[Occurrence of asthma and non-infectious rhinitis in Denmark]

Population surveys of asthma have shown total asthma prevalence rates of 3.8 (2-5) and 3.2 (3-4) in 1978-1979 and 1987. These figures do not fit with the general statements of an increased asthma prevalence during recent decades. Hospitalization has increased from 1 per 1,000 to 1.6 per 1,000 inhabitants from 1979 to 1987. The annual mortality from asthma has doubled during the last ten years, and is now 3 per 100,000 inhabitants. All epidemiological data about asthma are blurred because of uncertain definitions of asthma. Allergic and vasomotor rhinitis occurs among 10 per cent of the adult population and seems to be recorded by 50 per cent more in 1987 than in 1978-1979, especially among the younger population. Also in rhinitis diagnostic criteria seem to vary in a way that makes estimates of variation over a longer period of time uncertain.