Allergies in Germany -- prevalence and perception by the public
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Allergies in Germany -- prevalence and perception by the public. / Augustin, Matthias; Franzke, Nadine; Beikert, Florian C; Stadler, Rudolf; Reusch, Michael; Schmitt, Jochen; Schäfer, Ines.
In: J DTSCH DERMATOL GES, Vol. 11, No. 6, 01.06.2013, p. 514-20.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Allergies in Germany -- prevalence and perception by the public
AU - Augustin, Matthias
AU - Franzke, Nadine
AU - Beikert, Florian C
AU - Stadler, Rudolf
AU - Reusch, Michael
AU - Schmitt, Jochen
AU - Schäfer, Ines
N1 - © The Authors • Journal compilation © Blackwell Verlag GmbH, Berlin.
PY - 2013/6/1
Y1 - 2013/6/1
N2 - BACKGROUND: During the recent decades allergies have become more frequent all over the world. However, it is unclear how important the topic of allergies is for the general German population and how appropriately patients with allergies are treated.PATIENTS AND METHODS: A telephone survey was performed on a representative random sample of n = 1,004 adults in Germany. The survey was performed by the Forsa Institute for Social Research and Statistical Analysis, Berlin, Germany, in the period from 31 January to 2 February 2012.RESULTS: Of the interviewees 52% responded that the topic of allergies concerned them; in 33% actually an allergy had been diagnosed by a physician. The proportion of allergies in the population correlated with the level of school education and was higher among people with a higher educational status. No differences in allergy rates were found between Eastern and Western Germany. Among allergic persons, 53% reported to be burdened by their allergy, 48% suffered from impaired performance because of their allergic symptoms. Among people suffering from pollen allergy, only 28% received sublingual immune therapy, with which 70% were satisfied. While 58% practiced self-medication, only 21% of the allergic persons were treated with anti-allergic drugs during their allergy flares.CONCLUSIONS: Allergic diseases are a common, often burdensome problem in the German population, but nevertheless the medical treatment of people affected is still insufficient. The proportion of patients receiving sublingual immune therapy as causal treatment is comparatively low. Active steps are needed to improve the utilization behavior of patients, e. g. to take advice of an allergy specialist.
AB - BACKGROUND: During the recent decades allergies have become more frequent all over the world. However, it is unclear how important the topic of allergies is for the general German population and how appropriately patients with allergies are treated.PATIENTS AND METHODS: A telephone survey was performed on a representative random sample of n = 1,004 adults in Germany. The survey was performed by the Forsa Institute for Social Research and Statistical Analysis, Berlin, Germany, in the period from 31 January to 2 February 2012.RESULTS: Of the interviewees 52% responded that the topic of allergies concerned them; in 33% actually an allergy had been diagnosed by a physician. The proportion of allergies in the population correlated with the level of school education and was higher among people with a higher educational status. No differences in allergy rates were found between Eastern and Western Germany. Among allergic persons, 53% reported to be burdened by their allergy, 48% suffered from impaired performance because of their allergic symptoms. Among people suffering from pollen allergy, only 28% received sublingual immune therapy, with which 70% were satisfied. While 58% practiced self-medication, only 21% of the allergic persons were treated with anti-allergic drugs during their allergy flares.CONCLUSIONS: Allergic diseases are a common, often burdensome problem in the German population, but nevertheless the medical treatment of people affected is still insufficient. The proportion of patients receiving sublingual immune therapy as causal treatment is comparatively low. Active steps are needed to improve the utilization behavior of patients, e. g. to take advice of an allergy specialist.
KW - Adolescent
KW - Adult
KW - Age Distribution
KW - Aged
KW - Aged, 80 and over
KW - Anti-Allergic Agents
KW - Attitude to Health
KW - Educational Status
KW - Female
KW - Germany
KW - Humans
KW - Hypersensitivity
KW - Immunosuppressive Agents
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Patient Satisfaction
KW - Prevalence
KW - Public Opinion
KW - Sex Distribution
KW - Treatment Outcome
KW - Utilization Review
KW - Young Adult
U2 - 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2012.08049.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2012.08049.x
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 23464816
VL - 11
SP - 514
EP - 520
JO - J DTSCH DERMATOL GES
JF - J DTSCH DERMATOL GES
SN - 1610-0379
IS - 6
ER -