Worldwide Variation In Prevalence Research Articles

FUNCTIONAL CONSTIPATION IN CHILDREN : A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

It is essential to test and diagnose children as soon as possible for functional constipation (FC), which is considered a substantial burden of illness in children. When treated in a timely manner and with the proper medication, babies who have FC have a better chance of making a full recovery. It is estimated that inflammatory bowel disease is responsible for up to 25% of pediatric gastroenterologist visits and 3% of all pediatric outpatient visits globally. It is difficult to estimate the real prevalence of FC in children as a result of the variability of the studies in terms of target population sample, diagnostic criteria, participant ethnicity and environment, technique of data gathering, and lifestyle and psychological characteristics, amongst other considerations. It is possible that the key causes for the worldwide variation in prevalence among studies that have been published are the absence of consensus on diagnostic criteria and cultural variations. Probiotics have the capacity to improve the balance between species, impact intestinal motility by creating lactic acid and short-chain amino acids, and stimulate gut peristalsis by adjusting stool pH. Additionally, probiotics have the potential to increase the number of short-chain amino acids produced in the body. A wide variety of probiotic strains have been the subject of a significant number of investigations. On the other hand, there are not enough evidence available at this time to support the use of probiotics in children who suffer from chronic constipation.

High Worldwide Variation in Prevalence of

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with multiple gastrointestinal disorders, including peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, and gastric cancer.

Diagnosis and Management of Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy: A Retrospective Review Study

Back ground: The hormones of thyroid organ play an important role for a normal pregnancy without maternal or fetal complexities. However, using different methods and thyrotropin (TSR) ranges for diagnosis subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in different population are challenging. The aim of this study is to clarify the world wide variation in prevalence of SCH, the accurate methods been used for diagnosing (SCH) in pregnant women, main adverse pregnancy outcomes related to (SCH) and the clinical impact of levothyroxine on gestational SCH related complications. Methods: Meta-analysis of the results of all studies that were investigated the screening methods, adverse pregnancy outcomes and the treatment of SCH during pregnancy which was published in English language during the last two decade including the popular guidelines in this regard. Results: The studies revealed a strong linear association between preterm delivery, miscarriage and TSH level with more events, if combined with positive thyroid antibodies. The difference in TSH (TSR) ranges among different ethnicity and countries should be considered for diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment of SCH during pregnancy is cost effective in reducing the preterm labour, miscarriage and its complications. Using specific TSH cut off level for each population is essential for accurate diagnosis and screening should include not only high risk cases but patients in countries with high prevalence of SCH.

Requirements for Physician Competencies in Allergy: Key Clinical Competencies Appropriate for the Care of Patients With Allergic or Immunologic Diseases: A Position Statement of the World Allergy Organization

Allergic diseases are quite prevalent worldwide, and the incidence of allergy is increasing everywhere [1-7]. Because allergic and immunologic processes overlap all organ systems, allergy is not always taught in medical schools as a separate subject. Indeed, lack of recognition of the specialty and of the need to teach about allergic and immunologic diseases results in allergy not being included at all in some medical school curricula [8]. With an estimated 22% of the global population experiencing allergic and immunologic diseases, it is time to recognize and strengthen education in allergy and immunology [8]. The World Allergy Organization (WAO), an alliance of 74 national and regional allergy societies, created this consensus document to establish educational guidelines for worldwide application to help identify and correct allergy education and training deficiencies and to define appropriate competencies. In creating this consensus, it is recognized that each country has its own principles and goals in medical education at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This document defines what WAO considers medical practitioners should know to care appropriately for allergic patients.

Diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis in children and adults: European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology/American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology/PRACTALL Consensus Report

There are remarkable differences in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of atopic dermatitis practiced by dermatologists and pediatricians in different countries. Therefore, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology nominated expert teams who were given the task of finding a consensus to serve as a guideline for clinical practice in Europe as well as in North America. The consensus report is part of the PRACTALL initiative, which is endorsed by both academies.

