| 1. |
- Aberg, N, et al.
(författare)
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Increase of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in Swedish schoolchildren between 1979 and 1991.
- 1995
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Ingår i: Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0954-7894. ; 25:9, s. 815-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A previous study has shown a twofold increase in prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) in Swedish recruits during the 1970s. The increase was higher in more northerly colder regions.To follow up the previously found trend to increasing prevalences with time as well as the climatic variations within the country.The prevalences of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema were assessed using two questionnaire studies, 12 years apart (1979 and 1991) with identical questions about the diseases. The study comprised representative samples of children from the Göteborg area on the south-western coast (in 1979: 7-year-olds, n = 4255, in 1991: 7-year-olds, n = 1649) and in Kiruna, a mining town in the northernmost inland mountains (in 1979: 7-year-olds, n = 427, in 1991: 7-9-year-olds, n = 832). In 1991 there was also a personal interview and a skin-prick test (SPT) on subsamples.The prevalence of all these diseases present over the last year had roughly doubled over the 12-year period. On both occasions, most symptoms were more prevalent in the northern area. In 1991, the prevalence of one or more symptoms in Göteborg was 23.8% and 32.5% and in Kiruna 29.9% and 44.8% in the questionnaire and the interview, respectively.Asthma, AR and eczema increase continuously in prevalence in Sweden and the climatic distribution of the prevalences suggests possible major risk factors to be found in a closed indoor climate.
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| 2. |
- Aberg, N, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence of allergic diseases in schoolchildren in relation to family history, upper respiratory infections, and residential characteristics.
- 1996
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Ingår i: Allergy. - : Wiley. - 0105-4538 .- 1398-9995. ; 51:4, s. 232-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The prevalences of asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and eczema were analyzed in relation to retrospective risk factors from birth in a questionnaire study of schoolchildren in two areas covering the whole climatic span of Sweden: the Göteborg area on the southwestern coast (7-year-olds, n = 1649) and Kiruna, a mining town in the northernmost inland mountains (7-9-year-olds, n = 832). The strongest background factor, a family history of the diseases, was more common in children with another strong risk factor, particularly for asthma: high frequency of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Other significant risk factors related to high indoor humidity caused an increased prevalence of both allergic diseases and URTI. Active mechanical ventilation of the homes caused a slight reduction of the prevalence of allergic diseases, and repainting or new wallpaper in the bedroom of the child after birth caused a moderately increased risk of allergic disease. This study illustrates the interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors with special emphasis on factors related to an unventilated indoor climate, which may have substantially contributed to the current increase of the diseases in the country.
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| 3. |
- Hesselmar, Bill, 1955, et al.
(författare)
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Does early exposure to cat or dog protect against later allergy development?
- 1999
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Ingår i: Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0954-7894. ; 29:5, s. 611-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It is unknown which factors in modern western society that have caused the current increase in prevalence of allergic diseases. Improved hygiene, smaller families, altered exposure to allergens have been suggested.To assess the relationship between exposure to pets in early life, family size, allergic manifestations and allergic sensitization at 7-9 and 12-13 years of age.The prevalence of allergic diseases and various background factors were assessed in 1991 and 1996 by questionnaire studies. In 1991, the study comprised representative samples of children from the Göteborg area on the Swedish west coast (7 years old, n = 1649) and the inland town Kiruna in northern Sweden (7-9 years old, n = 832). In 1992, a validation interview and skin prick test (SPT) were performed in a stratified sub-sample of 412 children. In 1996, this subgroup was followed up with identical questions about clinical symptoms as in 1991, detailed questions about early pet exposure were added and SPT performed.Children exposed to pets during the first year of life had a lower frequency of allergic rhinitis at 7-9 years of age and of asthma at 12-13 years. Children exposed to cat during the first year of life were less often SPT positive to cat at 12-13 years. The results were similar when those children were excluded, whose parents had actively decided against pet keeping during infancy because of allergy in the family. There was a negative correlation between the number of siblings and development of asthma and allergic rhinitis.Pet exposure during the first year of life and increasing number of siblings were both associated with a lower prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma in school children.
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