Prevalência e gravidade de asma, rinite e eczema entre crianças e adolescentes de Feira de Santana, BA, por questionário do International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) / Prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema among children and adolescents living in Feira de Santana, Bahia, northeastern Brazil, according to international study of Asthma and allergies in childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire

RESUMO

Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência e gravidade de asma, rinite e eczema entre escolares de 6-7 anos e adolescentes de 13-14 anos residentes em Feira de Santana, BA. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal. Questionários padronizados do International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) foram respondidos pelos pais de escolares em residência e devolvidos às escolas, e pelos adolescentes em sala de aula. Na análise estatística utilizou-se o teste do qui-quadrado. Resultados: A prevalência de sintomas de asma, rinite e eczema atópico nos últimos 12 meses em escolares foi de 19,1% (118); 40,7% (251) e 7,8% (48) respectivamente; e em adolescentes foi de 23,9% (247); 38,7% (400) e 11% (114). Rinite esteve associada de forma significante à asma em escolares, com com razão de prevalência RP 2,16 IC95% (1,83-2,56) e em adolescentes, com RP 1,53 IC95% (1,31-1,78). Eczema também mostrou associação significante com asma em escolares, com RP 2,15 IC95% (1,22-3,78) e em adolescentes RP 3,29 IC95% (2,35-4,62). Asma grave foi observada em 7,1% e 7,4% dos escolares e adolescentes, enquanto que rinite grave ocorreu em 25,8% e 21,6% de escolares e adolescentes, respectivamente. Conclusões: A prevalência de asma e rinite foi elevada entre escolares e adolescentes de Feira de Santana, BA. Em concordância com estudos prévios, a asma permanece subdiagnosticada. Houve elevada frequência de asma e rinite graves. Ações por órgãos públicos e privados de saúde são necessárias para o controle destas doenças.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in schoolchildren aged 6-7 years and adolescents aged 13-14 years living in Feira de Santana, state of Bahia, north eastern Brazil. In this cross-sectional study, parents of childrenaged 6-7 years answered standardized questionnaires of the International Study of Asthma andAllergies in Childhood (ISAAC) in their homes, where as adolescents answered questionnaires inthe classroom. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The prevalence ofasthma, rhinitis, and eczema over the past 12 months among schoolchildren was 19.1% (118),40.7% (251), and 7.8% (48), respectively; and among adolescents, 23.9% (247), 38.7% (400), and11% (114), respectively. Rhinitis was significantly associated with asthma, with a prevalence ratio (PR) of 2.16 and a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of 1.83-2.56 among schoolchildren, andRP = 1.53 and 95%CI = 1.31‑1.78 among adolescents. Eczema also showed significant association with asthma among both schoolchildren (RP = 2.15, 95%CI = 1.22-3.78) and adolescents(RP = 3.29, 95%CI = 2.35‑4.62). Severe asthma was observed in 7.1 and 7.4% of schoolchildren andadolescents, respectively, whereas severe rhinitis was present in 25.8 and 21.6%. Conclusions: Prevalence of asthma and rhinitis was high among schoolchildren and adolescents living in Feirade Santana, Bahia. In line with previous studies, asthma remained underdiagnosed. There wasa high frequency of severe asthma and rhinitis. Policies established by public and private health agencies are warranted to improve control of these diseases.