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Summary In the first phase of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, a large difference in occurrence of asthma symptoms was seen between children in Albania and the UK. We did skin-prick tests with various allergens and measured peak expiratory flow rate in about 1000 children from each country. A large difference in the proportion of exercise-induced bronchial reactivity was evident between children from Albania and the UK (0·8% vs 5·4%, respectively). However, the frequency of allergic sensitisation was closely similar (15·0% vs 17·8%, respectively). These results suggest that large geographical variations in asthma prevalence can arise without differences in frequency of atopy.

An epidemiological survey was conducted in Coventry to estimate the nutritional status of the elderly, including Asian immigrants. The data collected included height, weight, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm circumference, dental state, haemoglobin and red-blood-cell values, serum-vitamin-B 12 , serum and red-blood-cell folate, and serum ascorbic acid, protein, calcium, and cholesterol. The only evidence which indicated impaired nutrition was low levels of serum vitamin-B 12 , folate, and ascorbic acid in the Asian subjects. These subjects, however, did not have low haemoglobin levels.

A cross-over controlled trial has been conducted among 32 adult patients with mite-sensitive asthma. The bedclothes and pillows of each subject were laundered and vacuum-cleaned and a plastic cover applied to the mattress for six weeks in an attempt to reduce exposure to mites. No improvement in daily peak-flow reading or drug usage was found in comparison with a control period.