Bronchial asthma in hay fever

The author diagnosed cough, emphysema and the symptoms characteristic for the bronchial asthma in 43% of patients with seasonal allergy (rhinitis, conjunctivitis) to pollens. Such symptoms were more frequent (51% of cases) in patients allergic to the grass pollens with coexisting hypersensitivity to Compositae family. Asthmatic symptoms in patients allergic only to grass pollens were seen in 38%. The author suggests that prolonged exposition in the inhalatory allergens (from two to four-five months) plays an important role in asthma onset in such patients. It rather delays than accelerates admittance to allergic clinics.     

Prevalence of antibody to poliovirus in England and Wales 1984-6.

Serum from 995 subjects aged 6 months to 99 years was screened at a dilution of 1/8 for neutralising antibodies to poliovirus. Of these samples, 975 (98%) contained antibody to at least one serotype, and 763 (77%) contained antibody to all three, an improvement since previous studies. Children aged 8 to 15, however, had a low prevalence of antibody to poliovirus type 3, with only four (40%) of those aged 12 protected. This finding is possibly due to the waning of antibodies induced by the type 3 component of oral poliovirus vaccine and emphasises the continued importance of a booster dose of vaccine for those leaving school.     

Seasonal variation and time trends in childhood asthma in England and Wales 1975-81.

In England and Wales hospital admissions for childhood asthma almost trebled over the period 1975-81. This may have reflected a true increase in the incidence of acute asthma, a swing from primary to hospital care, or both. The trend was not due to a change in diagnostic fashion. Monthly admissions showed a pronounced seasonal variation with fewest admissions in winter, rising in spring and early summer to peak in the autumn. A deep admission trough was present in August. The monthly admission profile was very similar throughout England and Wales, suggesting that major "trigger" factors were responsible.     

Seasonal variation and time trends of deaths from asthma in England and Wales 1960-82.

Monthly trends in deaths attributed to asthma in the 5-34 year age group were examined for England and Wales over the period 1960-82. Deaths were most frequent in the third quarter (July to September) and peaked in August. Analysis of the 1970-82 period showed that this variation was present in the three constituent age groups 5-14, 15-24, and 25-34 but was most pronounced in the 5-14 year olds.