Prevalência de asma e rinite em adolescentes de 13 e 14 anos de Fortaleza avaliada pelo método ISAAC.

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2009

RESUMO

Asthma and rhinitis are the main chronic disorders among children and adolescents. These diseases have a significant negative impact on quality of life. Its prevalence has been increasing for the last few decades. Information about asthma and rhinitis in Northeast Brazil is still few. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of asthma and rhinitis symptoms in 13 to 14-year old school children in Fortaleza, Northeastern Brazil. Method: Questionnaires based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood were filled out by 3,015 adolescents attending private and public schools between April 2006 and November 2007. Results: The prevalence of wheezing ever, active wheezing and diagnosed asthma was, respectively, 44.1%, 22.6% and 11,6%. The report of "4 or more episodes of wheezing in the last year" and "wheezing with limit speech" was recorded by 2.3% and 3.5% of the population, respectively. Wheezing after exercise and "nocturnal dry cough" were reported, respectively, by 25.2% and 34.4% of those surveyed. The prevalence of "cumulative rhinitis," "current rhinitis," "rhinoconjunctivitis" and "diagnosed rhinitis" were respectively 56.7%, 43.2%, 18.7% and 20.2%, while 24% reported interference of nasal symptoms with daily activities. Most asthma and rhinitis symptoms occurred in females and among adolescents from private schools. The study showed a strong association of symptoms of asthma to the symptoms of rhinitis and vice versa, and that 14.5% of the study population reported the presence of concurrent active asthma and rhinitis. Conclusions: The prevalence of asthma and rhinitis symptoms among 13 to 14-year old students in Fortaleza were above national averages, with predominance among females and among adolescents of the private school. Asthma-related morbidity in Fortaleza was smaller than the Brazilian average, but rhinitis-related morbidity was higher than the Brazilian average. The study found a strong association of asthma symptoms to rhinitis symptoms and vice-versa. Furthermore, asthma and rhinitis were found to be underdiagnosed in our area.

ASSUNTO(S)

asma prevalência. adolescente prevalence. rhinitis saude coletiva adolescents epidemiology asthma epidemiologia rinite

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