The burden of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema in children and adolescents in six New Zealand centres: ISAAC Phase One

Aim. To describe the burden of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema in children in six New Zealand centres. Methods. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase One was undertaken in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch during 1992-1993. In each centre, approximately 3000 six to seven year old children and 3000 thirteen to fourteen year old adolescents were studied, a total of 37 592 participants. Both age groups answered written questionnaires and the adolescents a video questionnaire about asthma symptoms. Results. The prevalences of symptoms were high, for asthma 25% and 30%, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis 10% and 19%, and atopic eczema 15% and 13% in each age group respectively. More than 40% of participants bad symptoms in the last year of at least one condition, most commonly asthma. There were-no significant differences among regions, except for six, to seven year olds in Nelson who-had significantly lower prevalences: of some symptoms of:asthma-and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Conclusions. Asthma and allergies are common In New Zealand, with resultant morbidity and cost. However, there is little regional variation with the exception of lover rates in Nelson children. Explanations for these findings will be the subject of further studies.