01 April 2012
Intraregional differences in asthma prevalence and risk factors for asthma among adolescents in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
Ivan GudeljABDEFG, Iva Mrkić KobalBDEF, Helena Munivrana ŠkvorcBDEF, Kornelija MišeBDEF, Žarko VrbicaBDEF, Davor PlavecABCDEF, Neven TudorićABCDEFGDOI: 10.12659/MSM.882609
Med Sci Monit 2012; 18(4): PH43-50
Abstract
Background: Our aim was to assess the differences in intraregional prevalence of asthma in adolescents in Split-Dalmatia County to determine asthma risk factors in our population and estimate the specificity and sensitivity of the questionnaire used.
Material/Methods: We conducted the study using the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II short questionnaire supplemented by some questions from the International Study of Asthma in Childhood questionnaire. The participants suspected to have asthma were invited for examination by an asthma specialist who established the final diagnosis of asthma according to the medical history, physical examination, skin-prick tests, and peak flow measurements.
Results: A total of 4027 students (51.2% male) participated in the study. According to the prevalence of wheezing during the last 12 months, asthma prevalence was estimated at 9.7%. The total prevalence of asthma confirmed by an asthma specialist in the selected population was 5.60% (95% CI, 4.93–6.36%); 6.18% in Split (95% CI, 5.37-7.09), 5.63% in Imotski (95% CI, 3.48–8.58), and 2.90% in Sinj (95% CI, 1.67–4.68) (P=0.0028). We found sensitization to aeroallergens and peanuts, and active smoking to be independent risk factors for asthma.
Conclusions: Split-Dalmatia County has moderate asthma prevalence, with a significant intraregional difference. Asthma prevalence estimated by a questionnaire (9.7%) overestimates the prevalence of asthma confirmed by an asthma specialist (5.6%) in adolescents in Croatia. Our data confirmed the need of a more complex questionnaire to evaluate the accurate prevalence of current asthma or the need for subsequent clinical evaluation of the questionnaire obtained data. Allergic sensitization to aeroallergens and active smoking were important risk factors for asthma.
Keywords: Prevalence, Questionnaires, Croatia, Asthma - epidemiology, Adolescent, Risk Factors
882 0
Editorial
01 November 2023 : Editorial
Editorial: Factors Driving New Variants of SARS-CoV-2, Immune Escape, and Resistance to Antiviral Treatments as the End of the COVID-19 Pandemic is DeclaredDOI: 10.12659/MSM.942960
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e942960
In Press
30 Nov 2023 : Review article
Decoding the Neurological Sequelae of General Anesthesia: A ReviewMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942740
30 Nov 2023 : Clinical Research
Enhanced Pain Relief and Muscle Growth in Individuals with Low Back Instability: The Impact of Blood Flow R...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942508
29 Nov 2023 : Clinical Research
Comparative Analysis of Intramedullary Nail versus Plate Fixation for Fibula Fracture in Supination Externa...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.941909
29 Nov 2023 : Clinical Research
Impact of COVID-19 on Academic Burnout among Medical College Students in China: Findings from a Web-Based S...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942317
Most Viewed Current Articles
13 Nov 2021 : Clinical Research
Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology ...DOI :10.12659/MSM.932788
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e932788
30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research
Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
08 Mar 2022 : Review article
A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292