Reported Prevalence Of Asthma Research Articles

Demographics, Types of Patient-Reported Allergic Diseases, and Anaphylaxis in Mastocytosis: A Single-Center US Experience

BackgroundPatients with mastocytosis are at increased risk of anaphylaxis. Idiopathic anaphylaxis and venom induced allergy are commonly reported in mastocytosis, however the incidence of other allergies has been less well studied. ObjectiveWe sought to characterize the true prevalence of allergic disease including food, venom, contrast, and drug allergy compared to the number of patients that simply avoid potential triggers. We also gathered demographic information. MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of 259 consecutive pediatric and adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of either cutaneous or systemic mastocytosis who received care through the University of Michigan Health system from 1/1/2018 to 3/17/2021. ResultsMastocytosis was more prevalent in non-Hispanic white population. As compared to the general population, patients had similar rates of atopy and allergies with a slight increase in reported asthma prevalence. Overall prevalence of anaphylaxis was 28% and the great majority occurred in SM, with most common trigger being hymenoptera venoms. Most patients reported drug allergies preemptively in order to avoid exposure, particularly to NSAIDs. We also saw an increase in contrast-induced anaphylaxis compared to prior literature, and a lower prevalence of venom allergy as compared to European cohorts. ConclusionOur study characterizes the rate of common atopic conditions as well as allergies in a large cohort of patients with mastocytosis in the US. Anaphylaxis in CM is rare. Hymenoptera venoms were the most common trigger for anaphylaxis while drug allergies were overreported preemptively in order to avoid potential exposures due to concern for having a reaction.

A systematic review of the public health risks of bioaerosols from intensive farming.

Population growth, increasing food demands, and economic efficiency have been major driving forces behind farming intensification over recent decades. However, biological emissions (bioaerosols) from intensified livestock farming may have the potential to impact human health. Bioaerosols from intensive livestock farming have been reported to cause symptoms and/or illnesses in occupational-settings and there is concern about the potential health effects on people who live near the intensive farms. As well as adverse health effects, some potential beneficial effects have been attributed to farm exposures in early life. The aim of the study was to undertake a systematic review to evaluate potential for adverse health outcomes in populations living near intensive livestock farms. Two electronic databases (PubMed and Scopus) and bibliographies were searched for studies reporting associations between health outcomes and bioaerosol emissions related to intensive farming published between January 1960 and April 2017, including both occupational and community studies. Two authors independently assessed studies for inclusion and extracted data. Risk of bias was assessed using a customized score. 38 health studies met the inclusion criteria (21 occupational and 1 community study measured bioaerosol concentrations, 16 community studies using a proxy measure for exposure). The majority of occupational studies found a negative impact on respiratory health outcomes and increases in inflammatory biomarkers among farm workers exposed to bioaerosols. Studies investigating the health of communities living near intensive farms had mixed findings. All four studies of asthma in children found increased reported asthma prevalence among children living or attending schools near an intensive farm. Papers principally investigated respiratory and immune system outcomes. The review indicated a potential impact of intensive farming on childhood respiratory health, based on a small number of studies using self-reported outcomes, but supported by findings from occupational studies. Further research is needed to measure and monitor exposure in community settings and relate this to objectively measured health outcomes.

Prevalence and impact of asthma among school-aged students in Lima, Peru.

The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) reported asthma prevalence in Peru to be among the highest in the world. We assessed the prevalence and morbidity of self-reported asthma in an underserved, peri-urban area of Lima, Peru, with limited medical access. The study was conducted in the outskirts of Lima from March to May 2011. Five hundred children aged 6-18 years were selected through cluster sampling. Parents completed a modified version of the ISAAC questionnaire. Children underwent spirometry testing. Those with a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1% predicted) 80% were tested for reversibility using salbutamol. Of the 500 children selected, 71% participated. The prevalence of asthma was 16.7%. Asthma symptoms were associated with self-reported asthma (P < 0.001); 52.5% of children with asthma had ever used an inhaler (P < 0.001), and 27.1% had never been to the doctor for respiratory problems (P < 0.001). We found a high prevalence of self-reported asthma and high morbidity related to asthma symptoms in the previous 12 months among the study cohort. Symptoms were poorly controlled due to limited availability of medication and access to medical services.

A survey of asthma management practices and implementation of Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines among doctors in a resource-limited setting in Nigeria.

Bronchial asthma is a global health problem that causes significant morbidity and mortality in all age groups. Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) seeks to standardize the care asthma patients receive. We assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices of doctors in Umuahia, Southeast Nigeria, regarding asthma and determined the extent to which they abide by GINA guidelines in their management of asthma. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from the participants regarding knowledge of asthma prevalence, asthma risk factors, and management practices. Out of 142 questionnaires administered, 117 were retrieved giving a response rate of 82%. About 70% were men, and the most common age group was 30-39 years (57.3%). The median duration of medical practice was 6 (3-12) years. About 77% reported asthma prevalence to be on the increase. While 105 (89.7%) respondents had seen a spirometer, only 28 (23.9%) use spirometry in asthma diagnosis. Similarly, 95 (81.2%) had seen a peak flow meter, but only 41 (35.5%) use it in asthma diagnosis. Only 7 (6.0%) respondents reported that their patients keep a peak flow diary. Of 117 respondents, 94 (80.3%) know about GINA guidelines for asthma control, 45 (38.5%) apply GINA guidelines in patient care, 86 (73.5%) regularly review patient inhaler technique, 33 (28.2%) use adult asthma control test while 17 (14.5%) regularly review asthma action plan with patients. There is a wide gap between GINA guidelines and the knowledge, attitude, and practices of doctors in Umuahia regarding asthma management. Improvement and standardization of asthma care are recommended.

