Is there a geographical variation in eczema prevalence in the UK? Evidencefrom the 1958 British birth cohort study

Some studies have suggested that the prevalence of atopic eczema may vary b etween geographical regions. This descriptive study investigates the region al and subregional geography of reported and examined eczema prevalence at the age of 7. 11 and 16 years in Britain using data from the 1958 birth coh ort study (n = 828). Estimates of the relative risk of reported eczema asso ciated with residence in each region of the country were calculated and the regional distribution of reported and examined eczema prevalence was compa red. The reported prevalence of eczema was mapped at the smaller county lev el. Comparisons were made with the county-level distribution of asthma and hay fever prevalence. The study showed a marked and statistically significa nt variation in eczema prevalence across the regions in Britain which was p resent for examined as well as reported eczema. The highest risk was associ ated with four regions: North Midlands; Eastern; London and the South-East; and Southern. This regional pattern was not altered significantly after ad justment for social class and family size. The geographical distribution of eczema prevalence was largely maintained when analysed at the county level . Few similarities were found between the county-level distribution of ecze ma prevalence and that for asthma and hay fever, Explanations for this stro ng regional variation now need to be sought in terms of environmental and l ife-style associations.