The prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in Korean children: Nationwide cross-sectional survey using complex sampling design

Abstract

To investigate the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema, we did a cross-sectional survey of 4,003 children aged 6-7 years (students in the 1st year of elementary school) and 4,112 students aged 13-14 years (students in the 1st year of middle school), chosen from a random sample of 45 primary and 40 middle schools across the nation. The Korean-translated modified version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was used in this survey. The weighted 12-month prevalence of asthma symptoms from the questionnaires was 10.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.2 to 11.4) for children aged 6-7 years and 8.3% (95% CI, 7.4 to 9.2) for children aged 13-14 years. The weighted 12-month prevalence of allergic rhinoconjuctivitis symptoms was 18.9% (95% CI, 17.5 to 20.4) for children aged 6-7 years and 19.2% (95% CI, 17.9 to 20.6) for children aged 13-14 years. The weighted 12-month prevalence of eczema symptoms was 17.9% (95% CI, 16.6 to 19.3) for children aged 6-7 years and 11.2% (95% CI, 10.1 to 12.3) for children aged 13-14 years. Compared with results from a 2000 ISAAC study, the 12-month prevalence of asthma increased from 5.8% to 10.3% in children aged 6-7 years, but there was little change (from 8.7% to 8.3%) in children aged 13-14 years. The prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema has increased considerably in both age groups.