Patterns of sensitization to inhalant and food allergens - findings from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: To assess the prevalence of allergic sensitization and to analyze patterns of sensitization to common inhalant and food allergens in a nationwide representative sample of children and adolescents in Germany. METHODS: Data were collected from 2003 to 2006 within the KiGGS, the national Health Interview and Examination Survey covering a representative sample of 17,641 children and adolescents in Germany. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to 20 specific allergens (11 inhalant and 9 food allergens) were quantitatively measured in a subsample of 12,988 KiGGS participants aged 3-17 years using the ImmunoCAP system. Serum concentrations ≥0.35 kU/l indicate sensitized participants. An exploratory factor analysis was performed in order to identify sensitization patterns. RESULTS: Sensitization to at least 1 of the 20 tested allergens was detected in 40.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 39.0-41.4] of the participants. The highest sensitization prevalences were found for pollen from Timothy grass (22.7%; 21.5-23.9) and rye (21.2%; 20.0-22.4). Sensitization was more prevalent in boys than in girls and prevalence increased generally with increasing age. We identified seven sensitization groups, namely (in descending order of magnitude) 'Timothy grass/rye', 'house-dust mites', 'food/mugwort', 'birch/apple', 'animals', 'cow's milk/egg white' and 'moulds'. CONCLUSIONS: Allergic sensitization is common in German children and adolescents. The fact that sensitization potentially leads to clinically relevant allergic diseases stresses the public health relevance of this topic. Whether the grouping reflects the propensity for persons to be sensitized to multiple allergens within a group, or whether it is due to IgE cross-reactivity between different allergens of similar structure is still being discussed.

Prevalence and risk factors of atopic diseases in German children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Atopic diseases became an important health problem in affluent Western societies. METHODS: To study the prevalence and factors associated with the risk of atopic diseases in Germany, data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) were analysed (n = 17,450). Standardized, computer-assisted personal interviews with parents and parent-administered questionnaires provided physician diagnoses of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis and asthma as well as data on demographic characteristics, migration background, birth order, age at the beginning of nursery, atopic diseases of parents, parents' smoking status, parents' occupation, breastfeeding and living environment. RESULTS: The life-time prevalence of atopic dermatitis was 13.2% (95% confidence limit: 12.5-13.9%), 10.7% (10.1-11.3%) for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and 4.7% (4.3-5.1%) for asthma. At least one atopic disease in parents was the strongest factor associated with atopic diseases in the offspring, with a prevalence ratio of up to 2.6. High and middle socio-economic status (prevalence ratio, 95% confidence limit: 1.28, 1.12-1.46; 1.15, 1.01-1.32) were associated with the risk of atopic dermatitis, whereas a two-sided background of migration reduced the risk (0.76, 0.65-0.88). Factors that reduced the risk of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were parents working as self-employed farmers (0.48, 0.30-0.76) and older siblings (0.80, 0.71-0.89), whereas the beginning of nursery school at older age was associated with an increased risk in children who were cared for outside the family before school age (1.05, 1.00-1.10). Living in mould-infested rooms (1.64, 1.23-2.19), an urban living environment (1.20, 1.02-1.42) and a smoking mother and/or father (1.20, 1.02-1.40) were associated with the risk of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are in line with the so-called 'hygiene hypothesis', which emphasizes the role of environmental factors in addition to a genetic predisposition in the development of atopic diseases. Research on factors associated with atopic diseases can facilitate decisions on preventive strategies. Further studies are needed to explore trends in prevalence and risk factors for atopic diseases.

12-Month prevalence of allergies in Germany.

The prevalence of allergies has increased dramatically during recent decades, and thus, got into the focus of public health. As part of the 2014 German Health Update (GEDA 2014/2015-EHIS), 28.1% of respondents reported that they were affected by an allergic disease other than asthma. Reports of allergies are more common among women than men and among younger and middle-aged adults than people over the age of 65. Adults with higher levels of education stated more frequently that they are affected by allergies than adults with lower levels of education. Allergic reactions occur in various organ systems, but the skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract and the intestines are most commonly affected. As allergic reactions often significantly restrict people's quality of life, early diagnosis and appropriate care for sufferers is essential.

