Identification of asthma risk factors in Mexico City in an International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood survey.

The International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC) has assessed the prevalence of asthma, as well as the factors related to the disease in different countries. The aim of this study was to identify asthma risks factors in Mexico City. Data were obtained from questionnaires of children participating in a phase 3b ISAAC survey. Two thousand ninety-eight boys and 2008 girls were recruited in the 6- to 7-year-old group and 3243 boy and 3333 girls were recruited in the 13- to 14-year-old group. Logistic regression was used to determine the asthma risks factors. In the logistic regression for cumulative and current asthma prevalence, the variables allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis were the most important risk factors with the highest odds ratios (OR > 1.5; p < 0.05). The use of antibiotics and paracetamol in the first 12 months of life were related to cumulative asthma in both genders in the 6- to 7-year-old group. Contact of pregnant mother with farm animals was positively related with cumulative asthma in boys in the 6- to 7-year-old group. The main factors associated with the cumulative and current prevalence of asthma in both age groups were atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. Future interventions for the prevention and early diagnosis and treatment could be focused in the natural history of the atopic march.

Obesity risk factors in the ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) in Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) has promoted surveys in asthma and allergic diseases using standardized methodologies including validated questionnaires. Many items in the questionnaires have also been implied in the overweight and obesity etiology. OBJECTIVE: To describe the factors associated with obesity in subjects of 6-7 years and 13-14 years in the ISAAC survey in Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were obtained from questionnaires of children participating in a phase 3b ISAAC survey. Logistic regression was used to determine the obesity risks factors. RESULTS: The factors related to obesity were weekly consumption of meat (+, positive relationship), vegetables, pasta, rice (+) and quartiles of birth weight (+) in boys of 6-7 years. Having suffered eczema at any time, weekly consumption of fruit, pasta, butter, nuts, potato (+), fast food (+), daily TV viewing (+) in girls of 6-7years. Having suffered eczema at any time, weekly consumption of pasta (+), butter, potato, weekly physical exercise in boys of 13-14 years; weekly consumption of pasta, margarine, milk, fast food (+), currently smoking in girls of 13-14 years. CONCLUSIONS: There were not common factor patterns for the different groups, birth weight, fast food, TV viewing and lack of exercise have been previously related to pediatric obesity. Asthma was not associated with a higher risk of obesity but medical history of eczema was associated with lower risk of obesity in the 6-7 years girls, and 13-14 years boys. The present study provides the bases for future epidemiological studies and gives some clues on possible public health actions.

[Efficacy of mequitazine (Primalan) on the relief of symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in children. Documented clinical experience]. / Eficacia de la mequitazina (Primalan) en el alivio de los síntomas de la rinoconjuntivitis alérgica en niños. Experiencia clínica documentada.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy of mequitazina in the relieve of symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An open, non comparative, national multicenter study (performed by pediatricians, oto-rhino-laryngologists and allergists of different states of Mexico), in order to describe the clinical experience related to treatmente efficacy with oral mequitazina in pediatric formulation about diminished characteristic symptoms of allergic rhinitis, assessed by the physician and patient. RESULTS: Physicians considered that efficacy was excellent in 42% of patients, very good in 38%, good in 16%, regular in 3% and bad in 0.2%. Patients assessed as: excellent in 47% of patients, very good in 35%, good in 15%, regular in 2% and bad in 1%. Only 5% of patients experienced adverse effects, which were transient and did not need treatment withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Mequitazina is an option to relieve symptoms of patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Tratamiento de la rinitis alergica con Ketotifeno: estudio doble ciego vs. placebo / Treatment of allergic rhinitis with ketotifen: a double-blind study vs. placebo

Se incluyeron en un estudio doble ciego comparativo contra placebo 29 pacientes de ambos sexos con Rinitis Alérgica, 15 de los cuales recibieron ketotifeno 1 mg cada 12 horas durante 3 meses y 14 placebo de apariencia idéntica al principio activo. Al final de tratamiento se observó una disminución en la frecuencia de la sintomatología en el grupo Ketotifeno, la cual fue estadísticamente significativa (p<0.001), permaneciendo el grupo placebo sin cambio a lo largo del estudio. La intensidad de la rinorrea, prurito y obstrucción nasal, así como la frecuencia de estornudos y tos, descendieron en el grupo Ketotifeno, siendo la diferencia con el grupo placebo estadísticamente significativa. Se observaron efectos secundarios tales como somnolencia y cefalea en 5 y 2 pacientes del grupo Ketotifeno, siendo leves y de carácter transitorio; en el grupo placebo se observó somnolencia y cefalea leves y transitorios en 6 casos. Se concluye que el Ketotifeno es un medicamento útil para el tratamiento de la rinitis alérgica