Symptoms In Schoolchildren Research Articles

Influencia del nivel socioeconómico (NSE) en el asma bronquial y cambios en su prevalencia en población escolar en un periodo de 6 años

Asthma prevalence is increasing worldwide, especially in developing countries.To determine the prevalence of asthma diagnosis and related symptoms in children, its changes during a 6-year period and the influence exerted by socioeconomic status.Cross-sectional study conducted among school children of Santiago. A sample of 4,561 children aged 6-7 and 13-14 years attending public schools (central district, medium-low and low socioeconomic status) and private schools (eastern districts, high socioecomic status) were surveyed. Dependent variables were asthma diagnosis (AD), wheezing during the last 12 months (WHE12) and frequency of episodes of wheezing (FEW). Prevalence odds ratios were calculated using regression models, adjusted for several confounding variables.AD prevalence for the group as a whole was higher in boys than in girls (13.2% and 10.8%, respectively p =0.016). Prevalence rate of AD was also higher for children aged 13-14 than 6-7 years (13.8% and 10.1%, respectively p <0.01). An inverse association was found between SES and WHE12. Higher maternal education level was associated with lower prevalence of WHE12 in both age groups and with lower prevalence of FEW in 6-7 year-old children. Paternal education level was positively associated with AD among younger children. At the central district, increasing trends of WHE12 and FEW prevalence were observed during 1994-2000 among 6-7 years children.A significant association was observed between socioeconomic status, asthma diagnosis and symptoms in school children living in Santiago. Data support an increasing trend of asthma prevalence and severity among 6-7 year-old children during the period 1994-2000.

P01-01 The prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms in school children: A highly consanguineous community

Objective:The objective of the present study was to find the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity (ADH) symptoms in a highly consanguineous community.Design:A cross sectional study was conducted during October 2006 - January 2007.Subjects and methods:A total of 2500 primary school students, aged 6-12 years were randomly selected from the government primary schools and 1869 students (74.8%) gave consent to participate in this study.Results:Of the students surveyed, 50.7% were boys and 49.3% girls. The data revealed that 158 boys [16.7%; 95%CI (14.4-19.2] and 50 girls [5.4%;95%CI (4.1-7.1)] scored above the cut-off (≥15) for ADH symptoms, thus giving an overall prevalence of [11.1%; 95%CI (9.7-12.6)]. The Children who had higher score for ADH symptoms were in the age group 6-9 years. Children who had higher score for ADH symptoms had school performance poorer than those with lower scores (P=0.002). 200 children (96.2%) with ADH were disobedient, 60.6% noisy and hyperactive, 36.5% very cranky, 37.5% troublesome and 37.9% nervous. The logistic regression identified in our study that socio-economic condition, number of children, school performance and poor relationship between parents were the main contributors for ADH. This shows that the consanguinity has no impact on ADH children.Conclusion:The study revealed that ADH symptoms are found to be a common problem among the school children in Qatar. A significant difference was found between children with and without ADHD for their behaviour.

Investigation of association between indoor environmental factors and allergic symptoms in school children

Investigation of association between indoor environmental factors and allergic symptoms in school children

The Association of BMI and Sedentary Time with Respiratory Symptoms and Asthma in 5th Grade Schoolchildren in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

This study aimed to evaluate the association of body fatness and sedentary status with asthma and respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. A questionnaire study elicited episodes of respiratory symptoms and data on lifestyle and anthropometric parameters in 1329 5th grade schoolchildren. Results showed that 12.4% of boys and 9.5% of girls had physician-diagnosed asthma, whereas 15.1% of boys and 12.4% of girls had suspected asthma. Significantly greater proportions of boys had non-exercise-induced respiratory symptoms than girls (p < 0.05). The number of respiratory symptoms was positively correlated with TV-watching time per day and self-reported sedentary time per weekend-day in girls (p < 0.05). Underweight was positively associated with one of the seven respiratory symptoms in girls (p < 0.05). At risk of overweight was positively associated with two of the seven respiratory symptoms in boys and one of the seven respiratory symptoms in girls (all p < 0.05). The risk of having physician-diagnosed asthma and suspected asthma increased 93% and 72%, respectively, in schoolchildren at risk of overweight (p < 0.05). Overweight was associated with a 78% increase in physician-diagnosed asthma (adjusted odd ratio (aOR) = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.08–2.91, p < 0.05). Higher sedentary time was significantly associated with more occurrences of one of the seven respiratory symptoms in girls (aOR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.00–1.11, p < 0.05). Higher body mass index (BMI) was significantly correlated with longer TV-watching time per day in girls and longer self-reported sedentary time per weekday in boys (p < 0.05). In summary, schoolchildren who are at risk of overweight or overweight and/or have more sedentary time have increased risk of respiratory symptoms and asthma. Weight and sedentary statuses of schoolchildren can affect their respiratory health.

