Omalizumab in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Brazilian Real-Life Experience.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines on chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) suggest a treatment based on a 3-step approach that aims at total symptom control, starting with H1-antihistamines. However, a significant number of patients present an antihistamine-resistant urticaria that must be treated with an alternative third-line therapy such as omalizumab. METHODS: Patients with a history of CSU who did not respond to treatment with high doses of modern antihistamines were treated with 150 or 300 mg of omalizumab every 4 weeks. The response to treatment was recorded as complete (CR), partial (PR) or no response. A dose adjustment was proposed according to response. RESULTS: We treated 47 CSU patients with omalizumab (40 females), of whom 39.5% had evidence of autoimmunity. The average number of treatments was 11.4 (range 2-87). All patients had been refractory to high-dose modern antihistamines. A CR was seen in 84.6% of patients who started with 300 mg and in 60% of those who started with 150 mg. Only 1 patient had no response to both the 150- and 300-mg doses. In 6 of the PR patients with 150 mg, a higher dose of 300 mg was proposed and 4 had a CR. Four patients discontinued the treatment. No severe adverse events were reported in the patients who finished the study. DISCUSSION: Although good results were seen in both groups, CR rates were higher in those under a high-dose initial treatment. Our data strongly suggest that the therapy should be individualized.

Pediatric allergy and immunology in Brazil.

The subspecialty of pediatric allergy and immunology in Brazil is in its early years and progressing steadily. This review highlights the research developed in the past years aiming to show the characteristics of allergic and immunologic diseases in this vast country. Epidemiologic studies demonstrated the high prevalence of asthma in infants, children, and adolescents. Mortality rates and average annual variation of asthma hospitalization have reduced in all pediatric age groups. Indoor aeroallergen exposure is excessively high and contributes to the high rates of allergy sensitization. Prevalence of food allergy has increased to epidemic levels. Foods (35%), insect stings (30%), and drugs (23%) are the main etiological agents of anaphylaxis in children and adolescents. Molecular diagnosis of primary immunodeficiencies (PID) showed a high incidence of fungal infections including paracoccidioidomycosis in X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome, and the occurrence of BCG adverse reactions or other mycobacterial infections in patients with chronic granulomatous disease. Education in pediatric allergy and immunology is deficient for medical students, but residency programs are effective in training internists and pediatricians for the practice of allergy. The field of PID requires further training. Last, this review is a tribute to Prof. Dr. Charles Naspitz, one of the pioneers of our specialty in Brazil.

Prevalence of asthma symptoms and associated factors in schoolchildren from Brazilian Amazon islands.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of asthma symptoms among schoolchildren living on two different Brazilian Amazon islands and to identify the risk factors related to this condition. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 400 schoolchildren (5-8 years old) using written questionnaires produced by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, a skin prick test (allergic sensitization), and a stool examination (for helminthic infection). Nonparametric tests were carried out, and the risk factors were identified by logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of active asthma symptoms was markedly higher in children living on Outeiro Island (OI) than those living on Combú Island (CBI) (30.5% and 16.5%, respectively). The logistic regression identified several risk factors of asthma symptoms on CBI: parental history of asthma, night coughing in the past year, and "currently have a cat". On OI, the major risk factors were parental history of asthma, personal history of eczema, having two or more older siblings, and night coughing in the past year. The risk factors in common on both the islands were night coughing in the past year and parental history of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of asthma symptoms was higher in those with a lifestyle closer to that observed in urban areas (i.e., better sanitation and hygiene), reinforcing the protective effect of a rural environment. Different risk factors were associated with asthma symptoms in schoolchildren living on OI and on CBI. This fact may reflect the environmental individuality and particularities of each island.

Allergy to penicillin and betalactam antibiotics.

