[Prevalence rate of allergic diseases among school children in Okinawa]

The prevalence rate of allergic diseases among 10137 elementary school children in Okinawa was studied by questionnaire. The results are as follows: (1) The prevalence rate of allergic diseases was 23.8%. (2) The prevalence rates of bronchial asthma and its remission were 5.0% and 2.1% respectively. (3) There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence rates of bronchial asthma and its remission between any grade. (4) There were at least one smoker in 58.8% of family with asthmatic children. (5) There were positive family histories of bronchial asthma among 45% of family with asthmatic children. (6) The prevalence rats of allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis were 12.9% and 9.5% respectively. Nishima et al. have reported that the prevalence rate and its remission of bronchial asthma was 4.6% and 1.6% respectively. And they also have reported that the prevalence rate of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis was 15.9% and 17.3%. Prevalence rate of allergic diseases in elementary school children in Okinawa was somewhat different from that from other study in Japan. Because about 25% of children have allergic diseases in Okinawa, it would be very important to comprehend the children with allergic diseases for adequate control and management.