Time trend for the prevalence of asthma among school children in a Swedish district in 1985–2005

To assess the temporal trend for asthma and asthma-like symptoms over a period of 20 years. Repeated cross-sectional surveys with identical study design were carried out among all school children (7-16 years) in a well-defined area in Sweden in 1985, 1995 and 2005. In 2005, the parents of 1110 out of 7825 children (14.2%) answered yes to a screening question on asthmatic symptoms. Of these, 783 out of 1110 (70.5%) replied to a postal questionnaire with detailed questions concerning symptoms and asthma management. The rate of affirmative response to the screening question was unchanged between 1995 and 2005. However, the percentage of children with wheezing or three or more asthma-like symptoms decreased, whereas the percentage of children with physician-diagnosed asthma increased steadily since 1985. The number of reported symptoms was closely associated with the number of days with physical restriction. The annual sale of inhaled steroids from local pharmacies was stable between 1995 and 2005. The increase in asthmatic symptoms in school children has peaked. Reduced severity of symptoms and divergent trends for wheezing and physician-diagnosed asthma suggest an increased awareness of asthma with improved management of the symptoms. However, differences in trends between allergic and nonallergic asthma could not be excluded.

The Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Symptoms in Schoolchildren in a Highly Consanguineous Community

Objective: The objective of the present study was to find the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity (ADH) symptoms in a sample of primary schoolchildren in Qatar and investigate the behaviour of the children with and without ADH symptoms in a highly consanguineous community. Subjects and Methods: A total of 2,500 primary school students, aged 6–12 years, were randomly selected from the government primary schools, and 1,869 students (947 boys and 922 girls) gave consent to participate in this study. An Arabic questionnaire was used to collect the sociodemographic variables and a standardized Arabic version of the Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale for ADH symptoms. Results: Of the 947 boys, 158 (16.7%; 95% confidence interval, CI, 14.4–19.2) and of the 922 girls, 50 (5.4%; 95% CI 4.1–7.1) scored above the cut-off (≧15) for ADH symptoms, thus giving an overall prevalence of 11.1% (95% CI 9.7–12.6). The children who had higher scores for ADH symptoms were in the age group of 6–9 years. Children who had higher scores for ADH symptoms had a poorer school performance than those with lower scores (p = 0.002). Two hundred (96.2%) children with ADH were disobedient, 126 (60.6%) noisy and hyperactive, 76 (36.5%) very cranky, 78 (37.5%) troublesome and 79 (37.9%) nervous. The logistic regression identified socio-economic condition, number of children, school performance and poor relationship between parents as the main contributors to ADH. Although the univariate analysis showed a significant relationship (p = 0.010) between ADH symptoms and consanguineous parents, logistic regression did not support this association (p = 0.075). This suggests that consanguinity has no impact on ADH children. Conclusion: The study revealed that ADH is a common problem among schoolchildren. The children with higher scores for ADH symptoms had a poorer school performance than those with lower scores. A significant difference exists between the behaviour of children with and without ADH.

Respiratory symptoms of school children and their home environment in Northern Transdanubia, Hungary

This cross-sectional study covering all children visiting third grade classes with more than ten children in any elementary school of Hungary used parent-completed questionnaires on the children's present and past health condition, the parents' respiratory health and smoking habits, the home environment and the families' socio-economic status. Around 6670 children from the Northern-Transdanubian region were included in the present analysis using multiple logistic regression. The prevalence of children with bronchitic and asthmatic symptoms was 14.7% and 16.6%, respectively. The prevalence of asthma ever diagnosed by a physician was 7.2% and that of a doctor-diagnosed allergy was 21.3%. Heating with coal or wood, industrial emissions in the neighbourhood, outdoor and indoor use of pesticides, air conditioners, new wallpaper or plastic floor cover and carpets in the child's room and mould growth were found to be the strongest determinants of respiratory or allergic symptoms of the children in the home.

