ABSTRACT
The prevalence of atopic dermatitis has significantly increased in developed countries during the past several decades. Surveys performed in Hungary also show a growing number of atopic dermatitis (AD) cases, although, a carefully designed case-controlled studies have not been performed. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of AD in individuals under 19 years of age within the agricultural area of East-Hungary. Combined data obtained with Schultz-Larsen questionnaire on 1158 children were analyzed, and 25% of the index persons were examined by dermatologist. The mean prevalence of AD determined by questionnaires appeared to be 17.5% in the entire study population. Result of dermatological examination verified the validity and sensitivity of the questionnaire. A negative correlation was found between the severity of the disease and the length of breast feeding period. (Spearman's correlation coefficient = - 0.2247, p = 0.034). The prevalence of AD in an East-Hungarian agricultural area is nearly as high as that reported for populations residing in industrially developed countries, with a higher prevalence during childhood. Data suggest that premature abruption of breast feeding maybe one of the major factors among other environmental factors that is contributing to the development of AD.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Atopic/epidemiology , Rural Population , Adolescent , Breast Feeding/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dermatitis, Atopic/immunology , Humans , Hungary/epidemiology , Infant , Prevalence , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The importance of bacterial, viral and fungal diseases has significantly increased during the past decades. The reasons are numerous, but the most important ones are as follows: appearance of new variance of microbes, appearance and spread of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains, and increasing number of patients with various degree of immunodeficiency. For such reasons we consider extremely important to overview and upgrade our current knowledge and practice regarding to these diseases. This manuscript will discuss the hottest practical questions of dermato-infectology.
