Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 57. No. 1., 2018.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2018.57.01.09
Allergic Diseases and Atopy among Schoolchildren in Eastern Croatia
Neda Aberle
; Department of Health Studies, University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia
Blaženka Kljaić Bukvić
; Department of Pediatrics, Dr Josip Benčević General Hospital, Slavonski Brod, Croatia; School of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Mario Blekić
; Department of Pediatrics, Dr Josip Benčević General Hospital, Slavonski Brod, Croatia; School of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Marko Vučković
; Department of Pediatrics, Dr Josip Benčević General Hospital, Slavonski Brod, Croatia; School of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Darija Bardak
; Department of Internal Diseases, Požega General Hospital, Požega, Croatia
Antoneta Gudelj
; ENT, Head and Neck Surgery Department, Dr Josip Benčević General Hospital, Slavonski Brod, Croatia
Gabrijela Čančarević
; Department of Pediatrics, Nova Gradiška General Hospital, Nova Gradiška, Croatia
Maja Franić
; Department of Internal Diseases, Dr Josip Benčević General Hospital, Slavonski Brod, Croatia
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was carried out in Brod-Posavina County, Croatia, to assess the prevalence of allergic diseases and atopy, as well as to investigate the possible etiologic factors for asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in childhood. The study included 1687 schoolchildren aged 10-11 years. Data were collected using standardized International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase II written questionnaire. Skin prick tests were performed to provide an objective measure of atopy, defined as skin reactivity to one or more allergens. Lifetime prevalence of wheezing was 22.7%, rhinitis symptoms 22.5%, and eczema symptoms 17.9%. Period prevalence in the past 12 months was 7.9% for attacks of wheezing, 9.9% for rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms, and 10.1% for eczema symptoms. Of the children in which skin prick test was performed, 20.2% were positive for at least one of the allergens used, with house dust mite sensitization being the most frequent one. Risk factors for allergic disease include allergic disease in family, atopy, sensitization to indoor and outdoor allergens, and environmental tobacco smoke exposure at home. International comparison with the results of other ISAAC Phase II studies showed the Brod-Posavina County to be an area with moderate prevalence of atopy and current asthma symptoms.
Keywords
Hypersensitivity; Prevalence; Risk factors; Asthma; Rhinitis, allergic; Dermatitis, atopic
Hrčak ID:
201834
URI
Publication date:
1.3.2018.
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