Table of Contents

Component Description

The allergy section (prefix AGQ) provides personal household interview data on common allergic diseases including hay fever, allergies and eczema. It also provides self-reported information on symptoms associated with those conditions and pet avoidance due to allergies or asthma. AGQ questionnaire data is an integral part of Allergy Component, collected during NHANES 2005-2006, which also included a laboratory analysis of household dust samples (ALDUST_D) and serum IGE antibodies (AL_IGE_D).

Eligible Sample

All survey participants aged 1 year and older were eligible.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

These questions were asked before the physical examination, in the home, using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing-CAPI (interviewer administered) system.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

The CAPI system is programmed with built-in consistency checks to reduce data entry errors. CAPI also uses online help screens to assist interviewers in defining key terms used in the questionnaire.

Data Processing and Editing

Frequency counts were checked, “skip” patterns were verified, and the reasonableness of responses to the questions was reviewed. Responses, of age 85 or older, to questions AGD020 (how old when first told had hay fever), AGD050 (how old when first told had allergies), and AGD170 (what age itchy rash first occurred) were collapsed into a single category, which was coded as '85'. This was done to be consistent with the coding for the age variable of the sample person in the demographics file. The onset of hay fever, allergies, or itchy rash less than 1 year of age was recoded as 1 year of age.

Analytic Notes

AGQ080A, AGQ080B, AGQ080C (kind of pet removed from home)
Responses to these questions were collected as “code all that apply”. A respondent could report more than one kind of pet and all responses were recorded.

AGQ110A, AGQ110B, AGQ110C, AGQ110D (In which season did this sneezing problem occur)
Responses to these questions were collected as “code all that apply”. A respondent could report more than one season and all responses were recorded.

The analysis of NHANES 2005-2006 allergy questionnaire data must be conducted using the key survey design variables, sample weights, and the basic demographic variables. Interview weights should be used if only questionnaire data are analyzed. However if AGQ data are merged with MEC examination data or laboratory data, the MEC examination weights should be used for analyses.
Please refer to the Analytic Guidelines for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues. The Analytic Guidelines are available on the NHANES website.

Related NHANES 2005-2006 Questionnaire Datasets:

Housing characteristics (HUQ) contains family questionnaire data on household characteristics such as the home having a mildew odor or musty smell, seeing cockroaches, having pets, and a history of the avoidance of pets due to allergies or asthma.

Medical Conditions (MCQ) contains personal questionnaire data on the doctor diagnosed asthma, current asthma attack, and the onset of asthma.

Respiratory Health and Disease (RDQ) contains personal questionnaire data on respiratory symptoms related to asthma and other pulmonary diseases.

Related NHANES 2005-2006 Laboratory Datasets:

The household dust laboratory data set (ALDUST_D) contains the measurements for specific allergens detected in the participant’s household dust samples.

The laboratory data set (AL_IGE_D) contains total serum IgE levels as well as specific IgE to common indoor, outdoor, and food allergens.

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:
SEQN
SAS Label:
Respondent sequence number
English Text:
Respondent sequence number.
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS

AGQ010 - Doctor told have hay fever

Variable Name:
AGQ010
SAS Label:
Doctor told have hay fever
English Text:
Has a doctor or other health professional ever told {you/SP} that {you have/SP s/he has} hay fever?
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 646 646
2 No 9157 9803 AGQ040
7 Refused 0 9803 AGQ040
9 Don't know 19 9822 AGQ040
. Missing 0 9822

AGD020 - Age when first had hay fever

Variable Name:
AGD020
SAS Label:
Age when first had hay fever
English Text:
How old {were you/was SP} when {you were/s/he was} first told {you/he/she} had hay fever?
English Instructions:
IF LESS THAN 1 YEAR, ENTER 1. ENTER AGE IN YEARS.
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 81 Range of Values 637 637
85 85 years or older 0 637
777 Refused 0 637
999 Don't know 9 646
. Missing 9176 9822

