Increasing prevalence of hay fever and atopy among children in Leipzig, East Germany

Background Several surveys in children and adults have shown significantly lower prevalences of asthma and allergic diseases in eastern Europe than in western countries. In the former East Germany tremendous changes towards western lifestyle have occurred since unification. The aim of this survey was to investigate time trends in the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases among children living in the eastern part of Germany. Methods In 1995–96, 2334 (87•5%) schoolchildren in Leipzig participated in a cross-sectional study that used the same methods as a previous survey done shortly after the fall of communism in 1991–92. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the parents. Children underwent cold-air challenge and allergy skinprick tests to six common aeroallergens. Findings The prevalence of hay fever (2•3% [34/1454] vs 5•1% [115/2252], p<0•0001) and atopic sensitisation (19•3% [252/1303] vs 26•7% [434/1624], p<0•0001) increased significantly between 1991–92 and 1995–96. However, there was no significant change in the prevalence of asthma, asthma-related symptoms, or bronchial hyper-responsiveness. Interpretation These findings suggest important differences in the development of atopic disorders. The children were born about 3 years before unification and were therefore exposed to western living conditions only after the third birthday. Thus, factors operating very early in life may be particularly important for the acquisition of childhood asthma, whereas the development of atopic sensitisation and hay fever may also be affected by environmental factors occurring beyond infancy.