Betalactams are the most frequent cause of hypersensitivity reactions to drugs mediated by a specific immune mechanism. Immediate reactions occur within 1 to 6 hours after betalactam administration, and are generally IgE-mediated. They clinically translate into urticaria, angioedema and anaphylaxis. Non-immediate or delayed reactions occur after 1 hour of administration. These are the most common reactions and are usually mediated by T cells. The most frequent type is the maculopapular or morbilliform exanthematous eruption. Most individuals who report allergies to penicillin and betalactams can tolerate this group of antibiotics. To make diagnosis, a detailed medical history is essential to verify whether it was an immediate or non-immediate reaction. Thereafter, in vivo and/or in vitro tests for investigation may be performed. The challenging test is considered the gold standard method for diagnosis of betalactam hypersensitivity. The first approach when suspecting a reaction to betalactam is to discontinue exposure to the drug, and the only specific treatment is desensitization, which has very precise indications. The misdiagnosis of penicillin allergy affects the health system, since the "penicillin allergy" label is associated with increased bacterial resistance, higher rate of therapeutic failure, prolonged hospitalizations, readmissions, and increased costs. Thus, it is essential to develop strategies to assist the prescription of antibiotics in patients identified with a label of "betalactam allergy" at hospitals, and to enhance education of patients and their caregivers, as well as of non-specialist physicians.

Prevalence of rhinitis-related symptoms in Latin American children - results of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) phase three.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of rhinitis-related symptoms among children living in different parts of Latin America (LA) considering all centers involved in ISAAC Phase Three (Ph3). 93,851 children (6-7 yr-old) from 35 centers in 14 LA countries and 165,917 adolescents (13-14 yr-old) from 56 centers in 17 LA countries were enrolled. The mean prevalence rate of current rhinoconjunctivitis was 12.7% and ranged from 5.5% in Rosario City (Argentina) to 21.2% in Caracas (Venezuela) for the schoolchildren. The mean prevalence rate of current rhinoconjunctivitis was 18.5% and ranged from 7.1% in Cuernavaca (México) to 45.1% in Asunción (Paraguay) for the adolescents. These indexes were among the higher observed during ISAAC Ph3. In general the prevalence of rhinitis-related symptoms was higher among the Spanish speaking centers. Environmental risk factors must be evaluated in order to explain the differences observed even in centers from the same country.

Is the prevalence of asthma and related symptoms among Brazilian children related to socioeconomic status?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and the prevalence of asthma and related symptoms among Brazilian children. METHODS: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) written questionnaire was applied to 23,457 six- to seven-year-old schoolchildren (SC) and 58,144 thirteen- to fourteen-year-old adolescents (AD) from 20 Brazilian cities. SES was evaluated by infant mortality index, poverty index, and average nominal income for people older than 10 years of age. RESULTS: Current asthma ranged from 16.5% to 31.2% among SC and from 11.8% to 30.5% among AD and severe asthma from 2.9% to 8.5% (SC) and 2.6% to 9.1% (AD). Higher values were observed in Brazilian-Northern, -Northeastern and -Southeastern centers. No significant association between SES and prevalence of asthma and related symptoms was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, the prevalence of asthma and related symptoms is quite variable and independent of SES.

Prevalence of rhinitis among Brazilian schoolchildren: ISAAC phase 3 results.

OBJECTIVE: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) is a standardized method that allows international and regional comparisons of asthma and allergic diseases prevalence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of rhinitis and related symptoms among 6-7 year-old children (SC) and 13-14 year-old adolescents (AD) from 20 Brazilian cities applying the ISAAC's standardized written questionnaire (WQ). METHODS: ISAAC's WQ was applied to 23,422 SC and 58,144 AD living in different regions of Brazil: North (N), Northeast (NE), Middle West (MW), Southeast (SE), and South (S). RESULTS: The prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis in the last year ranged from 10.3% to 17.4% and from 8.9% to 28.5% among SC and AD, respectively. Considering SC the highest values were observed in SE region. In NE, the prevalence in countryside centres was higher than those along the coast. Among AD, the highest values were observed in N and S regions, mainly in Pará (Belém). The evaluation of populations probably with the same genetic background has shown higher prevalence among those living in urban centres (capital) in comparison to those in the countryside. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of rhinitis and related symptoms were variable and predominate in Brazilian N and NE centres.

