The increase in allergic conditions based on a review of literature.

The global interest in allergic disease epidemiology in the 20th and 21st centuries is a result of their growing prevalence of unprecedented, pandemic proportions. According to the 2011 White Book on Allergy, the prevalence of allergic conditions rises dramatically worldwide, both in developed and developing countries, with the rates of asthma ranging from 1% to 20%, allergic rhinitis from 1% to 18%, and skin allergies from 2% to 10% in various populations. The growing prevalence of allergies is particularly noticeable in children, who have been affected most by this trend for the last two decades.

Prevalence of rhinitis in Polish population according to the ECAP (Epidemiology of Allergic Disorders in Poland) study.

UNLABELLED: The prevalence of allergic disorders, especially allergic rhinitis (AR), has dramatically increased in the past few decades and multicentre, standardized, randomized epidemiological studies are required to quantify this phenomenon in Poland. AIM: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of rhinitis and allergic rhinitis in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The ECAP study was conducted using the ECRHS II and ISAAC questionnaires translated into the Polish language and validated, in selected nine regions of Poland, including eight cities and one rural area. The respondents within the regions were selected by means of multistage proportional stratified random sampling based on the identity number (PESEL) as the operat. The survey was conducted in 20,454 subjects (response rate of 41.9%) and 18,617 questionnaires were valid. Approximately 25% of the subjects (n=4783) were subsequently evaluated by clinicians (response rate of 43.4%). RESULTS: Rhinitis was self-reported by 36.08% of the respondents (37.8% of 6- 7-year-olds, 34.5% of 13- 14-year-olds, and 36.0% of adults). The lowest prevalence rate was in the rural region (22.9%). Allergic rhinitis (AR) was self-reported by 22.54% of the respondents (23.6% of 6- 7-year-olds, 24.6% of 13- 14-year-olds, and 21.0% of adults). Again, the lowest prevalence rate was in the rural region (16.0%). AR was more frequent in males (24.0%) than in females (21.2%) (OR = 1.079; 95% CI: 1.044-1.116). AR was actually diagnosed by a clinician in 28.9%, including intermittent AR in 47.7% and persistent AR in 52.3%. Seasonal AR was diagnosed in 15.55%, and perennial rhinitis in 15.2%. CONCLUSION: Allergic rhinitis is common in Poland as it affects nearly 25% of the population and it is a major social problem. Standards of early detection and prevention of allergic rhinitis should be introduced.