Allergic rhinitis and allergic sensitiza- tion - Prevalence and trends in Germany

Heinrich, J. und Thamm, R. (2021): Allergic rhinitis and allergic sensitiza- tion - Prevalence and trends in Germany. In: Allergologie, Bd. 44, Nr. 12: S. 907-914

Abstract

Aim: This overview describes epidemiological data on the frequency and trends of allergic rhinitis and allergic sensitization in Germany over the last 10 - 15 years. Methods: Based on the electronic databases PubMed and Google Scholar as well as web based reports of the Robert Koch Institute, epidemiological studies on allergic rhinitis, hay fever, and allergic sensitization representative of the German general population were searched. Results: Currently, the reported lifetime prevalence of hay fever in children and adolescents in Germany is 11.0%. The prevalence of allergic sensitization to a mix of eight common aeroallergens is 37.1%. For adults, the lifetime prevalence of physician diagnosed hay fever is 14.8%. The frequency of sensitization to eight aeroallergens is 33.6%. Over the last 10 - 15 years, no increases in the prevalence of hay fever and allergic sensitization to inhalant allergens have been observed among children and adolescents. The current data situation does not allow a reliable assessment of the trend in adults. Conclusions: Hay fever is widespread in Germany, but prevalence has not further increased among children and adolescents. However, this should not be misunderstood as an all-clear.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Fakultät: Medizin
• Themengebiete: 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
• ISSN: 0344-5062
• Sprache: Englisch