Allergies in UK among highest prevalence in the world costing £1bn annually

Main Category: Allergy
Article Date: 14 Apr 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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According to new research published today, allergies in the UK are costing the NHS £1 billion annually. The prevalence of allergies such as asthma, hay fever, eczema and many others are among the highest in the world.

According to experts, UK doctors (GPs) are unable to cope with the growing demand for treatment. They say that the provision of allergy care in the UK should be reviewed.

The new research took place at the University of Edinburgh, the University of Aberdeen and St. George's Medical School, London (all in UK).

They found that 20% of the country's population has an allergy.

During the second half of the last century the prevalence of allergies, especially asthma, hay fever and eczema rose significantly. Experts say that numbers have recently been levelling off.

Other forms of asthma, however, are rising fast. These include food and drug allergies, nettle rash and some others.

The researchers found that patients are not satisfied with the current treatment they are getting on the NHS. In fact, many have become frustrated and have turned to alternative therapists such as herbalists and homeopathic practitioners.

Co-author of the report, Professor Aziz Sheikh, Professor of Primary Care Research and Development, University of Edinburgh said "Allergic disorders are responsible for an estimated eight percent of GP consultations. Lack of training of GPs in meeting this role, difficulties in accessing allergy testing and the shortage of allergy specialists are all seen to be possible barriers to high quality care and many explain why increasing numbers of patients are seeking care outside the NHS."

You can read about this report in this month's issue of Clinical and Experimental Allergy.

Professor Sheikh said this £1 billion NHS bill did not take many other costs into account (these costs must be added to the one billion):

-- Work and school days lost

-- OTC purchases (OTC = Over the counter medicines, non-prescription medicines)

-- Alternative Therapists

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