CHANGING PREVALENCE OF ATOPIC ECZEMA AMONG TAIWANESE ADOLESCENTS: TWO SURVEYS SIX YEARS APART

Abstract

ISEE-399 Introduction: The prevalence of childhood atopic eczema has recently been reported as increasing in many countries. Its changing pattern has not been fully explained. This study compared the prevalence of atopic eczema among Taiwanese adolescents with individual-level risk factors to determine whether changes in these factors could explain the observed change in prevalence. Methods: We conducted two nation-wide, cross-sectional surveys of atopic illness and symptoms in Taiwanese middle-school students in 1995-6 and 2001. The effects of personal and environmental factors were assessed and compared with prevalence change of atopic eczema. Results: A total of 44,104 children from the 1995-6 survey and 11,738 children from the 2001 survey were investigated from 22 middle schools in Taiwan. Lifetime prevalences of physician-diagnosed atopic eczema increased during this period (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.79, 95% CI 1.56∼2.05 in boys and adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.82, 95% CI 1.58∼2.09 in girls). After adjustment for potential risk factors, the prevalence odds ratios (2001 versus 1995-6) were statistically unchanged. Although parental education level contributed most, changes in listed personal and environmental factors might not explain the observed changes in prevalence of atopic eczema. Conclusion: Correlates of the listed individual-level factors which have changed over time still underlie changes in prevalence of atopic eczema. Some other reasons might contribute more for the rising trends of atopic eczema in Taiwanese adolescents.