RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the current prevalence of asthma in children aged 6-12 years old in San Sebastian (Guipuzcoa, Spain). PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational, cross sectional study was performed in 6-12-year-old children in schools. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was employed. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was investigated using the free running test, with peak expiratory flow (PEF) measured with a peak flow meter as the main measurement. The ISAAC questionnaire (n = 919) was distributed to 460 boys (50.1%) and 459 girls (49.9%) with a mean age of 8 years (SD 1.87). The response rate to the questionnaire was 93 % (n = 855). Participation in the free running test was 90.8% (n = 835). A total of 89.88% of the children (n = 826) completed both tests. RESULTS: The questionnaire of symptoms and signs compatible with asthma revealed a current prevalence of asthma of 25.56% (n = 216) and a cumulative prevalence of 25.44% (n = 85). Nocturnal asthma was found in 29.37% (n = 47) and severe asthma in 9.27% (n = 14). Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was found in 23% of the participants. An epidemiological diagnosis of asthma (asthma-related symptoms plus bronchial hyperresponsiveness) was made in 6.54%. CONCLUSIONS: The current prevalence of asthma in 6-12-year-old schoolchildren in San Sebastian, determined through symptoms and signs compatible with asthma in the previous year and a positive free running test, is similar to that reported in other national studies.
Assuntos
Asma/epidemiologia , Criança , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Prevalência , Espanha/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia actual de asma en escolares de 6 a 12 años en San Sebastián (España). Pacientes y métodos: Estudio observacional y transversal en centros escolares en niños de 6 a 12 años, mediante cuestionario de síntomas relacionados con asma (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, ISAAC) y estudio de la hiperreactividad bronquial (HRB) (carrera al aire libre con esfuerzo máximo), utilizando como medida principal el flujo espiratorio máximo (FEM) medido con mini-wright. Se distribuyó el cuestionario ISAAC (n = 919) a 460 niños (50,1 %) y 459 niñas (49,9 %), con una media de edad de 8 años (desviación estándar [DE]: 1,87). La tasa de respuesta al cuestionario ISAAC fue del 93 % (n = 855). La participación en el test de carrera al aire libre fue del 90,8 % (n = 835). Completaron ambas pruebas el 89,88 % (n = 826). Resultados: Cuestionario de signos y síntomas compatibles con asma: prevalencia actual del asma, 25,56 % (n = 216); prevalencia acumulada, 25,44 % (n = 85); asma nocturna, 29,37 % (n = 47), y asma grave, 9,27 % (n = 14). Se ha objetivado HRB en el 23 % de los participantes. El diagnóstico epidemiológico del asma (síntomas relacionados con asma más HRB) ha sido del 6,54 %. Conclusiones: La prevalencia actual del asma en San Sebastián en escolares de 6-12 años, determinada mediante signos y síntomas compatibles con asma durante el último año y test de carrera libre positivo, es similar a otros estudios nacionales
Objective: To determine the current prevalence of asthma in children aged 6-12 years old in San Sebastian (Guipuzcoa, Spain). Patients and methods: An observational, cross sectional study was performed in 6-12-year-old children in schools. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was employed. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was investigated using the free running test, with peak expiratory flow (PEF) measured with a peak flow meter as the main measurement. The ISAAC questionnaire (n = 919) was distributed to 460 boys (50.1 %) and 459 girls (49.9 %) with a mean age of 8 years (SD 1.87). The response rate to the questionnaire was 93 % (n = 855). Participation in the free running test was 90.8 % (n = 835). A total of 89.88 % of the children (n = 826) completed both tests. Results: The questionnaire of symptoms and signs compatible with asthma revealed a current prevalence of asthma of 25.56 % (n = 216) and a cumulative prevalence of 25.44 % (n = 85). Nocturnal asthma was found in 29.37 % (n = 47) and severe asthma in 9.27 % (n = 14). Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was found in 23 % of the participants. An epidemiological diagnosis of asthma (asthma-related symptoms plus bronchial hyperresponsiveness) was made in 6.54 %. Conclusions: The current prevalence of asthma in 6-12-year-old schoolchildren in San Sebastian, determined through symptoms and signs compatible with asthma in the previous year and a positive free running test, is similar to that reported in other national studies