School-Based Pediatric Asthma Surveillance in Massachusetts From 2005 to 2009

Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children today, yet surveillance is limited to national and state estimates which can vary over time, by location and by population types. This article describes a comprehensive statewide school-based asthma surveillance program and examine 5 years of surveillance data. After pilot testing, a 1-page survey was mailed to school nurses in all public, private, and charter schools in Massachusetts. Variables measured included the number of students with a diagnosis of asthma by sex, grade (K-8), race/ethnicity by school and by community of residence. The participation rate increased each year, and by the 5th year it was nearly 100%. The reported asthma prevalence was 10.6% (averaged for the 5-year period) and noted to be higher among males each year. This work provides evidence that a school-based pediatric asthma surveillance system can be developed and successfully implemented. The feasibility of using school health records, as an accessible data source to readily identify asthma cases can provide reliable aggregate community-based pediatric asthma prevalence information.

The Association of Health Insurance and Disease Impairment with Reported Asthma Prevalence in U.S. Children

To test the hypotheses that reported asthma prevalence is higher among insured than uninsured children and that insurance-based differences in asthma diagnosis, treatment, and health care utilization are associated with disease severity. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003-2008. We used multivariate logistic regression to examine the relationship between insurance and asthma symptom severity with asthma diagnosis, treatment, and acute care utilization. In multivariate analysis, insured children had greater odds of reporting a current diagnosis of asthma than uninsured children (odds ratio [OR]=2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.47-2.94). When interactions between insurance and asthma impairment were included, insurance was associated with greater odds of diagnosis among children with intermittent (OR=4.08, 95% CI: 1.57-10.61), but not persistent, symptoms. Among children with intermittent symptoms, insurance was associated with inhaled corticosteroid use (OR=4.51, 95% CI: 1.18-17.24) and asthma-related acute care utilization (OR=5.21, 95% CI: 1.21-23.53); these associations were nonsignificant among children with persistent symptoms. Being insured increases only the likelihood that a child with intermittent, not persistent, asthma symptoms will receive an asthma diagnosis and control medication, and it may not reduce acute care utilization. Although universal insurance may increase detection and management of undiagnosed childhood asthma, theorized cost savings from reduced acute care utilization might not materialize.

Contribution of race/ethnicity and country of origin to variations in lifetime reported asthma: evidence for a nativity advantage.

We assessed the relative contribution of Hispanic ethnicity, country of origin, and nativity to lifetime prevalence of asthma among mothers and children enrolled in the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods. We used multilevel models to analyze data from wave 3 of the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods study (2000 to 2001). Mothers reported physician-diagnosed asthma for themselves and their children. Maternal race, ethnicity, country of origin, and nativity were the predictors of interest. We found substantial heterogeneity in lifetime asthma within Hispanic subgroups for mothers and children. Hispanics of non-Mexican origin had greater odds of having asthma than did non-Hispanic Whites; respondents of Mexican origin did not differ from non-Hispanic Whites. Odds of experiencing asthma were more strongly related to nativity than to race, Hispanic ethnicity, or country of origin. Only immigrant Mexicans reported asthma prevalence lower than that of native non-Hispanic Whites. Nativity is a strong predictor of lifetime asthma prevalence, suggesting the importance of potential interactions between genetic susceptibilities and environmental factors in both the native and the host countries.

No reduction in risk in childhood asthma/allergy symptoms found with longer breast-feeding

No reduction in risk in childhood asthma/allergy symptoms found with longer breast-feeding

The High Prevalence of Rhinitis, Rhinoconjunctivitis, and Eczema in Costa Rican Schoolchildren Studied with the ISAAC Protocol

The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence and severity of allergic rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in Costa Rican schoolchildren. We have reported asthma prevalence in the same cohort elsewhere. A questionnaire based survey was conducted on a random sample of children (n = 6144), aged 6-7 years and 13-14 years from 75 educational centers throughout Costa Rica, using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) protocol. The prevalence in the 6- to 7-year-old group of was 32.7%, in the last 12 months 26.6%, and rhinoconjunctivitis 12.1%. In the 13- to 14-yearold group, the presence of was 39.2%, in the last 12 months 30.9% and rhinoconjunctivitis 14.8, showing significantly higher figures for the older group (p = 0.001, p = 0.0001, p = 0.001). The prevalence of ever having had a diagnosis of rhinitis (by a physician) was 5.9% and 4.8% in the two age groups (NS). Children were more affected during the rainy season, M...

Trends in asthma prevalence: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

Epidemiologic surveys from different parts of the developed world are showing increases in asthma prevalence; the causes are not known. To describe trends in prevalence of childhood asthma measured across serial cross-sectional surveys of the school age population of Bogalusa, Louisiana. The Bogalusa Heart Study is a long-term epidemiologic study of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in children in a stable, semirural, biracial community. Part of the examination includes a parent-completed health history questionnaire. The item, "Does your child have or has your child had in the past...asthma?" was included in the 1983-5, 1987-8, and 1992-4 surveys. Data analysis was restricted to subjects aged 5 to 17 years. Three thousand two hundred seventy-six subjects participated in 1983-5, 3256 in 1987-8, and 3128 in 1992-4. Reported asthma prevalence increased from 9.2% to 15.9% between 1983-5 and 1992-4. Maternal smoking was associated with asthma in all three surveys. Young age and African American ethnicity were associated with asthma only in the 1992-4 survey. The prevalence of asthma among the school age population of Bogalusa, Louisiana increased by 73% between the 1983-5 and the 1992-4 surveys. Whether the increase in asthma prevalence represents an increase in disease presence or an increase in disease recognition cannot be determined from these data.