Increased healthcare utilisation among atopic children in a general practice database: a nested index-control study.

Background: Atopic eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis (AR) create a serious burden on general practice resources.

Aim: To investigate the use of general practice resources (that is, consultation visits, telephone contacts, and home visits) in children with physician-diagnosed atopic disorders (ADs).

Design & Setting: In a nested index-control study design, all children (here defined as individuals aged 2-18 years) listed in a representative general practice database were selected in 2014.