Self‐reported prevalence and risk factors of asthma among Korean adolescents: 5‐year follow‐up study, 1995–2000

Abstract

SummaryObjectives The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaires have shown that the prevalence of childhood asthma is increasing worldwide. Although Asian countries used to have lower prevalence rates of allergic disease than Western countries, this prevalence is increasing in several Asian countries. To determine whether the prevalence of childhood asthma is changing in Korean adolescents, we compared findings from nationwide cross-sectional surveys in 1995 and 2000 on populations of middle-school children using the Korean version of the ISAAC questionnaire. Methods We developed Korean versions of the ISAAC written (WQ) and video (AVQ) questionnaires for allergic diseases. In 1995, the enrolled population consisted of 15 481 children, ages 12-15, and encompassing all three grades in middle school, selected from 34 schools across the nation; the response rate was 97.3%. In 2000, 15 894 children were selected from 31 of the same schools, and the response rate was 96.4%. The SAS system version 8.0 was utilized for all statistical analyses. Results The WQ showed that the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of wheeze did not change from 1995 to 2000. While the 12-month prevalence rates of sleep disturbed by wheezing and night cough increased, the rates of severe attack of wheezing and exercise-induced wheeze did not change, over this period of time. The lifetime prevalence of asthma diagnosis, however, increased significantly, from 2.7% in 1995 to 5.3% in 2000, as did the 12-month prevalence of asthma treatment, from 1.0% in 1995 to 1.9% in 2000. The AVQ also showed increases in the lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates of wheeze at rest, exercise-induced wheeze, nocturnal wheeze, nocturnal cough, and severe wheeze over this period of time. These were especially because of significant increases in the Provincial cities of Korea. Interestingly, the 12-month prevalence of wheeze was consistently high in Cheju with low air pollution indices, whereas this rate was low in Ulsan and Ansan with very high air pollution indices. Risk factor analysis showed that body mass index (BMI), passive smoking, and living with a dog or cat, but not air pollution, were associated with higher risk of wheeze. Conclusions In the 5-year period from 1995 to 2000, the prevalence of asthma symptoms has increased in Korean adolescents, much of it because of increases in Provincial Centers. BMI, passive smoking, and living with a dog or cat are important risk factors. Environmental factors other than air pollution may be associated with increases in asthma, especially in Provincial Centers.

Evaluation of the prevalence of atopic diseases by ISAAC surveys in the primary school children of Sivas

“…BMI was found to be a risk factor for asthma in the 2005 survey, but not in the 1997 survey. Many studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between obesity or BMI and asthma [21][22][23]. Our findings agree with other studies, showing that BMI is going to be an important risk factor for asthma in Turkish children.…”

“…Family history of atopic disease and living with a dog or cat were important risk factors for the development of asthma in both the 1997 and 2005 surveys. It is well known that asthma symptoms are triggered by animal allergens [21]. It has been observed that a family history of atopic disease constitutes an important factor in the genetic background.…”

Prevalence of Allergic Disease in Korean Adults: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010–2012)

“…The first phase investigated the prevalence of allergic diseases and of related symptoms; the second phase investigated risk factors affecting the prevalence of asthma; and the third phase investigated prevalence at least five years after the previous stages [5]. In South Korea (hereafter Korea), same methodological studies were conducted in 1995 [6], and 2000 [7]. Following the study in 2000, an additional epidemiological survey was conducted on a nationwide scale in 2010 [8][9][10].…”

Gene-environment interaction between Toll-like receptor 4 and mold exposure in the development of atopic dermatitis in preschool children

“…26) The questionnaire consists of three main sections: 1) general characteristics including names, sex, date of birth, height, and weight; 2) a history of symptoms related to asthma, allergic rhinitis, AD, allergic conjunctivitis and food allergy; and 3) exposure to environmental factors associated with allergic disease. The Korean version of the ISSAC questionnaire was completed by parents or guardians of the preschool children.…”