Prevalence trends and risk factors for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis,
asthma and eczema in the UK
Abstract
Background: Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC), asthma and
eczema carry a substantial morbidity. These conditions often co-exist
within the same individual and prevalence can differ based on age,
ethnicity and gender. Objectives: Using a UK primary care
database, we estimated the trends in prevalence over the last decade for
ARC, asthma and eczema and associated risk factors. Methods:
Longitudinal cohort analysis of the health improvement (THIN) database
between 1 st Jan 2010 and 1 st Jan
2019. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore risk factors for
diagnosis of these conditions. Results: An average of 4.17
million records per year were analysed, 19.4% were children and 49.75%
were male. There was an increase in prevalence of ARC, asthma and eczema
amongst adults during the study period, whereas ARC and asthma
prevalence amongst children has fallen. By 2018, 1:8 adults and 1:14
children had ARC; asthma was diagnosed in 1:7 adults and 1:10 children
whereas eczema was diagnosed in 1:6 adults and 1:4 children
respectively. Ethnicity and gender modify the risk of being diagnosed
with these conditions. Having other allergies substantially increases
the odds of having asthma, eczema and ARC. Conclusion: The
population burden of ARC, asthma and eczema in the UK is substantial.
These conditions are often associated with other allergies and can,
therefore, be complex to manage. These data support calls for
improvement of pathways of care for allergy patients in the UK.