[Incidence of pollinosis in Switzerland. Results of a representative demographic survey with consideration of other allergic disorders].

In a survey carried out between January and April 1985 covering all of Switzerland except the Canton of Ticino and including 2524 males and females (49% and 51% respectively) aged 15 to 74 years, the subjects were interviewed regarding pollinosis symptoms during the pollen season of 1984 and in previous years, and questioned about other allergic symptoms. Individuals with pollinosis or with family members suffering from pollinosis received an additional questionnaire. This first extraterritorial survey of Switzerland showed that every tenth Swiss aged 15 or over suffers from hay fever (incidence 9.6%). In addition, 3% had suffered from pollinosis previously. In the 15-24 age group the incidence was 16%. It fell with advancing age and was only 4.2% in the over-60 age group. No statistically significant differences were found between incidences in town (9%) and country (10%) and between the sexes. Hay fever morbidity in individuals with higher education (14.5%) and in certain occupations (student, apprentice - 21%) and among job levels "manager, senior civil servant, senior employee" (13.8%) was higher than in other categories. This representative survey confirmed that in Switzerland hay fever is commoner than in 1926 and 1958. The symptoms of pollen allergy are known: symptoms predominate in May (53%) and June (62%) including rhinitis in 94%, conjunctivitis in 82% and asthma in 24%. In 11% pollen allergy was already manifest in the first four years of life, in 62% before puberty and in 80% before the age of 20.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)