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Objective: To analyse the relationship between obesity and overweight and the prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitization, and the impact of gender and place of residence. Design: Questionnaire based on those used in ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) and ECRHS (European Community Respiratory Health Survey). Setting: Our study involved populations of the eight largest cities and one rural region in Poland (each with over 150 000 inhabitants). Subjects: The study included 18 617 participants (24·2 % aged 6-7 years, 25·4 % aged 13-14 years, 50·4 % adults aged 20-44 years) in eight cities and one rural area. The out-patient study involved 4783 patients (25·7 %); we performed skin prick testing with fifteen aeroallergens. Results: Overweight was found in 16·13 % of participants (9·11 % of 6-7-year-olds, 4·90 % of 13-14-year-olds and 25·61 % of adults), obesity in 6·41 % (7·16 %, 2·45 % and 8·36 %, respectively). In adults, overweight (OR = 1·34) and obesity (OR = 1·80) increased the prevalence of asthma, especially in women (OR = 1·53, OR = 2·01). Among 13-14-year-olds the prevalence was higher only in the obese (OR = 1·76). Overweight (OR = 1·99) and obesity (OR = 2·17) affected the incidence of doctordiagnosed asthma in 6-7-year-olds. Overweight (OR = 0·81) and obesity (OR = 0·76) reduced the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in men. There was no relationship between BMI and asthma in people from rural areas. Obesity and overweight did not affect the frequency of sensitization to aeroallergens. Conclusions: Overweight and obesity increased the prevalence of symptomatic asthma in adults, especially in women. In 13-14-year-olds, only obesity increased the prevalence of asthma. In children, overweight was associated with increased prevalence of clinically diagnosed and declared asthma and a trend towards atopy. Higher BMI was negatively associated with the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in overweight and obese man. There was no correlation between BMI and sensitization to aeroallergens.

The leading priority for the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union was to reduce health inequalities across European societies, and, within its framework, prevention and control of respiratory diseases in children. This very important paper contain proposal of international cooperation on the prevention, early detection and monitoring of asthma and allergic diseases in childhood which will be undertaken by the EU member countries as a result of EU conclusion developed during the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This will result in collaboration in the field of chronic diseases, particularly respiratory diseases, together with the activity of the network of national institutions and NGOs in this area. Paper also contains extensive analysis of the socio-economic, political, epidemiological, technological and medical factors affecting the prevention and control of childhood asthma and allergy presented during Experts presidential conference organized in Warsaw-Ossa 21–22 September 2011.

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.

BackgroundLinks between multimorbidity of allergic diseases and allergen sensitization are still under debate, especially in adults. This study aimed to establish a relationship between polysensitization and allergic multimorbidity in children and adults and the allergens involved in multimorbidity.Material and methodA cross-sectional multicentre study enrolled children aged 6–7 and 13–14 years and adults aged 20–44 years from a Polish national cohort. The diagnosis of allergic diseases was made by a physician. Skin prick tests to 13 allergens and serum IgE levels to 4 allergens were tested.ResultsAmong the 3856 participants, single disease (asthma, allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis) was diagnosed in 27.7% subjects and allergic multimorbidity in 9.3%. Allergic multimorbidity occurred more commonly in children than in adults (p < 0.01). Asthma or atopic dermatitis alone were not associated with polysensitization. Rhinitis and multimorbidity were associated with polysensitization. Allergic multimorbidity occurred in 2.2% of participants with negative skin prick tests, 9.8% of those with one positive prick test (SPT ≥ 3 mm) and 20.6% of polysensitized ones (p < 0.001). There was an increasing risk of multimorbidity depending on the number of positive prick tests for both SPT ≥ 3 mm (OR 9.6–16.5) and SPT ≥ 6 mm (OR 5.9–13.7). A statistically significant relationship was found between allergic multimorbidity and sensitization to cat and mite allergens.ConclusionsMultimorbidity is associated with polysensitization especially in children compared with adults in Polish population cohort. New insights into single disease patterns were found: bronchial asthma is the strongest risk factor for the development of multimorbidity in comparison with allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13601-019-0246-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background FLG null variants of which 2282del4 and R501X are the most frequent in Caucasians are established risk factors for atopic dermatitis (AD) with an effect probably mediated through impairment of epidermal barrier. Among subjects with AD FLG defects are also consistently associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) but it is less clear to what extent these associations are also present independently from skin disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of 2282del4 and R501X in predisposing to these allergic phenotypes in a Polish population.Methodology2282del4 and R501X were typed among 3,802 participants of the Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases in Poland (ECAP) survey, a cross-sectional population-based study using ECRHS II and ISAAC questionnaires, and ambulatory examination.Principal FindingsThe FLG null variants were associated with AD (OR = 2.01, CI: 1.20–3.36, P = 0.007), allergic rhinitis (in particular persistent form, OR = 1.69, CI:1.12–2.54, P = 0.011), and asthma (in particular atopic asthma, OR = 2.22, CI:1.24–3.96, P = 0.006). Association with atopic asthma (but not persistent allergic rhinitis) was also present in the absence of AD, (OR = 2.02, CI: 1.07–3.81, P = 0.027) as well as in the absence of AD and history of broadly defined inflammatory skin disease (OR = 2.30, CI: 1.07–4.93, P = 0.03). Association to atopic asthma would have not been found if diagnosis was made by questionnaire only (OR = 1.15, CI: 0.58–2.32, P = 0.8). We did not observe an association between FLG variants and allergic sensitizations (P = 0.8) or total IgE. (P = 0.6).Conclusions/SignificanceIn a Polish population FLG 2282del4 and R501X carriage increases risk for development of AD and atopic asthma (also in the absence of AD or history thereof). This suggests that interventions aimed at restoring epidermal barrier may have a general role in asthma prophylaxis/treatment.

IntroductionGlobal epidemiological studies have revealed considerable geographical differences in prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD).AimTo present the epidemiology of AD, risk factors and co-occurrence of allergic diseases in the Polish population.Material and methodsThe 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.ResultsAtopic 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.ConclusionsAtopic 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.

Epidemiological studies (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood [ISAAC], The European Community Respiratory Health Survey [ECRHS]) revealed considerable geographical differences in prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of our study is to present the epidemiology and the risk factors of AD in a Polish population. A total of 18,617 subjects were selected. The sample included respondents in eight cities and one rural area each over 150,000 citizens. The study had two parts: (i) questionnaire survey conducted among all respondents (response rate, 64.4%); and (ii) allergological examination performed among 25.7% with skin prick test (SPT) with 15 aeroallergens. AD was identified in 3.91% of subjects, more often in females, living in the cities, with a mother and/or father with atopy and with a higher education and higher economic status. Comorbidities of AD were atopic rhinitis (AR) in 26.17% and AR and asthma in 14.6%. AD was diagnosed by allergologists in 311 subjects (6.5%). Positive SPT occurred in 66.9% persons with AD (house dust mite, 33.1%; grasses/crop plants, 30.6%). Of the patients, 9.5% with perennial versus 9.3% seasonal and 9.6% with polyvalent versus 9.0% monovalent sensitization had AD. AD prevalence in Poland is below the mean rate for Europe, but risk factor profile is similar to other countries. AD is more frequent in female, well-educated individuals, of high socioeconomic status, with atopic parents and who live in a city. Seasonal and monovalent atopy play a more essential role in subjects with AD compared with AR and asthma.