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.

Immediate infusion-related adverse reactions to intravenous immunoglobulin in a prospective cohort of 1765 infusions.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is increasingly recommended for many diseases apart from primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID). Although effective and safe, adverse reactions may occur. We conducted a 2-year prospective observational study in 117 patients with PID who received regular IVIG replacement therapy at a median dose of 600 mg/kg every 3 to 4 weeks to examine IVIG's adverse effects; 1765 infusions were performed (mean=15/patient) in 75 males and 42 females (aged 3 months to 77 years) in 3 groups: ≤ 9 years (34.2%), 10-19 years (26.5%), and ≥ 20 years (39.3%). Fifty patients had common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), 11 had X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), and 55 had other immune system disorders. The drugs administered were Octagam® (49.1%), Tegeline® (17.3%), Imunoglobulin® (18.6%), Flebogama® (12.9%), Vigam® (1.2%), and Kiovig® (0.4%). Immediate infusion-related adverse reactions occurred in the cases of 38 out 1765 infusions (2.15%, IC95% 1.53%-2.94%), which were classified as mild (81.6%), moderate (10.5%), or severe (7.9%). Time until reaction ranged from 10 to 240 min (mean = 85.7, median = 60). Reaction rates were similar across age groups. The most common reactions were malaise, headache, and abdominal pain. Reported severe events were tightness of the throat and seizure. All symptoms improved with temporary or complete IVIG interruption and symptomatic medications. Sixteen of 38 reactions to infusions occurred in the presence of an acute infection (p=0.09). Tegeline® represented a greater reaction risk factor than Octagam® (p < 0.001). These results indicate that IVIG infusion can be considered a safe procedure. Low reaction incidence and few severe immediate infusion-related adverse reactions were observed.

Os fatores associados à asma em crianças e adolescentes são universais? Estudo sistemático multicêntrico brasileiro / Are the factors associated with asthma in children and adolescents universal? A systematic multicenter Brazilian study

Objetivo: Comparar os fatores de risco associados à asma em escolares brasileiros habitantes de diferentes regiões do país. Método: Participaram estudantes (4-8 anos, n = 4.262; 10-14 anos, n = 10.603) matriculados em escolas privadas ou particulares de onze centros de nove cidades brasileiras, utilizando-se o protocolo do International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC). Após a obtenção das taxas de prevalência de asma, foram selecionados de modo aleatório estudantes com asma ativa (resposta afirmativa para "sibilos nos últimos 12 meses") e sem asma (resposta negativa) mantendo-se como base a proporção 1:2. A seguir os responsáveis responderam questionário complementar ISAAC sobre fatores de risco. A análise de regressão logística identificou os fatores associados à expressão da asma nos escolares, em cada centro de origem. Resultados: Na faixa etária mais jovem, ter antecedente de rinite ou eczema atópico, história familiar de doenças alérgicas e ser exposto ao tabaco foram identificados pela maioria dos centros. Entre os adolescentes ocorreu o mesmo: ter rinite alérgica (8/11 centros), ter antecedentes familiares de doenças alérgicas (6/11), ser exposto passivamente ao tabaco (6/11), assim como a animais domésticos, sobretudo gato (5/11), nascer pré-termo, ter baixo consumo de vegetais e suco de frutas foram os fatores identificados. Conclusões: Os fatores associados ao desenvolvimento de asma em escolares brasileiros não foram uniformes. Fatores genéticos, como ter outra doença alérgica, ou familiares com doença alérgica, foram identificados pela maioria dos centros participantes. A exposição ao tabaco, assim como a animais domésticos, também mostrou ser de importância clínica.

Objective: To compare factors associated with the development of asthma in Brazilian schoolchildren residing in different geographical regions. Method: Children and adolescents (4-8 years, n = 4,262; 10-14 years, n = 10,603) enrolled in public or private schools at 11 centers from 9 Brazilian cities were screened using the protocol of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). After obtaining asthma prevalence rates, schoolchildren with active asthma (positive response for wheezing in the past 12 months) and without asthma (negative response) were randomly selected at a ratio of 1:2. Then, their parents or guardians were asked to answer the supplementary ISAAC questionnaire on risk factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with the expression of asthma among schoolchildren at each center. Results: Among children, having a history of rhinitis or atopic eczema, having a family history of allergic diseases, and being exposed to tobacco were identified as risk factors at most centers. Among adolescents, similar results were found: having allergic rhinitis (8/11 centers), having a family history of allergic diseases (6/11), being passively exposed to tobacco (6/11), being exposed to domestic animals, especially cat (5/11), having been born preterm, and having a low intake of vegetables and fruit juice were the main factors identified. Conclusion: Risk factors for the development of asthma in Brazilian schoolchildren were not unanimous. Genetic factors, such as having another allergic disease, or having family members with allergic disease, were identified by most of the participating centers. Exposure to tobacco, as well as to domestic animals, also showed to be clinically important.

Prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in adolescents: nine-year follow-up study (2003-2012) / Prevalência de asma e doenças alérgicas em adolescentes: estudo evolutivo de nove anos (2003 a 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. .

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência de sintomas relacionados à asma, à rinite e ao eczema atópico em adolescentes (13-14 anos, AD) residentes em sete cidades brasileiras com o questionário escrito (QE) padronizado do International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (Isaac) e verificar a tendência temporal passados nove anos da última avaliação do Isaac fase 3 (ISF3). MÉTODOS: O QE Isaac foi respondido por 20.099 AD (13-14 anos) moradores em centros das regiões Norte, Nordeste, Sudeste e Sul. Os índices obtidos foram comparados aos do ISF3 com o teste não paramétrico (qui-quadrado ou Fisher) e foi estabelecida a taxa de incremento/decremento anual para cada um dos centros segundo o sintoma avaliado. RESULTADOS: Em relação ao ISF3, considerando-se os dados nacionais, houve queda da prevalência média de asma ativa (18,5% vs. 17,5%) com elevação da frequência de asma grave (4,5% vs. 4,7%) e de asma diagnosticada por médico (14,3% vs. 17,6%). Aumento da prevalência de rinite e rinoconjuntivite e de eczema flexural também ocorreram. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de asma, rinite e eczema atópico no Brasil foi variável. Valores mais altos, sobretudo de asma e eczema, foram observados nos centros localizados mais próximos ao Equador. .