Childhood bronchial asthma and its associated factors: a study from a tertiary care teaching hospital of coastal Karnataka, India

Abstract

Background: Understanding of clinical profile and associated risk factors such as family history, exposure to smoke (indoor/outdoor), allergen, and others may help taking suitable and timely preventive measures. Therefore Aim: This study aims to find the clinical profile and associated factors with bronchial asthma among children from south India. Methods: This study was conducted at the Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College located at Manipal during 2013-2014. After taking detailed history, study subjects were taken and examined clinically on this basis for active wheeze/whistling. Relevant information on demography, environmental, and risk factors associated with asthma were noted. Results: 45.5% had symptoms suggestive of intermittent asthma, 28.7% had mild persistent asthma, and 21.9% had symptoms consistent with moderate persistent disease. 44.8% qualified as early onset asthma i.e. onset before 3 years of age. 75.9% children had h/o allergic diathesis; with allergic rhinitis being the most common manifestation (70.34%). Seasonal variation (81.3%) was the most commonly encountered triggering factor, followed by h/o preceding upper respiratory infection (80%), dust exposure (74.5%) and smoke exposure (62.7%). Conclusion: There was high prevalence of asthma among children in this study. The mean age at presentation and clinical profile of the early onset and late onset asthma groups was similar and comparable. Seasonal exacerbation of symptoms was the most common triggering event.