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Background/Objectives: Eczema is a common chronic debilitating skin condition in childhood. Data on the epidemiology and natural history of eczema across the life course are lacking. This analysis aimed to describe these epidemiological features in Australian children and adults. Methods: Data collected on eczema from four Australian cohort studies were analysed: namely HealthNuts, Melbourne Atopic Cohort Study (MACS), Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS) and the Australian arm of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). Results: Among children aged under 6 years, 28.8%–35.6% have ever‐had eczema, and 16.7%–26.6% had 'current eczema'. Among those aged 6–12 years, 14.6%–24.7% had 'current eczema' with 12.0%–18.5% of those at ages of 6 and 10 years classified as having moderate‐to‐severe eczema according to the Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index. In adults, the prevalence of 'eczema ever' ranged between 13.8% and 48.4%. The 12‐month period prevalence of eczema was 15.1% at age 18, while current eczema was 8.5% at an average age of 51, and 8.8% at an average age 53 years. Eczema was more common among young boys, but this difference became non‐significant for older children and early adolescents. In contrast, eczema was more common for adult women than men. Conclusions: Eczema is common both in children and adults. The proportion of severe eczema in children was substantial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the most common forms of interstitial lung diseases. While studies have been conducted in other countries to determine the epidemiological burden of IPF, there is limited information in Australia. Our study aimed to address this gap and generate the first estimates for the mortality, incidence and prevalence of IPF in Australia. Methods: Estimates were generated by utilizing the novel Mortality Incidence Analysis Model (MIAMOD) method and software based on the illness–death model. Data inputs included population estimates and mortality data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for the period 1997–2015 and participant data from the Australian IPF Registry (AIPFR). Projections were estimated for a 10‐year period up to 2025. Results: Overall crude and age‐standardized estimates for mortality were 5.9 and 6.3 per 100,000 population; incidence, 10.4 and 11.2 per 100,000 population; and prevalence, 32.6 and 35.1 per 100,000 population. Crude and age‐standardized mortality, incidence and prevalence increased over the study period; however, they demonstrated a decreasing trend over the projected period. Persons older than 70 years constituted 9% of the population; however, they accounted for approximately 82%–83% of all deaths, incident and prevalent cases. All estimates were higher in males than in females. Conclusion: Our study provides the first estimates for incidence, prevalence and mortality of IPF in Australia. By reporting national estimates for IPF, our study addresses an information gap important for policy, planning and to help optimize the allocation of resources for the management of patients with IPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is little Australian epidemiologic data on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF), a relatively uncommon but devastating disease. The vast geographic distances in Australia have been a major impediment for collaborative research into IPF. A collaborative national effort, the Australian IPF Registry, has been formed, launched and is recruiting successfully ( n = 359, January 2014). Our experience provides unique insights for others wishing to set up IPF registries and in time for a global IPF registry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study conducted to evaluate risk of asthma associated with occupational exposures in a population based cohort. The study includes analyzing asthma in a population using Cox proportional hazards regression. It is concluded that there is a significant association between cumulative occupational exposure to latex and new onset asthma.