Trends in prevalence of symptoms of asthma, hay fever, and eczema in 12-14 year olds in the British Isles, 1995-2002: questionnaire survey

Abstract
In 1995, as part of the international study of asthma and allergies in childhood (ISAAC), we surveyed symptoms of atopic disease in England, Scotland, Wales, and the offshore islands of Guernsey, Isle of Man, and Jersey.4 5 A self completed questionnaire which adhered to the core ISAAC protocol was administered to secondary school children aged 12-14 in school years 8 and 9 (S2 and S3 in Scotland). In 2002 the survey was repeated in Scotland, Wales, and the islands in the same school years, using the same questionnaire and procedures in the same period of the year and, mostly, in the same schools. In England, only the schools in the South East Region were surveyed a second time. The table shows the changes in prevalence over the seven years from 1995 to 2002.