Hay fever, eczema, and wheeze: a nationwide UK study (ISAAC, internationalstudy of asthma and allergies in childhood)

Objectives-To describe the prevalence of atopic symptoms in children throug hout the UK. Method-A questionnaire survey of 12-14 year olds throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and the Scottish Islands using the international study of asthma and allergies in childhood (ISAAC) protocol. Results-A total of 27 507 (86%) children took part. Recent rhinoconjunctivi tis was reported by 18.2%, with 6.2% reporting symptoms between March and S eptember; 16.4% reported itchy flexural rash in the past 12 months. The pre valence of atopic symptoms was higher in girls and subjects born within the UK. The prevalence of severe wheeze was highest in subjects reporting pere nnial rhinoconjunctivitis, as opposed to summertime only symptoms. Winter r hinoconjunctivitis was associated with severe wheeze and severe flexural ra sh. One or more current symptoms were reported by 47.6% of all children and 4% reported all three symptoms. Conclusion-In general, geographical variations were small but the prevalenc e of symptoms was significantly higher in Scotland and northern England. Th e study demonstrates the importance of atopic diseases both in their own ri ght and in association with asthma.