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Prevalence and early‐life risk factors of school‐age allergic multimorbidity: The EuroPrevall‐iFAAM birth cohort
Author(s) -
Sigurdardottir Sigurveig T.,
Jonasson Kristjan,
Clausen Michael,
Lilja Bjornsdottir Kristin,
Sigurdardottir Sigridur Erla,
Roberts Graham,
Grimshaw Kate,
Papadopoulos Nikolaos G.,
Xepapadaki Paraskevi,
Fiandor Ana,
Quirce Santiago,
Sprikkelman Aline B.,
Hulshof Lies,
Kowalski Marek L.,
Kurowski Marcin,
Dubakiene Ruta,
Rudzeviciene Odilija,
Bellach Johanna,
Yürek Songül,
Reich Andreas,
Erhard Sina Maria,
Couch Philip,
Rivas Montserrat Fernandez,
van Ree Ronald,
Mills Clare,
Grabenhenrich Linus,
Beyer Kirsten,
Keil Thomas
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/all.14857
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , pediatrics , allergy , cohort , odds ratio , cohort study , population , family history , demography , immunology , environmental health , sociology
Background Coexistence of childhood asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis is higher than can be expected by chance, suggesting a common mechanism. Data on allergic multimorbidity from a pan‐European, population‐based birth cohort study have been lacking. This study compares the prevalence and early‐life risk factors of these diseases in European primary school children. Methods In the prospective multicentre observational EuroPrevall‐iFAAM birth cohort study, we used standardized questionnaires on sociodemographics, medical history, parental allergies and lifestyle, and environmental exposures at birth, 12 and 24 months. At primary school age, parents answered ISAAC‐based questions on current asthma, rhinitis and eczema. Allergic multimorbidity was defined as the coexistence of at least two of these. Results From 10,563 children recruited at birth in 8 study centres, we included data from 5,572 children (mean age 8.2 years; 51.8% boys). Prevalence estimates were as follows: asthma, 8.1%; allergic rhinitis, 13.3%; and eczema, 12.0%. Allergic multimorbidity was seen in 7.0% of the whole cohort, ranging from 1.2% (Athens, Greece) to 10.9% (Madrid, Spain). Risk factors for allergic multimorbidity, identified with AICc, included family‐allergy‐score, odds ratio (OR) 1.50 (95% CI 1.32–1.70) per standard deviation; early‐life allergy symptoms, OR 2.72 (2.34–3.16) for each symptom; and caesarean birth, OR 1.35 (1.04–1.76). Female gender, OR 0.72 (0.58–0.90); older siblings, OR 0.79 (0.63–0.99); and day care, OR 0.81 (0.63–1.06) were protective factors. Conclusion Allergic multimorbidity should be regarded as an important chronic childhood disease in Europe. Some of the associated early‐life factors are modifiable and may be considered for prevention strategies.