Ahmed A, et al. - This inquiry was set up to gain insight into the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema and allergies among Canadian Inuit children, especially those living in the arctic and subarctic areas. Data showed that among different ethnicities living at the same subarctic environment, prevalence and risk factors of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema varied. These variations could be associated with genetic, gene-environment interaction and/or lifestyle factors in these populations.

• Researchers carried out a cross-sectional study among Grade 1 students attending schools in Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, during the 2015/2016 school year.
• They used the International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Children questionnaire with added questions relevant to the population.
• They performed skin prick tests to test for sensitization to common food and environmental allergens.

• Researchers reported 15.9% (> 2:1 males) prevalence of current asthma, with the highest prevalence among those with any non-Inuit heritage at 38.5%.
• They noted that the prevalence of current and past allergic rhinitis was 6.8%, with predominance observed among males and lowest prevalence among the mixed ethnicity.
• An inverse association of home crowdedness with past asthma was noted.
• Findings demonstrated that being ever outside Nunavut was related to higher prevalence of current and past asthma.
• During the first 4 months of life, no statistically significant association was noted with passive smoking or exclusive breast feeding.
• Results revealed that the current eczema prevalence was 20.5%, with the highest prevalence recorded among the Inuit at 25% compared to 15.4% among the mixed ethnicity and 14.3% among the non-Inuit.
• In addition, researchers noted a high rate of sensitization to cat at 26.7% while absent sensitization to other common inhalant allergens.