A 17-year study of the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases among children in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

RATIONALE: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases among children in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A total of 1678 randomly selected schoolchildren comprising of 51.6% males (mean age 11.62 + 3.08 years) and 48.4% females (mean age 11.79 + 3.21) was recruited in a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study during the year 2002 in three regions. Results of the present study were compared with the previously published data from two similar surveys conducted in 1986 and 1995 to establish the prevalence trend for asthma and atopic disorders in the Kingdom over a period of 17 years RESULTS: Significantly higher prevalence rates (p ≤ 0.0001) for asthma, rhinitis and eczema were noted in the eastern region (Hofuf) (33.7%, 48.2% and 43.5%) compared to central region (Riyadh) (17.7%, 29% and 32.6%) and western region (Jeddah) (14.1%, 24.3% and 31.9%), respectively. A comparison of the present cumulative prevalence rates for childhood asthma (21.7%), rhinitis (33.8%) and eczema (36%) with those of the past shows that after an initial sharp rise between 1986 and 1995 asthma has reached a plateau. Allergic rhinitis, on the other hand, shows a steady upward course, however, eczema for the first time, has shown a dramatic increase over a period of 17 years CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of childhood atopic diseases like asthma, rhinitis and eczema was exceptionally high in the eastern. Although a strong association among allergic diseases is well known, yet long-term prevalence trend for each disorder is variable among atopic children.