Prevalence of allergic diseases in a sample of Taif citizens assessed by an original Arabic questionnaire (phase I) A pioneer study in Saudi Arabia

Background: In recent decades, the prevalence of allergic diseases has markedly increased worldwide; however, there are still many cases which remain undiagnosed. Epidemiological studies have the potential to elucidate the prevalence and risk factors for these diseases. Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating the capability of a new original non-translated questionnaire in Arabic language to determine the prevalence and severity of these diseases in asample from Taif citizens. Thus, it could provide a framework as an initial step towards accomplishing the first national questionnaire-based survey study determining the actual prevalence of various allergic diseases in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A detailed seven-section questionnaire including 143 closed questions covering almost all of the usual and unusual symptoms of various allergic diseases, in Arabic language, was handed out to 1050 subjects, from whom 877 (83.52%) questionnaires were completed; however, 23 questionnaires were discarded as they were not accurately filled in. Thus, 854 (81.33%) were enrolled in this study. Results: Urticaria, allergic rhinitis with or without other co-morbidities, and atopic dermatitis were the most prevalent allergic morbidities, however, other allergic diseases could be diagnosed by the aid of the questionnaire. Likelihood ratio-evidenced agreement between diagnosis reached by the questionnaire and that reached by doctor occurred in 50 sample cases(p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The questionnaire proved its capability in aiding the diagnosis of various allergic morbidities. It evidenced a high prevalence of allergic diseases in Taif city. This is an important health issue which requires strategic application of primary health care facilities to achieve adequate control (AU)

Relation of perimenstrual asthma with disease severity and other allergic co-morbidities—the first report of perimenstrual asthma prevalence in Saudi Arabia

Background: Perimenstrual asthma (PMA) has been documented in 30–40% of asthmatic women; however, there have been few epidemiological investigations of PMA in practice. Objectives: Determination of the prevalence of perimenstrual asthma in a sample of female Saudi asthmatic patients, and to study the relation of PMA to asthma severity, aspirin-induced asthma and to other allergic co-morbidities. Study design Data were analysed from all female asthmatic patients followed up in the unit from January 2008 to May 2009 who were not pregnant, not on oral contraceptive pills, not menopausal, nor had had a hysterectomy. They were asked about exacerbation of their asthma state regarding worsening of symptoms, need for more rescue medications and even visits to emergency room just before or in the first days of menstruation, or both. Moreover, relation with aspirin-induced asthma and other associated allergic co-morbidities recorded in their medical files with prevalence of PMA was reported. Results: The prevalence was found to be 8.2%. Asthma severity was found to be significantly related to PMA (p<0.0001). Aspirin-induced asthma and allergic co-morbidities were more prone to occur in cases with PMA than other studied asthmatics. Conclusion: We have found a low prevalence of PMA in Saudi women of fertile age compared to other studies published. Study findings support the hypothesis that PMA is related to asthma severity (AU)

Prevalence of allergic diseases in a sample of Taif citizens assessed by an original Arabic questionnaire (phase I) A pioneer study in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, the prevalence of allergic diseases has markedly increased worldwide; however, there are still many cases which remain undiagnosed. Epidemiological studies have the potential to elucidate the prevalence and risk factors for these diseases. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at evaluating the capability of a new original non-translated questionnaire in Arabic language to determine the prevalence and severity of these diseases in a sample from Taif citizens. Thus, it could provide a framework as an initial step towards accomplishing the first national questionnaire-based survey study determining the actual prevalence of various allergic diseases in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A detailed seven-section questionnaire including 143 closed questions covering almost all of the usual and unusual symptoms of various allergic diseases, in Arabic language, was handed out to 1050 subjects, from whom 877 (83.52%) questionnaires were completed; however, 23 questionnaires were discarded as they were not accurately filled in. Thus, 854 (81.33%) were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Urticaria, allergic rhinitis with or without other co-morbidities, and atopic dermatitis were the most prevalent allergic morbidities, however, other allergic diseases could be diagnosed by the aid of the questionnaire. Likelihood ratio-evidenced agreement between diagnosis reached by the questionnaire and that reached by doctor occurred in 50 sample cases (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire proved its capability in aiding the diagnosis of various allergic morbidities. It evidenced a high prevalence of allergic diseases in Taif city. This is an important health issue which requires strategic application of primary health care facilities to achieve adequate control.