AGQ030 - Episode of hay fever in past 12 months

Variable Name:
AGQ030
SAS Label:
Episode of hay fever in past 12 months
English Text:
During the past 12 months, {have you/has SP} had an episode of hay fever?
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 381 381
2 No 262 643
7 Refused 0 643
9 Don't know 3 646
. Missing 9176 9822

AGQ040 - Doctor told have allergies

Variable Name:
AGQ040
SAS Label:
Doctor told have allergies
English Text:
Has a doctor or other health professional ever told {you/SP} that {you have/SP s/he has} allergies?
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2614 2614
2 No 7178 9792 AGQ070
7 Refused 0 9792 AGQ070
9 Don't know 30 9822 AGQ070
. Missing 0 9822

AGD050 - Age when first had allergies

Variable Name:
AGD050
SAS Label:
Age when first had allergies
English Text:
How old {were you/was SP} when {you were/s/he was} first told {you/he/she} had allergies?
English Instructions:
IF LESS THAN 1 YEAR, ENTER 1. ENTER AGE IN YEARS.
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 82 Range of Values 2572 2572
85 85 years or older 7 2579
777 Refused 0 2579
999 Don't know 34 2613
. Missing 7209 9822

AGQ060 - Allergy symptoms in past 12 months

Variable Name:
AGQ060
SAS Label:
Allergy symptoms in past 12 months
English Text:
During the past 12 months, {have you/has SP} had any allergy symptoms or an allergy attack?
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1704 1704
2 No 902 2606
7 Refused 0 2606
9 Don't know 8 2614
. Missing 7208 9822

AGQ070 - Removed animal from home due to allergy

Variable Name:
AGQ070
SAS Label:
Removed animal from home due to allergy
English Text:
In the last 12 months, {have you/has SP} removed a dog, cat or other small furry animal from {your/his/her} home because {you/SP} had allergies or asthma (az-ma)?
English Instructions:
CAPI INSTRUCTION: DISPLAY {HAS SP} AND {HIS/HER} IF PROXY INTERVIEW FOR SP < 16 YEARS OLD.
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 80 80
2 No 9742 9822 AGQ090
7 Refused 0 9822 AGQ090
9 Don't know 0 9822 AGQ090
. Missing 0 9822

AGQ080A - Kind of pet removed - dog

Variable Name:
AGQ080A
SAS Label:
Kind of pet removed - dog
English Text:
Which kind of pet was removed from {your/SP's} home?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY CAPI INSTRUCTION: DISPLAY {SP'S} IF PROXY INTERVIEW FOR SP < 16 YEARS OLD.
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Dog 38 38
7 Refused 0 38
9 Don't know 0 38
. Missing 9784 9822

AGQ080B - Kind of pet removed - cat

Variable Name:
AGQ080B
SAS Label:
Kind of pet removed - cat
English Text:
Which kind of pet was removed from {your/SP's} home?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY CAPI INSTRUCTION: DISPLAY {SP'S} IF PROXY INTERVIEW FOR SP < 16 YEARS OLD.
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
2 Cat 43 43
. Missing 9779 9822

AGQ080C - Kind of pet removed - small furry animal

Variable Name:
AGQ080C
SAS Label:
Kind of pet removed - small furry animal
English Text:
Which kind of pet was removed from {your/SP's} home?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY CAPI INSTRUCTION: DISPLAY {SP'S} IF PROXY INTERVIEW FOR SP < 16 YEARS OLD.
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
3 Small furry animal 6 6
. Missing 9816 9822

AGQ090 - Avoided pets because of allergies

Variable Name:
AGQ090
SAS Label:
Avoided pets because of allergies
English Text:
{Have you/Has SP} avoided bringing new pets into {your/his/her} home because {you/SP} had allergies or asthma (az-ma)?
English Instructions:
CAPI INSTRUCTION: DISPLAY {HAS SP} AND {HIS/HER} IF PROXY INTERVIEW FOR SP < 16 YEARS OLD.
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 534 534
2 No 9287 9821
7 Refused 0 9821
9 Don't know 1 9822
. Missing 0 9822

