Prevalence and severity of asthmatic symptoms in Rasht students: a report from ISAAC study

This study is a part of the third phase of "International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood" [ISAAC] which was aimed to study the prevalence and severity of asthma symptoms among children and to compare the result with those of the first phase in Rasht city. A descriptive study was performed on 0-7 and 13-14 years old students of Rasht city during 2001-2002. After performing statistical analysis, prevalence of asthma symptoms was evaluated in both sexes and the two age groups by using chi-square test. A total of 6074 students participated in this study. History of wheezing during their life-time and history of recent wheezing were present in 23.3% and 15.4% of students, respectively. Prevalence of this symptom in both situations was significantly higher in male students compared to females. Three hundred forty-nine students [5.7%] were known cases of asthma. Number of asthmatic cases among 6-7 years old students was 1.5 times higher than the other group. Also, prevalence of asthma in boys was 1.6 times higher than girls. Over all, 522 students [8.6%] mentioned a history of wheezing during or after exercise in the past 12 months. This was 3 times higher among 13-14 years old students and 1.9 times higher in boys. Eight hundred thirty-five [13.7%] students had a history of dry cough during the last 12 months and its prevalence was higher in students in the 13-14 years old group and in boys as well. Compared to the results of phase I of this study, the prevalence of known cases of asthma has considerably increased in both age groups. Prevalence of asthma was higher in 6-7 years old boys. There is a wide range of risk factors for development of asthma and its exacerbation in children which requires further investigations to find factors responsible for increased prevalence of this disease in Rasht city

Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in patients with bronchiectasis

This study assessed Helicobacter pylori [HP] seroprevalence in bronchiectatic patients and determined whether there is a potential association between bronchiectasis and H.pylori infection or not. This study was conducted on forty consecutive patients [26 men, 14 women; mean age 48.90 +/- 16.67 years, range 21-86 years] with bronchiectasis diagnosed by clinical symptoms and high resolution CT-scan. Helicobacter pylori IgG serum levels were measured in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Forty healthy subjects [25 men, 15 women; mean age 55.50 +/- 11.91 years, range 16-77 years] were selected as controls with no history of cerebrovascular, ischemic heart or respiratory diseases. Control subjects were matched for age, gender and socioeconomic status. Significant differences were observed in the seroprevalence of H.pylori between the two groups, who had similar age, gender distribution and socioeconomic status [76.0% vs. 54.4%, p=0.001]. Similarly, H.pylori IgG levels were significantly higher in bronchiectatic patients than in control subjects attended the hospital with non-respiratory conditions [1.43 +/- 0.55 and 1.07 +/- 0.44 U/ml, respectively; p < 0.05]. The association between Hp infection and bronchiectasis was confirmed in this study. Additional studies with larger numbers of patients and randomized control studies should be undertaken to assess the relationship and impact of the H.pylori eradication on bronchiectasis

Prevalence and severity of Asthma symptoms in children of Tehran international study of asthma and allergies in childhood [ISAAC]

This descreptive study was conducted to determine the prevalence of asthma and related symptoms among 6-7 and 13-14 year old school children in Tehran as a part of International study of Asthma and Allergies in childhood [ISAAC] phase Ill. The ISAAC written questionnaire was given to a total of 6127 students of 72 schools in urban area of Tehran. Simple random sampling was performed with a uniform distribution throughout 12 clusters of 2 divisions of the municipality. All 6-7 and 13-14 year old students were enrolled in this study. Results showed that 15% of the 6-7 year olds and 17% of the 13-14 year olds had positive history of wheezing among which 8.6% and 10.6% respectively had had recent attacks. Physician confirmed asthma was reported in 2.1% of the 6-7 year olds and 2.6% of the 13-14 age group. Severity of asthma assessed by frequency of speech limitation due to wheeze was positive in 1.5% of 6-7 aged group and 3% of 13-14 year olds. Exercise induced wheeze was detected in 2.3% of the 6- 7year old group compared to 15.3% of the 13-14 year olds. Nocturnal cough was more prevalent among 13-14 year olds [18.4%] compared to only 7.2% in the 6-7 year olds. Overall, no significant change in prevalence of asthma symptoms has occurred since 1997 [the last phase of ISAAC] among children of Tehran. The results of our study suggest higher rates of confirmed asthma among 6-7 years old girls compared to boys. However, more extensive and precisely designed studies are needed to further confirm these findings