Smoking and asthma-like symptoms in schoolchildren

Smoking and asthma-like symptoms in schoolchildren

Prevalence of allergy, patterns of allergic sensitization and allergy risk factors in rural and urban children

We aimed to compare the prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitization in children living in urban and rural areas and to identify potential risk/protection factors associated with allergy. School children 12-16 years old, from urban community (n = 201) and rural area (n = 203) were recruited. The data obtained by questionnaire were referred to doctors' diagnosis, skin prick tests (SPTs), and serum specific and total IgE assessment. The prevalence of allergic diseases in urban children was significantly higher as compared with rural children [asthma 16.42%vs 1.97% (P < 0.001) allergic rhinitis 38.81%vs 10.84% (P < 0.001)]. Positive SPTs to at least one allergen was found in 63.7% of urban and 22.7% rural children (P < 0.001). Significantly higher percentage of allergic rural than urban children were monosensitized or sensitized to 2-4 allergens, but almost a fourfold higher percentage of allergic urban children was found to be sensitized to five or more allergens (P < 0.0001). The history of frequent upper respiratory factor (URT) infections, antibiotic therapy, tonsiltectomy/adenoidectomy were positively associated with development of atopy and sensitization. Our findings confirm that residence of rural area is associated with a significant lower prevalence of allergic sensitization and symptoms in school children. Several risk and protective factors related to environment and style of life could be identified in both environments.

Factors Associated with Asthma Symptoms in Schoolchildren from Greece: The Physical Activity, Nutrition and Allergies in Children Examined in Athens (PANACEA) Study

To evaluate whether dietary habits and anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics are associated with the prevalence of asthma symptoms, a sample of 700 Greek schoolchildren were evaluated through a standardized questionnaire. Body height and weight were measured, and body mass index was calculated. Multiple logistic regression and multivariate techniques (principal components analysis) were performed. Overall lifetime prevalence for asthma symptoms was found to be 23.7%. Increased body weight, sedentary lifestyle, and consumption of sulphur-dioxide-enriched foods and beverages seem to promote asthma symptoms, while avoidance of this chemical preservative and physical activity was associated with reduced odds of reporting asthma symptoms.

児童(6～12才)の化学物質過敏症様症状に関するアンケート調査

児童(6～12才)の化学物質過敏症様症状に関するアンケート調査

The Association of Diet with Respiratory Symptoms and Asthma in Schoolchildren in Taipei, Taiwan

This study aimed to evaluate the association of diet with respiratory symptoms and asthma in schoolchildren in Taipei, Taiwan. An in-class interview survey elicited experiences of asthma and respiratory symptoms and consumption frequencies of the major food categories in 2290 fifth graders. Respiratory symptoms surveyed included persistent cough, chest tightness, wheezing with cold, wheezing without cold, dyspnea-associated wheezing, and exercise-induced cough or wheezing. Results showed that the consumption of sweetened beverages had the strongest association with respiratory symptoms and was positively associated with six of the seven respiratory symptoms (all p < 0.05). The adjusted odds ratios (aOR) ranged from 1.05 (95% confidence interval (CI = 1.01–1.09) for exercise-induced cough to 1.09 (95% CI = 1.03–1.16) for wheezing without cold. Egg consumption was associated with 5 of the 7 respiratory symptoms. Consumptions of seafood, soy products, and fruits were each negatively associated with one of the seven respiratory symptoms (all p < 0.05). Consumption of seafood was negatively associated with physician-diagnosed asthma and consumptions of sweetened beverages and eggs were positively associated with suspected asthma (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the study suggests that diet is associated with the respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren in Taipei. Consumptions of sweetened beverages and eggs are associated with increased risk of respiratory symptoms and asthma whereas consumptions of soy products and fruits are associated with reduced risk of respiratory symptoms.

Associations of BMI, TV-Watching Time, and Physical Activity on Respiratory Symptoms and Asthma in 5th Grade Schoolchildren in Taipei, Taiwan

The study evaluated the associations of body fatness, TV-watching time, and physical activity with the occurrences of asthma and respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren in Taipei, Taiwan. A questionnaire survey was conducted to elicit episodes of respiratory symptoms and data on lifestyle and anthropometric factors in 2290 5th-grade schoolchildren. Results show that overweight was positively associated with 5 of the 7 respiratory symptoms. The risk of having respiratory symptoms increased 47%–94% in overweight schoolchildren. Watching TV ≥ 3 hrs/day was associated with more occurrences of respiratory symptoms (aOR = 1.42–1.90). Physical activity ≥3 times/week was associated with fewer occurrences of respiratory symptoms (aOR = 0.66–0.73). Overweight was positively associated with an increased risk of suspected asthma in boys (aOR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.07–2.29), but not in girls. In summary, overweight and greater TV-watching time increase the risk of respiratory symptoms, while habitual physical activity decreases the risk of respiratory symptoms. Weight status, sedentary life, and frequency of physical exercise are the factors that can impact on the respiratory health of schoolchildren.

