Prevalence of adult asthma based on questionnaires and methacholine bronchial provocation test in Seoul / 천식및알레르기

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There have been no reports concerning asthma prevalence in the Korean adult population using objective parameters such as methacholine bronchial provocation tests. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of asthma using an objective parameter, and the atopy rate in an adult population living in Seoul. METHOD: A total of 718 subjects (aged from 16 to 70 years) were enrolled in this study. They responded to a modified ATS respiratory questionnaire and underwent methacholine bronchial challenge and skin prick testing to common aeroallergens. RESULTS: The prevalence of current asthma, based on the questionnaire and bronchial challenge, was 3.4%. The prevalences of current asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness were higher in subjects over 50 years of age than in those under 50 years of age. The atopy rate, based on the skin prick testing, was 26.9%, and common sensitizing allergens in decreasing frequency were Dermatophagoides farinae (15.5%), D. pteronyssinus (14.2%), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (5.9%), cockroach (5.0%) and Tetranychus urticae (4.9%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of current asthma and the rate of atopy in an urban adult population were 3.4% and 26.9%, respectively.