Atualização em reações de hipersensibilidade aos anestésicos locais / Update on local anesthetics hypersensitivity reactions

Os anestésicos locais são essenciais em diversos procedimentos médicos e odontológicos. Funcionam estabilizando as membranas neuronais e inibindo a transmissão de impulsos neurais, o que permite a realização desses procedimentos com mais segurança e sem dor. As reações adversas a drogas são definidas pela Organização Mundial da Saúde como todos os efeitos nocivos, não intencionais e indesejáveis de uma medicação, que ocorrem em doses usadas para prevenção, diagnóstico e tratamento. As reações de hipersensibilidade são reações adversas do tipo B, imprevisíveis, que clinicamente se assemelham a reações alérgicas e podem ou não envolver um mecanismo imune. As reações de hipersensibilidade verdadeiras aos anestésicos locais são raras, apesar de superestimadas. Nesta revisão destacamos a necessidade de uma avaliação completa dos pacientes com suspeita de reação alérgica aos anestésicos locais, incluindo a investigação de outros possíveis alérgenos que tenham sido utilizados no procedimento, como analgésicos, antibióticos e látex. A estratégia de investigação e seleção de pacientes para testes deve se basear na história clínica. Dessa forma, poderemos fornecer orientações mais assertivas e seguras aos pacientes.

Local anesthetics are essential in many medical and dental procedures. They work by stabilizing neuronal membranes and inhibiting the transmission of neural impulses, which allows these procedures to be performed more safely and without pain. Adverse drug reactions are defined by the World Health Organization as all harmful, unintended and undesirable effects of a medication, which occur at doses used for prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Hypersensitivity reactions are unpredictable type B adverse reactions that clinically resemble allergic reactions and may or may not involve an immune mechanism. True hypersensitivity reactions to local anesthetics are rare, although overestimated. In this review, we highlight the need for a thorough evaluation of patients with suspected allergic reaction to local anesthetics, including investigation of other possible allergens that may have been used in the procedure, such as analgesics, antibiotics and latex. The investigation strategy and patient selection for testing should be based on clinical history. In this way, we will be able to provide more assertive and safe guidelines to patients.

Atualização em reações de hipersensibilidade aos anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais ­ Parte 2: manifestações clínicas, fenótipos, diagnóstico e manejo / Update on hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ­ Part 2: clinical features, phenotypes, diagnosis, and management

Os anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais (AINE) são os fármacos mais frequentemente associados a reações de hipersensibilidade (RH) na prática clínica. Na parte 2 dessa atualização sobre as RH aos AINE, discutiremos os aspectos clínicos dessas reações, com foco nos sinais e sintomas, como diferenciar os fenótipos clínicos, fazer a orientação desses pacientes e quando indicar procedimentos complementares, como testes cutâneos, de provocação e dessensibilização.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a major cause of drug hypersensitivity reactions in clinical practice. In this "Update Part 2", we discuss the clinical picture, including the main signs and symptoms, how to distinguish clinical phenotypes, how to manage affected patients, and when to indicate additional procedures, such as skin testing, challenge, and desensitization.

Atualização em reações de hipersensibilidade aos anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais ­ Parte 1: definições, farmacologia, epidemiologia, fisiopatologia e fatores genéticos / Update on hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ­ Part 1: definitions, pharmacology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and genetics

Os anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais (AINE) estão entre os medicamentos mais utilizados no mundo e são os fármacos mais frequentemente associados à ocorrência de reações de hipersensibilidade na América Latina. As reações têm grande variabilidade de apresentações clínicas e, consequentemente, com abordagem terapêutica difícil. Nesta revisão, abordamos aspectos farmacológicos dos AINE, bem como as definições, epidemiologia e fisiopatologia das reações de hipersensibilidade aos AINE. Por fim, discutimos aspectos genéticos associados à intolerância e alergia a esses fármacos.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly used medications worldwide and the drugs most frequently associated with the occurrence of hypersensitivity reactions in Latin America. The clinical presentation of the reactions varies widely, which makes them difficult to treat. In this review, we address pharmacological aspects of NSAIDs, as well as the definitions, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs. Finally, we discuss genetic factors associated with intolerance and allergy to these drugs.

