The role of Human Development Index in the epidemiology of asthma in adolescents in Kosovo: A cross-sectional multicentre Global Asthma Network (GAN) study.

BACKGROUND: Very limited information is available on the prevalence and risk factors of asthma in adolescents in Kosovo, and no study has previously addressed the role of Human Development Index (HDI) on asthma in the region. The present study addresses these two issues. METHODS: Following the Global Asthma Network (GAN) methodology, a cross-sectional survey, through standardised self-completed questionnaires, was conducted in the following six centres of Kosovo: Ferizaj, Gjakova, Gjilan, Peja, Prishtina and Prizren. Current asthma symptoms (CAS) and severe current asthma symptoms (sCAS) were defined according to the GAN standards. Environmental questionnaire inquired about gender, exercise, screening time, siblings, truck traffic, use of paracetamol, pet ownership, and smoking habits. Height and weight were also measured. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed in each centre along with meta-analyses to summarise the overall effects of each factor in the centres as a whole. Meta-regression of the prevalence rates was calculated using HDI as a moderator. RESULTS: Participation rate was high (80.0-99.9%). Prevalence of CAS ranged from 4.6% to 11.3%, and sCAS from 1.7% to 4.5%. Factors associated with CAS were exercise, computer time, paracetamol use and dog ownership. sCAS was associated with paracetamol use and physical exercise. HDI explained 46% and 80% of prevalence variability of CAS and sCAS between centres, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of CAS and sCAS in Kosovo varies highly between centres. This variability is explained partly by HDI. Individual risk factors are common, with some determined in other studies conducted in other regions.

The role of Human Development Index in the epidemiology of asthma in adolescents in Kosovo: A cross-sectional multicentre Global Asthma Network (GAN) study

Background: Very limited information is available on the prevalence and risk factors of asthma in adolescents in Kosovo, and no study has previously addressed the role of Human Development Index (HDI) on asthma in the region. The present study addresses these two issues. Methods: Following the Global Asthma Network (GAN) methodology, a cross-sectional survey, through standardised self-completed questionnaires, was conducted in the following six centres of Kosovo: Ferizaj, Gjakova, Gjilan, Peja, Prishtina and Prizren. Current asthma symptoms (CAS) and severe current asthma symptoms (sCAS) were defined according to the GAN standards. Environmental questionnaire inquired about gender, exercise, screening time, siblings, truck traffic, use of paracetamol, pet ownership, and smoking habits. Height and weight were also measured. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed in each centre along with meta-analyses to summarise the overall effects of each factor in the centres as a whole. Meta-regression of the prevalence rates was calculated using HDI as a moderator. Results: Participation rate was high (80.0–99.9%). Prevalence of CAS ranged from 4.6% to 11.3%, and sCAS from 1.7% to 4.5%. Factors associated with CAS were exercise, computer time, paracetamol use and dog ownership. sCAS was associated with paracetamol use and physical exercise. HDI explained 46% and 80% of prevalence variability of CAS and sCAS between centres, respectively. Conclusions: Prevalence of CAS and sCAS in Kosovo varies highly between centres. This variability is explained partly by HDI. Individual risk factors are common, with some determined in other studies conducted in other regions (AU)

Con la antorcha entre la niebla de la vía aérea única: marcha atópica y otros argumentos en la búsqueda de la evidencia / With the Torch in the Mist of the United Airway Disease: Atopic March and Other Arguments in the Search for Evidence

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[Translated article] With the Torch in the Mist of the United Airway Disease: Atopic March and Other Arguments in the Search for Evidence / Con la antorcha entre la niebla de la vía aérea única: marcha atópica y otros argumentos en la búsqueda de la evidencia

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The burden of asthma, hay fever and eczema in children in 25 countries: GAN Phase I study.

AIMS: There have been no worldwide standardised surveys of prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in school children for 15 years. The present study aims to provide this information. METHODS: Following the exact International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) methodology (cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey), Global Asthma Network (GAN) Phase I was carried out between 2015 and 2020 in many centres worldwide. RESULTS: The study included 157 784 adolescents (13-14 years of age) in 63 centres in 25 countries and 101 777 children (6-7 years of age) in 44 centres in 16 countries. The current prevalence of symptoms, respectively, was 11.0% and 9.1% for asthma, 13.3% and 7.7% for rhinoconjunctivitis and 6.4% and 5.9% for eczema. The prevalence of asthma ever was 10.5% and 7.6%, hay fever ever was 15.2% and 11.1% and eczema ever was 10.6% and 13.4%, respectively. Centres in low or lower middle gross national income countries (LICs or LMICs) had significantly lower prevalence of the three disease symptoms and diagnoses (except for hay fever). In children, the prevalence of asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms was higher in boys, while the reverse occurred among adolescents. For eczema, while the prevalence among female adolescents was double that of males, there was no sex difference among children. Centre accounted for non-negligible variability in all disease symptoms (10-20%). CONCLUSION: The burdens of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema vary widely among the limited number of countries studied. Although symptom prevalence is lower in LICs and LMICs, it represents a considerable burden everywhere studied.