Follow-up of children and adolescents with special health care needs: Results from the KiGGS study 2003-2012.

The incidence of chronic diseases in children has risen sharply throughout the world. Regardless of the particular diagnosis, chronically ill children and their families are faced with particular challenges. The transition to adulthood leads to changes in the conditions in which care is provided and the responsibilities that are associated with it. In this paper we used KiGGS cohort data to investigate the odds that chronically ill children and adolescents have of no longer feeling chronically ill or facing health impairments in young adulthood. Furthermore, it investigates the factors that are associated with an unfavourable transition from childhood into young adulthood. The analysis employs a data subgroup sourced from the first two waves of the KiGGS cohort - the longitudinal component of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) conducted by the Robert Koch Institute. The population-based KiGGS baseline survey was carried out between 2003 and 2006 as an examination and interview survey of 17,641 children and adolescents aged between 0 and 17. KiGGS Wave 1 - its first follow-up - was conducted between 2009 and 2012 via telephone. The KiGGS baseline survey used the German translation of the Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) screener as part of the written questionnaire provided to parents. This formed part of a generic approach towards identifying chronically ill children that applies irrespective of the diagnosis in question. KiGGS Wave 1 used a generic query to gather data on chronic illnesses using two questions taken from the Minimal European Health Module (MEHM); by this stage, the participants had reached adulthood. The information provided by 3,243 KiGGS cohort participants (who were aged between 18 and 24 at the time of KiGGS Wave 1) was analysed for indications of the presence or absence of a chronic disease among children and adolescents aged between 12 and 17. This was done using data gathered using the CSHCN screener between 2003 and 2006. Six years after the KiGGS baseline survey, half of the 509 participants who had screened positive (50.6%; 95% CI 44.4-56.8) stated that they were still chronically ill or faced health impairments. In contrast, one fifth of the participants who had provided no evidence of a chronic illness at the time of the KiGGS baseline survey (21.1%; 18.9-23.4) stated that they were now chronically ill or faced health impairments. Adolescents with a chronic illness reported being chronically ill in young adulthood more frequently than younger children (OR 1.8; 1.02-3.3). Bronchial asthma among 12- to 17-year-olds who had screened positive is associated with a reporting of chronic illness or health restrictions in later life (OR 3.5; 1.6-7.6). Regardless of age, obesity, the presence of asthma or an ADHD diagnosis, chronically ill boys who report pain, and chronically ill children from families with a low socio-economic status and few personal resources (personal protective factors), are at particular risk of a chronic illness in young adulthood.

Vaccinations in the first year of life and risk of atopic disease - Results from the KiGGS study.

BACKGROUND: The study focused on the question of whether and - if so - to what direction and extent immunisations in the 1st year may be associated with the risk of being diagnosed with atopic diseases after the 1st year of life. METHODS: Data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS, 2003-2006) were analysed. For analyses of potential associations between vaccination status and risk of hay fever, atopic dermatitis or asthma, sample sizes of 15254, 14297, and 15262, respectively, were available. RESULTS: Children with a sufficient TDPHiHeP vaccination at the end of the 1st year of life had a lower risk of being diagnosed with hay fever after the 1st year of life (adjusted prevalence ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.76-0.96). Analyses for associations between TDPHiHeP vaccination and risk of atopic dermatitis or asthma, or between age at onset of vaccination or of the number of antigens vaccinated in the 1st year of life and risk of atopic disease failed to yield statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide no evidence that immunisations in the 1st year of life may increase the risk of atopic disease. If any association exists at all, our results may be interpreted as weakly supportive of the hypothesis that immunisations may slightly decrease the risk of atopy in later life.

