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ISAAC international study of asthma and allergies in childhood
Author(s) -
Asher Innes
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.20525
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , citation , family medicine , pediatrics , allergy , steering committee , library science , engineering management , computer science , engineering , immunology
Despite considerable research efforts, the aetiology of childhood asthma and allergic disease remains poorly understood. Moreover, there is evidence that atopic diseases are on the increase in western countries in recent decades. Epidemiology has the potential to add greatly to our understanding by elucidating risk factors for the development of disease. However, lack of standardisation in case-definition and methodology has so far limited the full potential of epidemiologic studies for temporal and spatial comparisons. ISAAC, the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, was founded to maximise the value of epidemiological research into asthma and allergic disease by establishing a standardised methodology and facilitating international collaboration (1, 2). Its specific aims are: 1. Describe the prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in children living in different centres and to make comparisons within and between countries. 2. Obtain baseline measures for assessment of future trends in the prevalence and severity of these diseases. 3. Provide a framework for further aetiological research into genetic, lifestyle, environmental and medical care factors affecting these diseases.