Asthma in adolescents - Prevalence trends and associated factors in northeast Brazil

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Asthma is the most common chronic disease affecting children and adolescents (AD). We evaluated the prevalence of asthma and associated factors in adolescents living in a developing region in northeast Brazil using the ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) methodology. METHODS: According to the ISAAC protocol, AD (13-14 year olds, n = 3,043 in 2003 and 3,009 in 2011-12) answered the standardised written questionnaire by themselves. In addition, in 2011-12 a random sample of these AD (n = 430) also answered a complementary questionnaire (associated factors) and underwent a skin prick test with aeroallergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Blomia tropicalis, Blatella germanica, Periplaneta americana, dog dander, cat dander, mixed grass pollen and mixed moulds, including 10 mg/mL histamine and negative controls). Data were analysed by univariate and multivariate analysis using Poisson regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of asthma in 2011-12 in Aracaju was 12.8%, which is lower than that recorded in 2003 (18.7%). Individuals with a dog outside the home (PR = 0.93; 95%CI = 0.88-0.98; p = 0.018) and those with an older sibling (PR = 0.94; 95%CI = 0.91-0.98; p = 0.005) were identified as protective. The presence of smokers in the residence (PR = 1.04; 95%CI = 1.00-1.09; p = 0.039) was associated with an increased risk of developing asthma. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of asthma was significantly lower than the last ISAAC figures reported for Aracaju. Tobacco smoking, a preventable factor, continues to be associated with an increase in the occurrence of asthma and other associations may concur with the hygiene hypothesis:

RESUMEN

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