Prevalences of asthma and rhinitis among adolescents in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil: temporal changes

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalences of asthma and rhinitis in adolescents (13-14 years of age) in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2010, comparing the results with those obtained in a prevalence survey conducted in 2006-2007. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving probabilistic samples of 3,015 and 3,020 adolescents in surveys conducted in 2006-2007 and 2010, respectively. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood protocol was used on both occasions. RESULTS: Comparing the two periods, there were no significant differences regarding cumulative wheezing, active asthma, four or more wheezing attacks within the last year, sleep disturbed by wheezing more than one night per week, and speech-limiting wheezing. The prevalences of exercise-induced wheezing, dry cough at night, and physician-diagnosed asthma were significantly higher in 2010 than in the 2006-2007 period (p < 0.01 for all). The prevalence of physician-diagnosed rhinitis was significantly lower in 2010 (p = 0.01), whereas there were no significant differences between the two periods regarding cumulative rhinitis, current rhinitis, and rhinoconjunctivitis. In both periods, dry cough at night, current rhinitis, and rhinoconjunctivitis were significantly more prevalent in females than in males (p < 0.01 for all). Also in both periods, active asthma, current rhinitis, and rhinoconjunctivitis were more prevalent in private school students than in public school students (p < 0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that the prevalences of asthma and rhinitis symptoms remain high among 13- and 14-year-olds in Fortaleza, predominantly among females and private school students.

Sex-Related Allergic Rhinitis Prevalence Switch from Childhood to Adulthood: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…However, little is known about the predominating sex in the prevalence of rhinitis in the pre- and postpubertal phases. During adolescence, by comparison to boys, the prevalence of rhinitis is higher in girls in Saudi Arabia and Brazil [7,8] and lower in Iran [9] and Kuwait [10]. …”

Gender differences in the perception of asthma and respiratory symptoms in a population sample of asthma patients in four Brazilian cities

“…( 19 ) In two other studies conducted in Brazil, girls aged 13-14 years had more respiratory symptoms than did boys of the same age. ( 20 , 21 ) However, there are still few studies investigating the frequency of attacks, the impact of asthma, and the intensity of symptoms that affect men and women differently. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate, in a population sample of asthma patients in Brazil, the possibility of gender differences in five asthma domains: symptoms; impact of asthma on quality of life; perception of asthma control; exacerbations; and treatment/medication.…”

Original research articles on the cardiopulmonary system recently appeared in Brazilian clinical and surgical journals

“…aSthma Epidemiology. It is the object of six papers [86][87][88][89][90][91] . Three papers describe the prevalence and characteristics of asthma in Spain and in Latin America 86 , in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza 87 , and in the Amazonian region 88 .…”

“…It is the object of six papers [86][87][88][89][90][91] . Three papers describe the prevalence and characteristics of asthma in Spain and in Latin America 86 , in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza 87 , and in the Amazonian region 88 . They all conclude that the management of the disease is suboptimal both in terms of diagnosis and treatment.…”