Prevalência de asma no Distrito Federal Brasília

I congratulate the authors on their article “Prevalence of bronchial asthma and related symptoms in schoolchildren in the Federal District of Brazil: correlations with socioeconomic levels” which enriches the knowledge of the epidemiology of asthma in Brazil.(1) I would like to make a few comments regarding the article. First, despite the fact that the sampling was probabilistic and the sample was apparently representative, the substitution of incomplete questionnaires with those from other students from the same schools could have created a selection bias, creating a sample consisting of participants that were more interested in filling out the questionnaires, whether because they were more well educated or because they were asthmatic. Second, the interaction between asthma and socioeconomic condition, as seen for other risk factors, appears in a multicausal form, and the association found in this study was not corrected for confounding factors. Third, the authors apparently made a mistake when citing our study of asthma prevalence in Recife, stating that we had found an association between greater asthma prevalence and lower level of maternal education. What we found was in fact the opposite, that greater asthma prevalence was associated with a higher level of maternal education. (2) This is in agreement with the observations made by Chew et al.(3) in Singapore using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood protocol. Wandalsen,(4) studying school children in the south-central region of the city of Sao Paulo, found no association between asthma symptoms and maternal schooling, a finding echoed by Moraes et al.(5) in a case control study conducted in Cuiaba. According to the hygiene theory, children exposed to unhygienic conditions at an early age

The Association Between Overweight and Respiratory Symptoms in Schoolchildren

The prevalence of both asthma and obesity is increasing worldwide and this has led researchers to speculate that being overweight and obesity might be a causal factor in the development of asthma. Studies found obesity to be associated with asthma diagnosis, respiratory symptoms, and airway hyperresponsiveness. Data on the association between being overweight and asthma in children are lacking. The objectives of the present study are to investigate the relationship between asthma and being overweight in schoolchildren from the northeast of England; to assess being overweight as a risk factor for asthma in children; and to see if overweight children with asthma experience greater asthma symptoms after adjusting for passive tobacco smoke exposure. We studied 7,000 schoolchildren from the northeast of England. Body mass index (BMI) percentiles (<85, ≥85, and ≥95) were calculated using SPSS (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Boys in the highest BMI percentile had higher prevalence rates of asthma and respiratory sympt...

Fatigue and Mood Correlates of Sleep Length in Three Age‐Social Groups: School Children, Students, and Employees

The aim of the study was to trace the consequences of insufficient sleep, in terms of chronic sleep reduction rather than acute sleep deprivation, on fatigue, mood, cognitive performance self‐estimations, and daytime sleepiness in different age‐social groups. The age group of the subjects reflects their social situation and their working time organization: adolescents (n=191) obeyed the strict school schedules with starting times often before 08:00 h; university students (n=115) had more flexible timetables; young employees (n=126) were engaged in regular morning schedules or irregular daytime hours or day and night shifts. A questionnaire study determined the declared need of sleep, self‐reported sleep length, chronic fatigue (using a scale comprised of eight fatigue symptoms and four mood and three cognitive items), and daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale). The declared need for sleep decreased in subsequent age groups from 9 h 23 min in school children to 8 h 22 min in university students and to 7 h 37 min in young employees. Consequently, the discrepancy between preferred and real sleep length (sleep deficit) was the largest in adolescents: 106 min. Females showed a greater need of sleep than males (p=.025) and significantly more fatigue, mood, and cognitive problems; they also exhibited higher level of daytime sleepiness (p<.000). The sleep index (reported sleep length related to requirements) correlated significantly with all health issues in women (p<.000), while only with fatigue symptoms in men (p=.013). Actual sleep length was unrelated to mood and fatigue issues; the declared individual need of sleep and sleep index showed significant associations, especially in the group of adolescents. The most frequent complaints of adolescents included tiredness on awakening (46%), nervousness, and general weakness; university students reported excessive drowsiness (50%), tension, and nervousness; employees suffered mostly from negative moods, such as tension (49%), nervousness, and irritability. The findings of the study indicate that chronic sleep loss seems to affect females more severely than males. The associations of fatigue and mood with sleep need and sleep index were more pronounced in younger subjects. Surprisingly, fatigue symptoms in school children and university students were as frequent as in hard‐working adults. Because the problem of insufficient sleep is already present in youngsters, their work time organization needs more attention.

