Περίληψη:
Background: The prevalence of childhood asthma and allergies in Cyprus
was significantly higher in urban compared to rural areas back in the
year 2000, against a background of an overall low prevalence (e. g.
current wheeze 6.9%) by comparison to northern European countries. In
this study we aimed to assess temporal changes in the prevalence of
asthma and allergies in Cyprus after an 8-year interval and to examine
whether any differential changes have occurred in urban and rural parts
of the island.
Methods: During the academic years 1999-2000 and 2007-2008, the parents
of 7-8 year old children residing in the same set of urban and rural
areas completed the ISAAC core questionnaire. In addition to providing
prevalence estimates of allergic diseases in 2000 and 2008, changes
between the two periods were expressed as odds ratios estimated in
multiple logistic regression models adjusting for survey participants’
characteristics.
Results: The prevalence of current wheeze was higher in 2008 (8.7%,
95% confidence interval 7.5%-9.9%, n = 2216) than the previously
recorded figure in 2000 (6.9%, 95% CI 6.2%-7.6%, OR = 1.25, 95% CI:
1.02-1.53, n = 4944). Significant increases were also seen in the
prevalence of lifetime asthma (11.3% vs. 17.4%, OR = 1.59, CI:
1.36-1.86), eczema (6.8% vs. 13.5%, OR = 1.91, CI: 1.59-2.29) and
allergic rhinoconjuctivitis (2.6% vs. 5.2%, OR = 1.82, CI: 1.39-2.41).
The prevalence of current wheeze nearly doubled between 2000 and 2008 in
rural areas (5.4% vs. 9.7%, OR 1.81, CI: 1.24-2.64) while no
significant change was observed in urban areas (7.5% vs. 8.4%, OR
1.08, CI: 0.84-1.37); p value for effect modification = 0.04. Rises in
asthma and rhinitis prevalence, but not eczema were also more pronounced
in rural compared to urban areas.
Conclusions: The prevalence of allergic diseases in Cyprus is still on
the rise; recent increases appear more pronounced among children living
in rural areas possibly indicating recent environmental and lifestyle
changes in these communities
Συγγραφείς:
Kolokotroni, Ourania
Middleton, Nicos
Nicolaou, Nicolas and
Pipis, Spyros
Priftis, Kostas N.
Milton, Donald K. and
Yiallouros, Panayiotis K.
