چکیده (انگلیسی):

Background: Genetic and environmental factors are known to be related to the development of childhood
eczema. Our aim was to assess the environmental factors associated with the prevalence of eczema
among children using a web-based survey.
Methods: In June 2012, we conducted a nation-wide web-based survey to identify the prevalence and
characteristics of allergic diseases among Japanese children. The prevalence of allergic diseases including
eczema was assessed using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood core questionnaire.
The associations between eczema prevalence and environmental factors, as well as those
between background characteristics and comorbid allergic diseases among 6e12 year old children were
assessed.
Results: A total of 28,348 children were included in the analysis. The prevalence of current eczema was
13.0%. Current eczema was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of wheeze, rhinitis, and food
allergy. In multiple logistic regression models, birth during autumn (aOR: 1.18 95%CI: 1.06e1.31) or
winter (aOR: 1.21 95%CI: 1.08e1.34), duration of exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months (aOR:
1.14 95%CI: 1.06e1.23), and ownership of a pet from infancy (aOR: 2.61 95%CI: 1.68e4.07) were also
associated with a higher prevalence of eczema. The prevalence was lower in those with a high annual
household income (aOR: 0.90 95%CI: 0.81e0.99) and 2 or more siblings (aOR: 0.86 95%CI: 0.76e0.97).
Conclusions: Duration of breastfeeding, season of birth, pet ownership, household income, and the
number of siblings were associated with the prevalence of childhood eczema in a nationwide web
survey.
Copyright © 2016, Japanese Society of Allergology.