New antihistamines: a critical view.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a critical evaluation of the more recent H1 antihistamines and the various terms used to describe them, based on a review of evidence on their role in the treatment of allergic disorders. SOURCES OF DATA: Original articles, reviews and consensus documents published from 1998 to 2006 and indexed in the MEDLINE and PubMed databases. Keyword: antihistamines. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Second-generation antihistamines differ from first-generation ones because of their elevated specificity and affinity for peripheral H1 receptors and because of their lower penetration of the central nervous system (CNS), having fewer sedative effects as a result. Whilst second-generation antihistamines are in general better tolerated than their predecessors, some adverse effects, principally cardiotoxicity, have been observed with some of them. Over the last 20 years, new compounds with different pharmacokinetic properties have been synthesized. The majority of these exhibit anti-inflammatory properties that are independent of their action on the H1 receptor. More recent improvements, generally in the form of active metabolites, led to the use of the term third-generation antihistamines. This term emerged spontaneously, with no clear definition of its meaning or clinical implications, creating great confusion among healthcare professionals. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the evidence on H1 antihistamines, none of them deserve the title "third-generation antihistamine." As the Consensus Group on New Generation Antihistamines concluded, to merit this definition, a new class of antihistamines would have to demonstrate distinct clinical advantages over existing compounds and fulfill at least three prerequisites: they should be free from cardiotoxicity, drug interactions and effects on the CNS.

Prevalence of symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema among Brazilian children and adolescents identified by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) - Phase 3.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema among schoolchildren aged 6 to 7 years and adolescents aged 13 to 14 years in 20 Brazilian cities by using the standardized ISAAC written questionnaire, and to assess the association of this prevalence with latitude, altitude and average annual temperature of collaborating centers. METHODS: Schoolchildren and adolescents from five Brazilian regions participated in the study, totaling 23,422 ISAAC questionnaires answered by schoolchildren's parents and 58,144 questionnaires answered by adolescents. The values for latitude, altitude and average annual temperature were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. RESULTS: The mean prevalence rates among schoolchildren and adolescents were respectively 24.3 and 19.0% for active asthma; 12.6 and 14.6% for rhinoconjunctivitis; and 8.2 and 5.0% for atopic eczema. A significant negative association was observed between latitude and physician-diagnosed asthma among schoolchildren, severe asthma, physician-diagnosed asthma, eczema and atopic eczema among adolescents. No association with altitude was found. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of asthma, rhinitis and atopic eczema in Brazil varies considerably. Higher prevalence rates, especially of asthma and eczema, were found at centers located closer to the equator.

Allergy to penicillin and betalactam antibiotics / Alergia a penicilina e antibióticos beta-lactâmicos

ABSTRACT Betalactams are the most frequent cause of hypersensitivity reactions to drugs mediated by a specific immune mechanism. Immediate reactions occur within 1 to 6 hours after betalactam administration, and are generally IgE-mediated. They clinically translate into urticaria, angioedema and anaphylaxis. Non-immediate or delayed reactions occur after 1 hour of administration. These are the most common reactions and are usually mediated by T cells. The most frequent type is the maculopapular or morbilliform exanthematous eruption. Most individuals who report allergies to penicillin and betalactams can tolerate this group of antibiotics. To make diagnosis, a detailed medical history is essential to verify whether it was an immediate or non-immediate reaction. Thereafter, in vivo and/or in vitro tests for investigation may be performed. The challenging test is considered the gold standard method for diagnosis of betalactam hypersensitivity. The first approach when suspecting a reaction to betalactam is to discontinue exposure to the drug, and the only specific treatment is desensitization, which has very precise indications. The misdiagnosis of penicillin allergy affects the health system, since the "penicillin allergy" label is associated with increased bacterial resistance, higher rate of therapeutic failure, prolonged hospitalizations, readmissions, and increased costs. Thus, it is essential to develop strategies to assist the prescription of antibiotics in patients identified with a label of "betalactam allergy" at hospitals, and to enhance education of patients and their caregivers, as well as of non-specialist physicians.

