ABSTRACT
The objectives of this work are to find out prevalence, symptoms and triggering factors of bronchial asthma in children in Gadariff area, East Sudan using ISAAC [International study of asthma and allergy in children] questionnaire, then to validate asthma diagnosis with ISAAC questionnaire using pulmonary function tests. This is a randomized cross-sectional study performed in Gadarif area, Eastern Sudan on 456 pupils, with age of 13-14 years, in the period 2004 to 2005. International study of asthma and allergy in children [ISAAC] questionnaire was filled by the pupils with assistance. It covered the personal data, symptoms of asthma, allergies and allergic rhinitis in the past year, family history and environmental factors. Pulmonary function tests were performed for confirmation of asthma in those who claimed to have symptoms. Prevalence of asthma symptoms [wheeze hearing] depending on ISAAC questionnaire was 6.3%. Prevalence after validation with pulmonary function tests was 5.03% with a questionnaire validity of 79.84%. Incidence of wheeze was 5.5% in the last year. In the asthmatic group, 15.1% had exercise induced wheeze, 27.8% had night cough without respiratory tract infection. 33.3% had sneezing without cold infection and in 47.9% the nasal problems were associated with tears. The daily activities were affected in 57.5%. Nasal problems were increased by dust, pollen grains and animals. Skin rash occurred in 82.4% during the past 12 months and disappeared completely in 76.6% of the children. Correlations were found between wheeze hearing and pollen grains, bats, cars dust and home animals. Statistically significant correlation were found between wheeze and smoking of others at home [p=0.01] and with anger [p=0.045]. Prevalence of asthma in Gadarif school children using ISAAC1 questionnaire was also associated to 6.3% with a validity of 79.82%. Wheeze was directly related to nasal problems, associated with tears and related to the chronic exposure to animals, plants and dust. Incidence of asthma has a significant direct correlation with smoking and anger
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to validate the Score for Allergic Rhinitis [SFAR] in clinically diagnosed Allergic Rhinitis patients in Sudan and to identify the most common allegens and other factors causing hypersensitivity. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the departments of Physiology, National Ribat University [Khartoum city] and Ahfad University for Women [Omdurman city], Sudan. Seventy three patients, 18-65 years of age, both sexes [40 females and 33 males], suffering from either Allergic Rhinitis referred by ENT Hospitals Units, or Asthma referred by Ribat hospital chest until or both and forty control [26 females and 14 males] without any nasal pathology were included in the study. The score for allergic rhinitis [SFAR] questionnaire was validated using skin prick test for common allergens. Ninety seven percent of both AR asthmatics and non-asthmatics have a score for AR >/= 7 compared to none of the control. 55.6% of AR patients and 61.8% of AR Asthmatic patients have positive skin tests [for at least one allergen], giving a sensitivity and specificity of 60.3% and 90% respectively for the SFAR. We have also found that the positive skin prick tests for at least one allergen were higher within AR asthmatic patients than within AR non asthmatics and Control, 61.9%, 55.6% and 10% respectively. The result showed that the Score for Allergic Rhinitis can be used with 60.3% confidence to diagnose AR in Sudan. The most common allergens causing hypersensitivity are D.Pteronyssinus, D. farine, Cats, Cockroaches and Betulace family trees