Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Evaluation of Effectiveness for an Atopy Prevention Program Operated by a Local Government

지방자치단체 중심의 아토피 예방관리 프로그램 효과 평가

  • Seo, SungChul (The environmental health center for asthma, Korea University Medical Center) ;
  • Cho, YongMin (The environmental health center for asthma, Korea University Medical Center) ;
  • Ryu, SeungHun (The environmental health center for asthma, Korea University Medical Center) ;
  • Lee, Seung Kil (The environmental health center for asthma, Korea University Medical Center) ;
  • Lee, Ji Yeon (Department of public health service, Gyeonggi Province Medical Center) ;
  • Choung, Ji Tae (Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University)
  • 서성철 (고려대학교병원 천식환경보건센터) ;
  • 조용민 (고려대학교병원 천식환경보건센터) ;
  • 류승훈 (고려대학교병원 천식환경보건센터) ;
  • 이승길 (고려대학교병원 천식환경보건센터) ;
  • 이지연 (경기도의료원) ;
  • 정지태 (고려대학교 의과대학 소아청소년과)
  • Received : 2013.05.11
  • Accepted : 2013.07.19
  • Published : 2013.08.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Objectives: We evaluated the effects of an allergy control program on children with atopic dermatitis (AD) in five schools located within Gyeonggi-do. Methods: Based on the results of the 12-month prevalence of AD symptoms from an International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire of all students (n=2109; 1040 boys, 1069 girls) at five randomly selected schools, 227 students with AD symptoms were screened. Finally, 188 students with greater than 1 on SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) determined by a physician were selected. The allergy control program includes education related to allergic diseases, skin prick tests, and SCORAD evaluation, as well as keeping a daily journal to check the usage of moisturizer at least once a day. To determine the effectiveness of the allergy control program, SCORAD evaluation was performed again six weeks later. Results: The most common symptom for 12-month prevalence was rhinorrhea (33.9%), followed by atopic skin lesions (14.8%) and wheezing (4.0%). The 12-month prevalences of the three allergic diseases were higher for boys than for girls, and a significant difference was found for allergic rhinitis (P<0.001). The mean SCORAD index decreased significantly from 26.1 to 17.5 after the completion of the six-week control program (P<0.01). In particular, these differences were more pronounced for the group which used the daily journal (P<0.001). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the allergy control program including usage of a daily journal as well as regular monitoring could be a promising tool for preventing and alleviating the symptoms of allergic diseases.

Keywords

References

  1. Shea KM, Truckner RT, Weber RW, Peden DB. Climate change and allergic disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008; 122(3): 443-453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2008.06.032
  2. Lee IS, Moon JS. Dwelling environment of bronchial asthma patients and the amount of house dust mite allergens. J Korean Public Health Assoc. 2002; 28(2): 188-197.
  3. Jee HM, Kim KW, Kim CS, Sohn MH, Shin DC, Kim KE. Prevalence of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in Korean children using the international study of asthma and allergies in childhood (ISAAC) Questionnaires. Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis. 2009; 19(2): 165-172.
  4. Zheng T, Yu J, Oh MH, Zhu Z. The atopic march: progression from atopic dermatitis to allergic rhinitis and asthma. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2011; 3(2): 67-73. https://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2011.3.2.67
  5. Korean Statistical Information Service. Population census (2010). Available: http://kosis.kr/abroad/abroad_01List.jsp?parentId=A#jsClick [accessed 15 May 2013].
  6. Gyeonggi Research Institute (GRI). A Basic Concept for Assistance the Atopy Cluster in Gyeonggido. Suwon: GRI Press; 2010. p.194-195.
  7. Choi SW, Ju YS, Kim DS, Kim JY, Kwon HJ, Kang DH, et al. Reliability and validity of the Korean version of ISAAC questionnaire. Korean J Prev Med. 1998; 31(3): 361-371.
  8. Stalder JF, Taieb A. Severity scoring of atopic dermatitis: the SCORAD index. Dermatology. 1993; 186(1): 23-31. https://doi.org/10.1159/000247298
  9. Son KY, Park KS, Hwang HH, Yun BS, Lee SJ, Kim MA, et al. Prevalence of allergic diseases among primary school children in Ilsan, Gyeonggi and changes of symptoms after environmental control in 2005. Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis. 2007; 17(4): 384-393.
  10. Yoon JK, Sim CS, Choi SW, Oh IB, Lee JH, Kim Y. Prevalence of atopic and allergic disorders in children attending an elementary school in Ulsan. Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011; 31(2): 105-115.
  11. Lee JH, Kim EH, Cho JB, Kim HY, Suh JM, Ahn KM, et al. Comparison of prevalence and risk factors of atopic dermatitis by physical examination and questionnaire survey in elementary school children. Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis. 2011; 21(3): 186-196 https://doi.org/10.7581/pard.2011.21.3.186
  12. Lee HS, Lee J, Hong SC, Kim JW, Kim SY, Lee KH. Prevalence and risk factors for allergic diseases of preschool children living in Seogwipo, Jeju, Korea. Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012; 32(2): 107-114.
  13. Hong SJ, Ahn KM, Lee SY, Kim KE. The prevalences of asthma and allergic diseases in Korean children. Korean J Pediatr. 2008; 51(4): 343-350. https://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2008.51.4.343
  14. Jeong KY, Park JW, Hong CS. House dust mite allergy in Korea: the most important inhalant allergen in current and future. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2012; 4(6): 313-325. https://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2012.4.6.313
  15. Kim S, Park D, Byun H, Lee H, Oh I, Sim C, et al. House dust mites and associated environmental factors in homes of atopic children: a case-control study. J Environ Health Sci. 2012; 38(3): 204-212.
  16. Kim JH, Choi SY, Lee IY, Lee YW, Yong TS, Kim CW, et al. Seasonal variation of house dust mite and its influence on the inhabitant health. Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006; 26(1): 27-34.
  17. Ahn K. Education effect of camp program for atopic dermatitis. Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis. 2012; 22(2): 127-128. https://doi.org/10.7581/pard.2012.22.2.127
  18. Yu J. Allergic march: progression from atopic dermatitis to asthma. Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012; 32(3): 137-143.
  19. Zahran HS, Person CJ, Bailey C, Moorman JE. Predictors of asthma self-management education among children and adults-2006-2007 behavioral risk factor surveillance system asthma call-back survey. J Asthma. 2012; 49(1): 98-106. https://doi.org/10.3109/02770903.2011.644012
  20. To T, Wang C, Dell SD, Fleming-Carroll B, Parkin P, Scolnik D, et al. Can an evidence-based guideline reminder card improve asthma management in the emergency department?. Respir Medicine. 2010; 104(9): 1263-1270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2010.03.028
  21. Ricci G, Dondi A, Patrizi A. Useful tools for the management of atopic dermatitis. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2009; 10(5): 287-300. https://doi.org/10.2165/11310760-000000000-00000
  22. Boguniewicz M, Eichenfield LF, Hultsch T. Current management of atopic dermatitis and interruption of the atopic march. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003; 112(6): S140-S150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2003.09.031
  23. Yoo Y, Lee SM, Seo SC, Choung JT, Lee SJ, Park SJ, et al. The clinical and immunological effects of forest camp on childhood environmental diseases. J Korean Institu Forest Recreation. 2011; 15(2): 85-93.
  24. Seo SC, Dong SH, Kang IS, Yeun KN, Choung JT, Yoo Y, et al. The clinical effects of forest camp on children with atopic dermatitis. J Korean Institu Forest Recreation. 2012; 16(3): 21-31.