Background: In epidemiological studies, questionnaire data are often used to determine atopic status of participants. When children are study subjects, the information on atopic status is provided by the parents. However, there does not appear to be a literature on the predictive value of a parent's report of allergies. To address this issue, questionnaire data regarding a child's allergy status need to be compared with objective data such as skin prick tests or specific IgE. In addition to obtaining both questionnaire and objective data, the temporal sequence is important for calculating predictive value.

Because of its prospective design, the ALSPAC cohort is ideal for addressing this question. Mothers were asked about their study child's specific allergies at ages 54 months and 81 months. At age 7 years, children attended Focus @7, which included skin prick testing.

Variables related to allergies and allergy symptoms will be used from earlier questionnaires (i.e., 54 months and 81 months) and compared with results of skin prick testing at age 7 years for children who attended the allergy clinic. Wheal size will also be considered. Predictive values of mother's responses at the 54 month and 81 month questionnaires will be calculated. Other variables that may influence a mother's report of child's allergic status will be considered, including mother's self-report of allergy and asthma, paternal allergy and asthma, mother's report of child's asthma, and child's history of wheezing and eczema at younger ages.

Again, I will not need to obtain any variables. All necessary variables were included in the dataset obtained for a project which will be submitted for publication by the end of December, 2007.