Relation of perimenstrual asthma with disease severity and other allergic co-morbidities--the first report of perimenstrual asthma prevalence in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Perimenstrual asthma (PMA) has been documented in 30-40% of asthmatic women; however, there have been few epidemiological investigations of PMA in practice. OBJECTIVES: Determination of the prevalence of perimenstrual asthma in a sample of female Saudi asthmatic patients, and to study the relation of PMA to asthma severity, aspirin-induced asthma and to other allergic co-morbidities. STUDY DESIGN: Data were analysed from all female asthmatic patients followed up in the unit from January 2008 to May 2009 who were not pregnant, not on oral contraceptive pills, not menopausal, nor had had a hysterectomy. They were asked about exacerbation of their asthma state regarding worsening of symptoms, need for more rescue medications and even visits to emergency room just before or in the first days of menstruation, or both. Moreover, relation with aspirin-induced asthma and other associated allergic co-morbidities recorded in their medical files with prevalence of PMA was reported. RESULTS: The prevalence was found to be 8.2%. Asthma severity was found to be significantly related to PMA (p<0.0001). Aspirin-induced asthma and allergic co-morbidities were more prone to occur in cases with PMA than other studied asthmatics. CONCLUSION: We have found a low prevalence of PMA in Saudi women of fertile age compared to other studies published. Study findings support the hypothesis that PMA is related to asthma severity.

The prevalence of aspirin-induced asthma in Saudian asthmatic patients.

BACKGROUND: Aspirin-induced asthma (AIA), is a distinct clinical syndrome affecting some asthmatic patients. Although the name of the condition relates to aspirin, it is well established that affected patients are cross-sensitive to all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). OBJECTIVES: Assessing the prevalence of AIA among Saudian asthmatic patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of the medical records of asthmatic patients. RESULTS: The prevalence of AIA in the patients studied was found to be 12.6%. Statistical analyses indicated that AIA was associated with more severe asthma [odds ratio (OR) (95% Confidence interval (CI)) in Group I cases 2.86 (1.24 to 6.59) respectively (p<0.05)]. The results showed that some allergic conditions were significantly more common in Group I for allergic rhinitis (OR=2.19, 95% CI 0.89-5.37, p<0.05), pollinosis (OR=1.59, 95% CI 0.85-2.98, p<0.05) for antibiotic allergy (OR=1.25, 95% CI 0.65-2.41, p<0.05) and for atopic dermatitis (OR=1.34, 95% CI 0.70-2.55, p<0.05). Family history of allergy had a more significant role in Group I cases (OR=1.27, 95% CI 0.68-2.37, p<0.05). No gender difference on asthma severity was detected in either group (Chi(2)=2.19, p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms triggered by aspirin/NSAID use was 12.6% in the asthmatics studied. AIA appears to be a significant problem and further investigations of the mechanisms of these responses and the possible link between this syndrome and other allergic co-morbidities are required.

Pulmonary function tests, high-resolution computerized tomography, alpha1-antitrypsin measurement, and early detection of pulmonary involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary disease represents a major complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, pulmonary involvement is commonly silent. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum alpha1-antitrypsin and other means of assessing pulmonary involvement. METHODS: Twenty-two patients affected by SSc were studied (mean age 37.6+/-14.3 years, mean duration of disease 9.9+/-11.9 years). Fourteen had the diffuse form of disease (dSSc) and eight had the limited form (lSSc). All patients underwent pulmonary function tests, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lungs, echocardiography, and serum assessment of alpha1-antitrypsin. RESULTS: Mean percentage of predicted values of forced vital capacity was lower in patients with dSSc than with lSSc (72.3+/-17.8 vs 74.5+/-8, P=NS). Mean percentage of predicted values of forced expiratory volume in 1-s forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) was lower in patients with lSSc (79.8+/-7.5 for lSSc vs 84.4+/-7.8 for dSSc, P= NS). The overall HRCT score was 5.6+/-5.9 with no significant difference between disease subgroups. Pulmonary hypertension was detected in two cases, both with dSSc. Alpha1-antitrypsin was significantly higher in patients than in controls (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between disease subgroups, and correlated significantly with ground glass opacities in H RCT (P < 0.05) and the detection of diffusion defects (r= -0.61, P<0.01). No significant correlation was observed between skin score or degree of dyspnea with HRCT score, lung volume, or carbon monoxide diffusing capacity. CONCLUSION: Restrictive lung disease was more pronounced in patients with dSSc. Alpha1-antitrypsin levels correlated significantly with ground glass opacities, an early finding of pulmonary involvement in SSc. Extent and severity of skin involvement and degree of dyspnea were not related to pulmonary involvement.