Allergy and atopic diseases
Date: 27/06/2014
Over the course of their lives, more than 20% of children and 30% of adults will suffer from at least one allergic illness. In children, boys are more frequently affected than girls. In adults, this trend is reversed with women experiencing allergies more frequently than men (35% vs. 24%).
Allergies are associated with a significant loss of quality of life for those affected. Due to more frequent utilisation of the healthcare system, long-term medication and sick leaves, allergies cause high direct and indirect medical costs.
In Western countries, the frequency (prevalence) of allergic illnesses has significantly increased since the 1970s. In the last decade, it has stabilized at a high level. However, the prevalence of asthma, which is as an atopic disease, continues to rise.
Asthma and atopic diseases are therefore public health topics of high relevance.
Data from Health Monitoring studies
As part of the health monitoring programme, Robert Koch Institute continuously collects data on the most common allergic and atopic illnesses. These include bronchial asthma, hay fever, neurodermatitis, urticaria, contact eczema as well as food or insect venom allergies.
There are currently two health monitoring studies in which adults and children or adolescents are interviewed (DEGS for adults, KiGGS for children and adolescents or their parents by proxy). In addition to the information gained from theses interviews, data on sensitisation against common allergens is obtained by the laboratory.
Determining prevalence and analysing influencing factors
The collected data allows to determine the prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitisations in the general population. In addition, the correlations between allergies and the living conditions of those affected (i.e. socio-demographic factors as well as housing situation and environment) are examined. Known or suspected influencing factors such as premature birth, number of older siblings, growing up in a rural environment, breastfeeding, kindergarten or daycare attendance, etc. are also investigated.
In addition to that, statements on general medical care can be made. For example can the data from the health monitoring programme be used to determine how many of the people affected have had an allergy test or received specific immunotherapy.
Further information
RKI publications server edoc: Publications in the Journal of Health Monitoring
Research projects, publications and reports on the German website