Evaluation of Accommodative Insufficiency with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether asthenopic symptoms in schoolchildren diagnosed with accommodative insufficiency (AI) and graded with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) could be correlated with the degree of accommodative deficiency in these children, and to investigate if VAS grading of the asthenopic symptoms could be used as an instrument to indicate the level of improvement of AI. Methods: Forty-nine children (mean age 10.2 years ± 2.7) diagnosed with AI graded their degree of asthenopia on the VAS before and after a 12-week treatment period wearing individually dispensed reading glasses. Results: The improvement in accommodation after treatment was statistically significant (p < 0.001) and 83.7% of the children obtained normal accommodative amplitude in relation to age. The reduction in asthenopic symptoms as graded with the VAS was also statistically significant (p < 0.001) after treatment and 89.9% of the children obtained a normal VAS score. However, no correlation between the degree of accommodative deficiency and the VAS grading could be found, neither before nor after treatment. Discussion: Based on these results we conclude that the visual analogue scale (VAS) cannot be used as an instrument to indicate the degree of accommodative deficiency nor can it be used to indicate the level of improvement during the course of treatment. However, the VAS can be used as an instrument to verify and document whether or not asthenopic symptoms are present, and therefore also to indicate when symptoms have been relieved.

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and respiratory symptoms in school children of Nis

There is relatively strong evidence among children showing that passive smoking is associated with respiratory symptoms and respiratory diseases, but few studies have been carried out in Serbian population. Establishment of association between exposure to tobacco smoke within family and prevalence of the upper and lower respiratory symptoms in school children. In this descriptive epidemiological study, studied population consisted of 533 school children, 12.96 +/- 1.54 years old, residents of Nis town, from the area with identical open air pollution. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure was recorded in 382 children. Data about symptoms in children, conditions of habitation, presence of pets and hereditary predisposition were entered into structured questionnaire. RESULTS T-test and X2-test statistics showed no significant difference of living conditions, hereditary predisposition among children and average time which passive smoker and nonsmoker children spent indoors. In both groups, the upper respiratory symptoms were more frequent (42.4%-80.2%) in comparison to lower respiratory symptoms (14.4%-25.7%). There was significant difference of the upper and lower respiratory symptoms between the exposed children and control group (X2 =9.7 > X2 (1.005 = 3.8, p > 0.05--for the upper and X2 = 4.4 > X2 (1.005) = 3.8, p > 0.05--for the lower respiratory symptoms). Primary health care need for respiratory symptoms and diseases due to effect of passive smoking was higher in the exposed children. The results provide evidence of adverse respiratory effects of passive smoking to children being exposed to smoke in domestic setting. These findings emphasize the need for effective measures of prevention of involuntary smoking during childhood in Serbia.

Effects of moisture-damage repairs on microbial exposure and symptoms in schoolchildren

Effects of renovation on symptom prevalence and microbial status were studied in two moisture-damaged schools and in two non-damaged schools with longitudinal cross-sectional surveys before and after repairs. Over 1300 schoolchildren aged 6-17 returned questionnaires before and after repairs. After full renovation in one of the damaged schools, elevated concentrations and increased frequencies of indoor air fungi normalized and a significant decrease in the prevalence of 10 symptoms of 12 studied was observed among schoolchildren. No change in microbial conditions was seen after partial repairs in the other damaged school, and only slight improvement was observed in symptom prevalence. The change in the prevalence of symptoms in the reference schools was minor. The results suggest that increased symptom prevalence among schoolchildren in moisture-damaged schools can be managed with proper repair of the moisture damage. This longitudinal intervention study showed the positive effects of the moisture and mold damage repairs of a school building on children's health. The success necessitates however, a thorough renovation including appropriate ventilation. Monitoring of airborne viable microbes revealed the damage status of the building and thus could be used as a tool in evaluating the quality of repairs.

Total pollen counts do not influence active surface measurements

Abstract We investigated the temporal association of various aerosol parameters with pollen counts in the pollen season (April 2001) in Linz, Austria. We were especially interested in the relationship between active surface (or Fuchs’ surface) because we had shown previously (Atmos. Environ. 37 (2003) 1737–1744) that this parameter during the same observation period was a better predictor for acute respiratory symptoms in school children (like wheezing, shortness of breath, and cough) and reduced lung function on the same day than particle mass (PM 10 ). While active surface is most sensitive for fine particles with a diameter of less than 100 nm it has no strict upper cut-off regarding particle size and so could eventually be influenced also by larger particles if their numbers were high. All particle mass parameters tested (TSP, PM 10 , PM 1 ) were weakly ( r approximately 0.2) though significantly correlated with pollen counts but neither was active surface nor total particle counts (CPC). The weak association of particle mass and pollen counts was due mainly to similar diurnal variations and a linear trend over time. Only the mass of the coarse fraction (TSP minus PM 10 ) remained associated with pollen counts significantly after controlling for these general temporal patterns.