Asthma and allergies in schoolchildren: data from the European SINPHONIE study

Abstract

<sec><title>BACKGROUND</title>Asthma and allergies are the most frequent chronic diseases among children. We have assessed the prevalence of asthma and allergies in European schoolchildren who participated in the SINPHONIE (Schools Indoor Pollution and Health-Observatory Network in Europe) project, accounting for geographical differences.</sec><sec><title>METHODS</title>We analysed questionnaires from parents and guardians of 4,899 schoolchildren aged 6-14 from 54 cities in 23 European countries in 2011-2012. Logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted prevalence rates of symptoms/diseases and associations among symptoms/diseases and geographical clusters (Northern Europe [NE] as reference).</sec><sec><title>RESULTS</title>Higher odd ratios (ORs) were found for eczema in Western Europe (WE) (OR 1.4) and Central-Eastern Europe (CEE) (OR 1.4); and dry cough at night in WE (OR 1.6), CEE (OR 1.7) and Southern Europe (SE) (OR 2.6). Lower ORs were observed for eczema in SE (OR 0.8), allergic rhinitis in WE (OR 0.6), cat/dog hypersensitivity/allergy in WE (OR 0.4), CEE (OR 0.6) and SE (OR 0.5); pollen hypersensitivity/allergy in WE (OR 0.6); asthma in CEE (OR 0.7); any drug for asthma in WE (OR 0.6), CEE (OR 0.7) and SE (OR 0.7); wheezing/whistling in WE (OR 0.6); cough on most days in WE (OR 0.5) and SE (OR 0.6); phlegm on most days in WE (OR 0.5); sneezing/runny/blocked nose in WE (OR 0.8).</sec><sec><title>CONCLUSIONS</title>The frequency of asthma/allergies in European children varies widely geographically. This variability should be considered for preventive purposes.</sec>.