Prevalence of the common cold symptoms and associated risk factors in a large population study

ABSTRACT

Common cold is the most frequent illness managed in general practice. Data regarding prevalence of the common cold in communities is confounded by the close similarity between allergy and/or asthma related symptoms and common cold. The purpose of this study was to elucidate possible correlations between self-reported common cold episodes and asthma/allergy related symptoms and some evident risk factors. As a part of an ISSAC study in Isfahan, Iran, a randomly selected population of 11666 students aged 6 to 18 years[mean +/- SD =12.96 +/- 2.99] were studied. The children or parents completed in a questionnaire with both ISSAC, and other supplementary questions regarding the common cold and allergy.11666 pupils [88.9%] completed the study. Those pupils reporting more than 3 to five episodes of the common cold exhibited a significantly more asthma and/or allergy related symptoms. Persian people with more than 3 to 5 episodes of cold like symptoms per year should be evaluated for allergic conditions