The prevalence of asthma and allergies in Singapore; data from two ISAAC surveys seven years apart

Wang, Xiao Shan; Tan, Teng Nging; Shek, Lynette Pei‐Chi; Chng, Seo Yi; Hia, C P P; Ong, Natalie; Ma, Siying; Lee, B W; Goh, Daniel Y T

doi:10.1136/adc.2003.031112

Cited by 89 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…The endotoxin levels were found to be significantly higher in rural Thailand than in urban Singapore. Though data on the atopic prevalence in the Thepa district has yet to be published, other studies provide evidence that the rates of allergic diseases in infants is higher in the more urbanized regions of South East Asia [4,5,6]. Our results show similar differences between urban and rural regions to those described by Riedler et al [7], which demonstrated higher endotoxin levels in farming environments.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

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Endotoxin Levels in Rural Thai and Urban Singaporean Homes

Lee¹,

Sangsupawanich

et al. 2006

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

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Background: Exposure to dust endotoxin and allergens in early childhood may influence the development of allergic diseases. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate dust endotoxin and dust mite allergens in urban Singapore and rural Thai homes of young children and study potential environmental influences. Methods: Mattress dust endotoxin and Der p 1, Der f 1, group 2 (Der f 2 and Der p 2) and Blo t 5 allergen levels were quantified in 101 infant mattress dust samples, 51 from urban Singapore and 50 from rural Thailand. Comprehensive questionnaires on the home environment and cleaning practices were completed. Results: Endotoxin levels in rural Thailand were significantly higher than in urban Singapore (geometric mean 26,334.12 ± 4.60 and 18,377.85 ± 2.52 endotoxin units/g, respectively; p = 0.032). In contrast, higher levels of Der f 1 (p = 0.02), group 2 (p < 0.01) and Blo t 5 (p < 0.01) allergens were found in Singapore homes compared with rural Thai homes. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the use of detergents (p = 0.001) and disinfectants (p = 0.024) to clean floors and mattress protectors (p = 0.021) were independently associated with lower endotoxin levels. Conclusion: Endotoxin levels are higher in rural compared with urban homes in South East Asia. The reverse was true for dust mite allergen levels. Certain identifiable home environmental conditions and practices accounted for the differences in endotoxin levels.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

“…A similar observation has been made in urban communities compared with rural communities of ethnically identical societies [2, 3]. Again, in South East Asia, the prevalence of atopic diseases remains low in rural areas, such as Chiang Mai in Thailand, compared with urbanized metropolises such as Bangkok and Singapore [4,5,6]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Endotoxin Levels in Rural Thai and Urban Singaporean Homes

Lee¹,

Sangsupawanich

et al. 2006

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

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“…Our survey used telephone interviews in 11 cities across Mainland China and the response rate was 63.7%, which was close to the rate in the Israeli population (58.5%) [23] obtained using a similar methodology of a telephone questionnaire [20, 21]. In the ISAAC survey conducted in Singapore in 1994 and 2001, which used written questionnaires to collect data, the response rates were 90% in 1994 and 91% in 2001 [24], whereas rates were as low as 47–57% in New Zealand, depending on the mode of data collection [25]. Thus, the response rate observed in the current study was within the expected range, although inevitably there could be some selection bias.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Self-Reported Allergic Rhinitis in Eleven Major Cities in China

Zhang

Han

Huang

et al. 2008

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

136

142

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Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disease and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. Data on the current prevalence of AR in China, one of the biggest countries in the world, with a population of around 1.3 billion citizens, are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of self-reported AR in Chinese citizens. Methods: In a cross-sectional, population-based study, telephone interviews were conducted in 11 major cities in China after sampling target telephone numbers through the approach of random digital dialing. The questions for the telephone interviews were based on validated questionnaires. Results: A total of 38,203 telephone interviews were conducted from September 2004 to May 2005. The response rate was 63.7%. After adjustment for age and gender, the self-reported prevalence of AR was lowest in Beijing (8.7%) and highest in Urumqi (24.1%). Among the subjects with self-reported AR, 25.6% were diagnosed with persistent AR and 74.4% suffered from intermittent AR. Less than half of the subjects with self-reported AR had presented at a health clinic. In 37.3% AR had previously been diagnosed by physicians, and 33.1% of subjects with self-reported AR had been treated. Comorbidities reported were asthma (9.2%), rhinosinusitis (13.3%) and atopic dermatitis (16.4%). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the self-reported prevalence of AR in 11 cities across Mainland China has wide variations, ranging from <10% to >20%; 26% of the self-reported AR subjects were classified as suffering from persistent AR.

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“…It has been observed that a family history of atopic disease constitutes an important factor in the genetic background. Environmental factors have been thought to be important in determining the subsequent development of asthma [24]. One of the most important extrinsic factors that influence children's health is passive smoking [25][26][27].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the prevalence of atopic diseases by ISAAC surveys in the primary school children of Sivas

Çelik¹

2012

CMJ

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Aim. During the past few decades, The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaires have shown that the prevalence of childhood asthma and allergy is increasing worldwide. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the change in prevalence and risk factors of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema from two ISAAC questionnaire based surveys conducted on two groups of schoolchildren in Sivas, a central Anatolian city, during the years 1997 and 2005. Methods. The study populations of the two comparable cross-sectional surveys were comprised of schoolchildren aged 6-14. The sample size in 1997 and 2005 were 569 and 2978 children, respectively. Results. This study showed that the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema increased significantly from 9.7 % to 11.8%, 5.4% to 10.2%, and 3% to 10.1%, respectively. Risk factor analysis revealed that living with a dog or cat, body mass index (BMI), and family history of atopy were associated with higher risk of asthma (p<0.05). Conclusion. In the 8-year period from 1997 to 2005, the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema has increased significantly in our region. Further studies with larger number of patients are required to investigate the factors causing this increased local rate.

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The prevalence of asthma and allergies in Singapore; data from two ISAAC surveys seven years apart

Cited by 89 publications

References 22 publications

Endotoxin Levels in Rural Thai and Urban Singaporean Homes

Endotoxin Levels in Rural Thai and Urban Singaporean Homes

Prevalence of Self-Reported Allergic Rhinitis in Eleven Major Cities in China

Evaluation of the prevalence of atopic diseases by ISAAC surveys in the primary school children of Sivas

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