AGQ100 - Problem with sneezing in past 12 months

Variable Name:
AGQ100
SAS Label:
Problem with sneezing in past 12 months
English Text:
During the past 12 months, {have you/has SP} had a problem with sneezing, or a runny, or blocked nose when {you/s/he} did not have a cold or the flu?
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2676 2676
2 No 7142 9818 AGQ120
7 Refused 0 9818 AGQ120
9 Don't know 4 9822 AGQ120
. Missing 0 9822

AGQ110A - Sneezing occurred - in spring

Variable Name:
AGQ110A
SAS Label:
Sneezing occurred - in spring
English Text:
In which season did this nose problem occur?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Spring 1864 1864
7 Refused 0 1864
9 Don't know 23 1887
. Missing 7935 9822

AGQ110B - Sneezing occurred - in summer

Variable Name:
AGQ110B
SAS Label:
Sneezing occurred - in summer
English Text:
In which season did this nose problem occur?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
2 Summer 1221 1221
. Missing 8601 9822

AGQ110C - Sneezing occurred - in fall

Variable Name:
AGQ110C
SAS Label:
Sneezing occurred - in fall
English Text:
In which season did this nose problem occur?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
3 Fall 1345 1345
. Missing 8477 9822

AGQ110D - Sneezing occurred - in winter

Variable Name:
AGQ110D
SAS Label:
Sneezing occurred - in winter
English Text:
In which season did this nose problem occur?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
4 Winter 1139 1139
. Missing 8683 9822

AGQ120 - Doctor told have sinus infection

Variable Name:
AGQ120
SAS Label:
Doctor told have sinus infection
English Text:
During the past 12 months, did a doctor or other health professional tell {you/SP} that {you have/SP s/he has} a sinus infection?
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1100 1100
2 No 8700 9800
7 Refused 0 9800
9 Don't know 22 9822
. Missing 0 9822

AGQ130 - Ever had itchy rash at least 6 months

Variable Name:
AGQ130
SAS Label:
Ever had itchy rash at least 6 months
English Text:
{Have you/Has SP} ever had an itchy rash which was coming and going for at least 6 months?
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 877 877
2 No 8940 9817 AGQ180
7 Refused 0 9817 AGQ180
9 Don't know 5 9822 AGQ180
. Missing 0 9822

AGQ140 - Itchy rash at any time in past 12 months

Variable Name:
AGQ140
SAS Label:
Itchy rash at any time in past 12 months
English Text:
{Have you/Has SP} had this itchy rash at any time in the last 12 months?
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 710 710
2 No 167 877 AGQ160
7 Refused 0 877 AGQ160
9 Don't know 0 877 AGQ160
. Missing 8945 9822

AGQ150 - Rash cleared up completely

Variable Name:
AGQ150
SAS Label:
Rash cleared up completely
English Text:
Has this rash cleared up completely at any time during the last 12 months?
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 489 489
2 No 218 707
7 Refused 0 707
9 Don't know 3 710
. Missing 9112 9822

AGQ160 - Has rash affected places...

Variable Name:
AGQ160
SAS Label:
Has rash affected places...
English Text:
Has this itchy rash at any time affected any of the following places: the folds of the elbows, behind the knees, in front of the ankles, under the buttocks, or around the neck, ears, or eyes?
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 477 477
2 No 400 877
7 Refused 0 877
9 Don't know 0 877
. Missing 8945 9822

AGD170 - Age rash first occurred

Variable Name:
AGD170
SAS Label:
Age rash first occurred
English Text:
At what age did this itchy rash first occur?
English Instructions:
IF LESS THAN 1 YEAR, ENTER 1. HARD EDIT: DO NOT ALLOW 0. ENTER AGE IN YEARS.
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 84 Range of Values 858 858
85 85 years or older 7 865
777 Refused 0 865
999 Don't know 12 877
. Missing 8945 9822

AGQ180 - Doctor told have eczema

Variable Name:
AGQ180
SAS Label:
Doctor told have eczema
English Text:
Has a doctor or other health professional ever told {you/SP} that {you have/SP s/he has} eczema (ek-zi-ma)?
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 899 899
2 No 8905 9804
7 Refused 0 9804
9 Don't know 18 9822
. Missing 0 9822