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Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Monday, 7 March 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 March 2011. It was answered by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 14 March 2011 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Hay Fever

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of (a) males and (b) females with hay fever in each age group in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
Answer

The Department has made no such estimates. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is thought to affect about 10% of the United Kingdom population although the true prevalence may be higher. An analysis of the available epidemiological information, published with the Department's review of services for allergy in July 2006, estimated that the rates of general practitioner (GP) consultation for males and females by age group in 2004 were as in the following table. These figures will however understate the number of people suffering from hay fever, since many people with this condition do not consult a doctor.

Proportion of patients consulting a GP for allergic rhinitis at some point during 2004 (rates per 10,000)
Age standardised rate (95% CI) All ages <1 1-4 5-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65-74 75+
Male 152 (147-158) 152 5 112 308 241 143 86 84 77
Female 171 (165-177) 173 0 73 224 305 214 121 89 70

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
45657; 525 c78W
Session
2010-12
Registered interest declared
Yes
Subjects
Hay fever
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk