Asthma and other allergic diseases in 13-14-year-old schoolchildren in Urmia: an ISAAC study

ABSTRACT

We determined the prevalence and risk factors of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema in 3000 13-14-year-old schoolchildren in Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran. We used the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood [ISAAC] written and video questionnaires. With the written questionnaire, the prevalence of current symptoms [within the past 12 months] was wheeze 14.5%, allergic rhinitis 23.6% and eczema 10.1%. Self-reported asthma ever was only 2.1%. With the video questionnaire, the prevalence of wheeze was lower; 7.4% for wheeze at rest ever and 4.6% during the past 12 months. Boys had a significantly higher prevalence for most items examined except for eczema