Prevalence and risk factors of childhood allergic diseases in eight metropolitan cities in China: A multicenter study
2011

Childhood Allergic Diseases in China

Sample size: 23791 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Li Fei, Zhou Yingchun, Li Shenghui, Jiang Fan, Jin Xingming, Yan Chonghuai, Tian Ying, Zhang Yiwen, Tong Shilu, Shen Xiaoming

Primary Institution: Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine

Hypothesis

What are the patterns and risk factors of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema in children across eight metropolitan cities in China?

Conclusion

Childhood allergies in China show significant geographic variation, influenced by socio-environmental factors.

Supporting Evidence

  • The average prevalence of asthma was 3.3%, allergic rhinitis was 9.8%, and eczema was 5.5%.
  • Factors related to lifestyle, mental health, and socio-economic status were associated with childhood allergies.
  • Prevalence rates of allergic diseases were higher in more developed areas than in poorer areas.

Takeaway

This study looked at kids in eight big cities in China to see how many have allergies like asthma and what might cause them.

Methodology

A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a standard questionnaire among children aged 6-13 years in eight cities.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to reliance on parental reporting and the exclusion of rural populations.

Limitations

The study only included urban areas and did not account for some important allergic risk factors.

Participant Demographics

Children aged 6-13 years, with a majority from the Han ethnic group.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 3.1%, 3.6% for asthma; 95% CI: 9.4%, 10.2% for allergic rhinitis; 95% CI: 5.2%, 5.8% for eczema.

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2458-11-437

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