Sk. Weiland et al., The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC): rational methods and outlook, ALLERGOLOGI, 22(5), 1999, pp. 275-282
Despite considerable research little is known about the etiology of asthma
and allergic disease. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Ch
ildhood (ISAAC) was developed to maximize the value of epidemiological rese
arch into asthma and allergies by establishing standardized methods and int
ernational collaboration. The aims of ISAAC are: to describe the prevalence
and severity of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in children living in differe
nt centres, and to make comparisons within and between countries; to obtain
baseline measures for assessment of future trends in the prevalence and se
verity of these diseases; and to provide a framework for further etiologica
l research into genetic, lifestyle, environmental, and medical care factors
affecting these diseases, The collaborative study has 3 phases, Phase I wa
s developed to assess the prevalence and severity of asthma and allergic di
sorders among children in many populations worldwide, The standardized stud
y protocol has been completed successfully in 155 centers on all 5 continen
ts. The great variability in living conditions between the study centers is
ideal for ecologic analyses of determinants of disease in populations. Fir
st articles on the worldwide variation in prevalence of these diseases will
be published soon.