prophylactic steps can be taken. Despite improved in vivo and in vi tro test methods, the case history is still of paramount importance in reaching a diagnosis; the potential hazards of skin and provocation t esting, as well as the high costs and limitations of in vitro methods prohibit ''blind allergy screening''.