Corrigendum: Health monitoring and health indicators in Europe.

[This corrects the article on p. 3-21 in vol. 2.].

Health monitoring and health indicators in Europe.

Demographic change, new health threats and inequalities in health and healthcare provision in and between European Union (EU) member states pose a great challenge to European health care systems. Not only for these reasons does it make sense to collect comparable European health data. Such information provides insights on the distribution of risk and protection factors, the prevalence of chronic diseases and the levels of care provided in the member states and supports the planning and implementation of (health) policy measures. Since 2013, in the context of the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS), all EU member states are obliged to collect data on the health status, the provision of healthcare, health determinants and socio-economic conditions of their populations. In Germany, the EHIS is integrated into health monitoring at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). The RKI is thus Germany's interface to the European health monitoring presented here. European health monitoring relies on different indicator systems such as the European Core Health Indicators (ECHI), EU social indicators and the health indicators of the European Sustainable Development Strategy. These are based on administrative and survey data, which stem for example from the EHIS or the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) survey. Comparative data analyses must take into account the differences between health care systems, socioeconomic conditions and the age structures of societies. Variances in the prevalence of allergies for example are also due to differences in the available diagnostic tools. Significant differences in the prevalence of hypertension in Europe (with a range of 20% for women and 17% for men) are also related to different levels of awareness of hypertension. Comparative analyses can support the planning of and provide information for policy measures, and enhance the sharing of experiences between EU member states. A forthcoming EU regulation aims to harmonise the content of and intervals between health and social statistical data collection. Moreover, plans exist to establish a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC), which is set to develop and institutionalise European health monitoring.

Lower Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Sensitization among Children and Adolescents with a Two-Sided Migrant Background.

In industrialized countries atopic diseases have been reported to be less likely in children and adolescents with a migrant background compared to non-migrants. This paper aimed at both examining and comparing prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis and allergic sensitization to specific IgE antibodies in children and adolescents with and without a migrant background. Using data of the population-based German Health Interview and Examination Survey for children and adolescents (KiGGS;n = 17,450; 0-17 years), lifetime and 12-month prevalence of atopic diseases and point prevalence of 20 common allergic sensitizations were investigated among migrants compared to non-migrants. Multiple regression models were used to estimate the association of atopic disease and allergic sensitization with migrant background. In multivariate analyses with substantial adjustment we found atopic dermatitis about one-third less often (OR 0.73, 0.57-0.93) in participants with a two-sided migrant background. Statistically significant associations between allergic sensitizations and a two-sided migrant background remained for birch (OR 0.73, 0.58-0.90), soybean (OR 0.72, 0.54-0.96), peanut (OR 0.69, 0.53-0.90), rice (OR 0.64, 0.48-0.87), potato (OR 0.64, 0.48-0.85), and horse dander (OR 0.58, 0.40-0.85). Environmental factors and living conditions might be responsible for the observed differences.

The prevalence of celiac disease in children and adolescents in Germany.

BACKGROUND: Untreated celiac disease is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Until now, no up-to-date figures have been available on the prevalence of celiac disease among children and adolescents in Germany, or on the percentage of undiagnosed cases. METHODS: To estimate the prevalence of celiac disease, serum samples obtained from 2003 to 2006 from participants in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) were studied for celiac disease-specific autoantibodies and total IgA. RESULTS: Of the 12 741 study participants aged 1 to 17 years (6546 boys, 6195 girls), 9 (0.07%) had a reported history of celiac disease. An elevated concentration of serum autoantibodies to tissue transglutaminase was found in 91 children with a normal IgA concentration and in 7 with IgA deficiency. The prevalence of undiagnosed celiac disease, based on positive autoantibody findings, was 0.8% (95% confidence interval 0.6-1.0%), and the overall prevalence of the disease was 0.9%. Seropositive children and adolescents had lower ferritin and red blood cell folate concentrations than seronegative ones; they also tended to be shorter and to weigh less as reflected by age- and sex-standardized z-scores. CONCLUSION: The 0.9% prevalence of celiac disease in Germany, as determined from a combination of serological findings and clinical histories, is similar to reported prevalences elsewhere in Europe and North America. Pediatricians, primary care physicians, internists, and other specialists should be aware of the broad spectrum of clinical manifestations of this disease. Children who have symptoms suggestive of celiac disease or belong to a group at risk for it should be tested for antibodies against tissue transglutaminase, as should symptomatic adults after the exclusion of other possible causes. It is not yet clear whether asymptomatic adults from high-risk groups should be tested.

