Prevalencia de síntomas de rinitis alérgica y su relación con factores de riesgo en escolares de Santiago, Chile / Risk factors and prevalence of allergic rhinitis among Chilean children

Background: The prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis experienced a steady increase in the last years, probably associated to changes in lifestyles. Aim: To assess the prevalence of allergic rhinitis, to evaluate changes over time (1994-2000), and to describe risk factors. Material and Methods: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) core questionnaire, with questions added about socioeconomic status (SES), was applied to 4594 children between 6-7 years old and 13-14 years old during october-december 2000. Attendance to public or private schools was also used a SES proxy. The results were compared with those of a similar survey in 5281 children, performed in 1994. Rhinitis symptoms (ever) (SR), rhinitis symptoms within last 12 months (SR12) and medical diagnosis of rhinitis (DR) were assessed. Results: There was a significant increase in the prevalence of SR, SR 12 and DR in both age groups in 2000, compared to 1994. SR older children showed a higher prevalence of SR compared with the youngest group (p=0.003). No age differences were observed in the prevalence of SR12 and DR. Both SR and SR12 were more prevalent at schools of medium and low-medium SES (p=0.003 and p=0.002 respectively). DR was significantly more prevalent among children of high SES. A better mother educational level was associated to higher prevalence of SR and SR12 (p=0.03 and p=0.04). Father educational level was associated to DR (p=0.007). The prevalence of SR12 was higher in households with carpets (p=0.017). The prevalence of DR was higher in houses with smokers (p=0.03) and gas heating (p=0.005). None of the three variables were related to gender. Conclusions: The prevalence of SR, SR12 and DR increased significantly in a short time period (6 years). Our results support a positive association between DR and high SES.

Enfermedad pulmonar intersticial crónica en un lactante: caso clínico / Chronic interstitial pneumonia in an infant: clinical case

La enfermedad pulmonar interstical crónica es frecuente en lactantes y comprende un grupo heterogéno de enfermedades con patrón histológico semejante. Se presenta el caso de una lactante que inició su sintomatología en el período neonatal, con neumonías y atelectasias repetidas, asociadas a transtornos de la deglución con aspiración hacia la vía aérea. El estudio radiológico de tórax demostró infiltrados intersticiales bilaterales persistentes. La biopsia pulmonar fue compatible con una neumonía crónica interstical histiocitaria. Se trató con oxigenoterapia permanente, corticoides inhalatorios, broncodilatadores, kinesiterapia respiratoria, prednisona oral, que luego se cambió a cloroquina, la cual se mantiene hasta la fecha (tiempo de admini9stración 34 meses). La evolución clínica y radiológica ha sido favorable, lográndose la suspensión de la oxigenoterapia luego de un año de uso. Después del primer año de tratamiento no ha presentado neumonías y no han aparecido efectos secundarios por el uso prolongado de cloroquina. Su desarrollo pondoestatural no ha sido adecuado ya que es portadora de una genopatía aún no precisada, sin relación con la enfermedad pulmonar