RESUMO Os beta-lactâmicos constituem a causa mais frequente de reações de hipersensibilidade a fármacos mediadas por mecanismo imunológico específico. As reações imediatas ocorrem em 1 até 6 horas após a administração do beta-lactâmico, sendo geralmente IgE-mediadas. Elas se traduzem clinicamente por urticária, angioedema e anafilaxia. As reações não imediatas ou tardias ocorrem após 1 hora da administração. São as reações mais comuns, sendo geralmente mediadas por células T. O tipo mais frequente é o exantema maculopapular ou morbiliforme. A maioria dos indivíduos que refere alergia aos beta-lactâmicos pode tolerar esse grupo de antibióticos. No diagnóstico, uma história clínica detalhada é fundamental para verificar se a reação foi do tipo imediato ou não imediato. A partir daí, podem ser realizados testes in vivo e/ou in vitro para investigação. O teste de provocação é considerado o método padrão-ouro no diagnóstico de hipersensibilidade aos beta-lactâmicos. A primeira conduta diante da suspeita de uma reação ao beta-lactâmico é suspender a exposição ao medicamento, e o único tratamento específico é a dessensibilização, que possui indicações bem precisas. O diagnóstico equivocado de alergia à penicilina afeta o sistema de saúde, pois o rótulo de "alergia à penicilina" está associado a aumento da resistência bacteriana, maior índice de falha terapêutica, hospitalizações prolongadas, readmissões e aumento dos custos. Assim, torna-se fundamental elaborar estratégias com o objetivo de auxiliar na prescrição de antibióticos em pacientes com rótulo de "alergia aos beta-lactâmicos" nos hospitais e melhorar a educação dos pacientes e seus responsáveis, além de médicos não especialistas.

Reatividade cruzada entre betalactâmicos: uma abordagem prática / Cross-reactivity among beta-lactams: a practical approach

Os betalactâmicos são a classe de drogas que mais causam reações de hipersensibilidade envolvendo um mecanismo imunológico específico, e são os principais desencadeantes entre os antimicrobianos. São representados pelas penicilinas, cefalosporinas, carbapenêmicos, monobactâmicos e inibidores da betalactamase. A estrutura química básica destes fármacos consiste na presença dos seguintes componentes: anel betalactâmico, anel adjacente e cadeias laterais, sendo todos potenciais epítopos. Os anticorpos da classe IgE e linfócitos T estão frequentemente envolvidos no reconhecimento desses epítopos. A reatividade cruzada depende da estabilidade dos produtos intermediários (determinantes antigênicos) derivados da degradação dos anéis betalactâmicos, anéis adicionais e da semelhança estrutural das cadeias laterais entre as drogas. Classicamente acreditava-se num grande potencial de reatividade cruzada dentro de cada classe e até entre as classes, mas estudos da última década mostraram que indivíduos alérgicos à penicilina (com testes cutâneos positivos) reagiam às cefalosporinas em aproximadamente 3% dos casos, aos carbapenêmicos em cerca de 1%, e praticamente não reagiam aos monobactâmicos. Essa reatividade ou tolerância parece estar vinculada ao grau de similaridade entre as cadeias laterais desses antibióticos. Nesta revisão, ressaltamos a importância da investigação sistematizada na confirmação ou exclusão de alergia aos betalactâmicos, descrevemos a prevalência da reatividade cruzada entre estes fármacos e sugerimos um algoritmo de abordagem desses pacientes baseados em sua estrutura química e nos dados publicados na literatura.

Beta-lactams are the drugs most commonly involved in hypersensitivity reactions mediated by a specific immune mechanism and are the main triggers among antibiotics. They include penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams and beta-lactam inhibitors. The basic chemical structure of these drugs consist on the presence of the following components: betalactam ring, an adjacent ring and side chains, all of which are potential epitopes. IgE antibodies and T lymphocytes are often involved in recognizing those epitopes. Cross-reactivity depends on the stability of intermediate products (antigenic determinants) derived from the degradation of the beta-lactam ring, on the adjacent rings, and on the structural similarity of the side chains between drugs. Classically, it was believed that there was a great potential for cross-reactivity within each class and even between classes, but studies from the last decade showed that individuals allergic to penicillin (with positive skin tests) reacted to cephalosporins in approximately 3% of cases, to carbapenems in about 1%, and rarely reacted to monobactams. This reactivity or tolerance seems to be linked to the degree of similarity between the side chains of these antibiotics. In this review, we emphasize the importance of systematic investigation to confirm or exclude allergy to beta-lactams, we describe the prevalence of crossreactivity between these drugs and we suggest an algorithm for approaching these patients based on their chemical structure and on data published in the literature.

Prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in adolescents: nine-year follow-up study (2003-2012).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema in adolescents (AD; 13-14 years) living in seven Brazilian cities, by applying the standardized written questionnaire (WQ) of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), and to evaluate the time trend nine years after the last assessment of ISAAC phase 3 (ISP3). METHODS: The ISAAC-WQ was answered by 20,099 AD from the Northern, Northeastern, Southeastern, and Southern Brazilian regions. Values obtained were compared to those observed in ISP3 using nonparametric (chi-squared or Fisher) tests, and the ratio of annual increment/decrement was established for each of the centers, according to the symptom assessed. RESULTS: Considering the national data and comparing to values of ISP3, there was a decrease in the mean prevalence of active asthma (18.5% vs. 17.5%) and an increase in the frequency of severe asthma (4.5% vs. 4.7%) and physician-diagnosed asthma (14.3% vs. 17.6%). An increase in prevalence of rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic eczema was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema in Brazil was variable; higher prevalence values, especially of asthma and eczema, were observed in regions located closer to the Equator.

[Prevalence of atopic eczema and associated symptoms in school children]. / Prevalência de eczema atópico e sintomas relacionados entre estudantes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and associated symptoms in schoolchildren from the city of São Paulo in 1996 and 1999. METHODS: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) written questionnaire was applied to the parents of 6 to 7-year-old children in 1996 and 1999 (3,005 in 1996 and 3,033 in 1999) and to 13 to 14-year-old adolescents (3,008 in 1996 and 3,487 in 1999). In the ISAAC, the option eczema ever indicates that a diagnosis of atopic eczema was made by a physician at least once in the subject's life. This was used to define "medical diagnosis" in the present study. The concomitant report of lesions in the last year in characteristic places constitutes the "combined criterion" for the diagnosis of atopic eczema and was also employed in the present study. Data were analyzed using the Epi-Info 6.0 software. RESULTS: In the 6 to 7-year-old group, there was a significant decrease in the number of "medical diagnoses" of atopic eczema in 1999 (11.4%) in comparison to 1996 (13.2%). The increase in the prevalence of "medical diagnoses" observed in 1999 among adolescents was not significant (14 vs. 15%). Considering the "combined criterion," there were no significant differences between 1996 and 1999 in either group (6.6% vs. 6.8% for 6 to 7 year-old children; 3.7% vs. 4.4% for adolescents). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the increase in the prevalence of atopic diseases worldwide, we documented a reduction in the prevalence of "medical diagnoses" of atopic eczema in 6 to 7-year-old children. Nevertheless, atopic eczema remains as a relevant disease in the pediatric population.

Asthma in children and adolescents in Brazil: contribution of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC).

OBJECTIVE: To assess asthma among Brazilian pediatric population applying the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), an internationally standardized and validated protocol. DATA SOURCES: ISAAC was conceived to maximize the value of epidemiologic studies on asthma and allergic diseases, establishing a standardized method (self-applicable written questionnaire and/or video questionnaire) capable to facilitate the international collaboration. Designed to be carried out in three successive and dependent phases, the ISAAC gathered a casuistic hitherto unimaginable in the world and in Brazil. This review included data gathered from ISAAC official Brazilian centers and others who used this method. DATA SYNTHESIS: At the end of the first phase, it has been documented that the prevalence of asthma among Brazilian schoolchildren was the eighth among all centers participating all over the world. Few centers participated in the second phase and investigated possible etiological factors, especially those suggested by the first phase, and brought forth many conjectures. The third phase, repeated seven years later, assessed the evolutionary trend of asthma and allergic diseases prevalence in centers that participated simultaneously in phases I and III and in other centers not involved in phase I. CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, the ISAAC study showed that asthma is a disease of high prevalence and impact in children and adolescents and should be seen as a Public Health problem. Important regional variations, not well understood yet, and several risk factors were found, which makes us wonder: is there only one or many asthmas in Brazil?