Population-wide use of behavioural prevention and counselling programmes for lifestyle-related cardiovascular risk factors in Germany.

BACKGROUND: Behavioural prevention and counselling programmes for lifestyle-related cardiovascular risk factors are widely offered. However, their population-wide use is largely unexplored, particularly in high-risk persons with known CVD or diabetes. METHODS: Data were collected within GEDA 2009, a national health survey covering a representative sample of 21,262 adults in Germany. Standardised structured computer-assisted telephone interviews included self-reported physician-diagnosed coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, diabetes as well as height, weight, usual diet, physical activity, and the use of programmes for weight reduction, healthy diet and improvement of fitness or mobility in the last twelve months. RESULTS: The use of prevention measures was lowest for weight reduction (men 2.1%, women 3.5%), somewhat higher for healthy diet (men 3.2%, women 4.7%), and highest for improvement of fitness or mobility (men 8.6%, women 16.1%). Among individuals with the respective risk factor, programme participation was still low: 5.5% in obese men (women 7.2%) for weight reduction, 2.8% in men (women 3.7%) who did not eat fruit or vegetables daily for healthy diet, and 7.9% in physically inactive men (women 15.7%) for improvement of fitness or mobility. In the presence of known CVD or diabetes, participation increased inconsistently and only moderately. CONCLUSION: Our results show low participation in behavioural prevention measures for lifestyle-related risk factors even in individuals with known CVD or diabetes. Further studies should investigate knowledge about potential programme benefit, availability and reimbursement in both patients and health care providers.

Vaccination status and health in children and adolescents: findings of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS).

BACKGROUND: Whether unvaccinated children and adolescents differ from those vaccinated in terms of health is subject to some discussion. METHOD: We evaluated data on diseases that are preventable by vaccination, infectious and atopic diseases, and vaccinations received that had been collected between 2003 and 2006 in a representative sample of 17 641 subjects aged 0 to 17 years in the framework of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitssurvey, KiGGS). RESULTS: Evaluable data on vaccinations were available for 13 453 subjects aged 1-17 years from non-immigrant families. 0.7% of them (95% confidence interval: 0.5%-0.9%) were not vaccinated. The lifetime prevalence of diseases preventable by vaccination was markedly higher in unvaccinated than in vaccinated subjects. Unvaccinated children aged 1-5 years had a median number of 3.3 (2.1-4.6) infectious diseases in the past year, compared to 4.2 (4.1-4.4) in vaccinated children. Among 11- to 17-year-olds, the corresponding figures were 1.9 (1.0-2.8) (unvaccinated) versus 2.2 (2.1-2.3) (vaccinated). The lifetime prevalence of at least one atopic disease among 1- to 5-year-olds was 12.6% (5.0%-28.3%) in unvaccinated children and 15.0% (13.6%-16.4%) in vaccinated children. In older children, atopy was more common, but its prevalence was not found to depend on vaccination status: among 6- to 10-year-olds, the prevalence figures were 30.1% (12.9%-55.8%) for unvaccinated children versus 24.4% (22.8%-26.0%) for vaccinated children, and the corresponding figures for 11- to 17-year-olds were 20.3% (10.1%-36.6%) versus 29.9% (28.4%-31.5%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of allergic diseases and non-specific infections in children and adolescents was not found to depend on vaccination status.