The effect of season-of-response to ISAAC questions about asthma, rhinitis and eczema in children

Abstract

Background. To examine whether responses to questions about the lifetime prevalence and 12-month period prevalence of symptoms of asthma and allergies are affected by the season in which the questions are asked. Methods. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase One was undertaken in six New Zealand centres; in three centres the effect of season was studied. Over three school terms at least 3000 children were studied in each of two age groups per centre (6-7 years; 13-14 years), one-third in each term respectively. The ISAAC standardized written questionnaires were used to identify asthma, rhinitis and eczema symptoms. The written questionnaire in the younger..