Atopic dermatitis is a serious health problem in Poland. Epidemiology studies based on the ECAP study.

INTRODUCTION: Global epidemiological studies have revealed considerable geographical differences in prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD). AIM: To present the epidemiology of AD, risk factors and co-occurrence of allergic diseases in the Polish population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present paper is a part of the Epidemiology of Allergic Disorders in Poland study. We studied 22 703 participants by ECRHS/ISAAC questionnaire; 18 617 (53.8% female, 24.2% 6-7 y.o., 25.4% 13-14 y.o., 50.4% 20-44 y.o.) completed questionnaires were accepted. Four thousand seven hundred and eighty-three participants (25.7%) have undergone a medical examination. RESULTS: Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed in 3.91% (6-7 y.o. 5.34%, 13-14 y.o. 4.3%, adults 3.02%), more often in females (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 0.56-0.77), in the cities (OR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.61-3.09), in mothers (OR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.72-2.48) and fathers (OR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.61-2.49) with atopy, higher education (OR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.11-2.32) and economic status (OR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.04-1.74). The highest prevalence was found in Katowice (4.89%) and lowest in rural areas (1.9%). Coexisting AD and allergic rhinitis (AR) was found in 26.17%, AR and asthma in 9.09% and AD, AR and asthma in 14.6%. Atopic dermatitis was diagnosed by allergologists in 6.5% (6-7 y.o. 8.7%, 13-14 y.o. 9.0%, adults 3.6%). Most diagnoses were made in Poznan (16.76%) and smallest in rural area (3.67%). 78.8% of subjects were diagnosed with AD for the first time although they had earlier experienced its symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Atopic dermatitis prevalence in Poland is below the mean rate for Europe, but the risk factor profile is similar to other countries. Atopic dermatitis is more frequent in well-educated females with atopic parents and high socioeconomic status and who live in a city.

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.

Correlation between conjunctival provocation test results and conjunctival symptoms in pollinosis - preliminary report.

The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between the level of reactivity in conjunctival provocation test and conjunctival symptoms that develop during the pollination season in grass allergic patients. Conjunctival provocation test with grass pollen allergens was performed in 22 patients suffering from pollinosis. During grass pollination season all patients monitored their symptoms with Symptoms Score Cards. A parallel measurement of the level of grass pollen count was carried out on a daily basis by volumetric method. The mean grass pollen count which triggered the reaction in individual patients depended on the results of conjunctival provocation test. The lowest pollen count level was observed in cases of patients with positive conjunctival provocation test at low allergen extract concentration of 160 and 500 BU/ml, whereas the highest count in cases of 1,600 BU/ml. The difference between the results was found to be statistically significant. A threshold grass pollen concentration for conjunctival symptoms was established at the level of 22 grains/m (3). We conclude that the patients with pollinosis and high reactivity in conjunctival provocation test develop conjunctival symptoms earlier during grass pollination season than the patients who are characterised by lower reactivity during conjunctival provocation test.