Efficacy and safety of montelukast in adults with asthma and allergic rhinitis

Several clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of montelukast 10mg orally in adults with both asthma and allergic rhinitis. The objective of this phase IV study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of montelukast 10mg in adults with both asthma and allergic rhinitis in a real-life setting. Data from 5855 patients (mean age: 42.8+/-15.4 years) were collected and analyzed following treatment for 4-6 weeks. Efficacy was analyzed by comparing baseline values of: general, day- and night-time improvement in asthma symptoms, need for rescue medication or inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), general and specific improvement in allergic rhinitis symptoms, reduction in rhinitis medication use, and general and specific quality of life (QoL) improvement with values collected at the end of the observation period of 4-6 weeks. Following treatment with 10mg montelukast 86.5% (n=4547) of patients reported a strong or marked improvement in day-time asthma symptoms and 88.5% (n=4367) reported improvement in night-time symptoms. A similarly high proportion of patients had a strong or marked improvement in all symptoms of allergic rhinitis (i.e. sneezing/itching (84%), rhinorrhea (81.7%), nasal congestion (79.3%), watery eyes (78.4%) and red or burning eyes (77.7%). The use of asthma and rhinitis medication was also reduced. 92.3% (n=5685) of all patients intended to continue montelukast therapy. Overall QoL was "very good" or "good" in 85.2% of patients (n=4991) and a "strong" or "marked" improvement in each of the four domains of sleep, work, everyday life and physical activity. Montelukast was well tolerated. Adverse drug reactions occurred in 14 out of 6158 patients. None of the adverse events was serious. Accordingly, montelukast 10mg is a safe and effective treatment for patients with both asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Diverging prevalence trends of atopic disorders in Norwegian children. Results from three cross‐sectional studies

During the last decades there has been extensive epidemiological research to explore the increasing prevalence of asthma and allergy in childhood. The worldwide variations in prevalence of these diseases necessitate regional rapports. Furthermore, time-trend analyses with comparable methods are important in order to monitor the rapidly changing prevalence of these diseases. Three cross-sectional questionnaire-based studies of asthma and allergy in schoolchildren were conducted in the counties of Troms and Finnmark, in northern Norway in 1985, 1995 and 2000. The two former studies included children from randomly selected primary schools (n = 1794/1985, n = 1432/1995). The latter study was a part of ISAAC-II Europe study (n = 3853). Identical items of asthma and allergy were employed. The analyses comprised only children 9-11 years of age. The prevalence of asthma was 9.3, 13.2 and 13.8% in 1985, 1995 and 2000, respectively. However, great gender differences were detected; the prevalence of asthma increased in males from 1995 to 2000, from 14.1 to 17.0%, RR = 1.2 (95% CI 1.0-1.5), but decreased in females 1995 to 2000, from 12.3 to 10.5%, RR = 0.9 (95% CI 0.7-1.1). Furthermore, in children with asthma, a changing trend was found in the external factors that perceived symptoms, from typical allergens towards other, unspecific agents. The prevalence of self-reported atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) was 13.4, 21.1 and 20.8% in 1985, 1995 and 2000, respectively. The prevalence of self-reported allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was in 16.5, 24.7 and 29.6% 1985, 1995 and 2000, respectively, RR (2000/1995) = 1.2 (95% CI 1.1-1.3). The prevalence of asthma in girls has reached a plateau and even decreased from 1995 to 2000 which is in contrast to the asthma prevalence in boys that tends to continuously increase. The prevalence of AEDS which increased substantially between 1985 and 1995 did not change from 1995 to 2000. However, the prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis increased steadily from 1985, 1995 to 2000.

Worldwide Variation in Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnancy

Worldwide Variation in Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnancy

Worldwide variation in prevalence of asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy

Worldwide variation in prevalence of asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy

Worldwide variation in prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic eczema: ISAAC

<h2>Summary</h2><h3>Background</h3> Systematic international comparisons of the prevalences of asthma and other allergic disorders in children are needed for better understanding of their global epidemiology, to generate new hypotheses, and to assess existing hypotheses of possible causes. We investigated worldwide prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic. <h3>Methods</h3> We studied 463 801 children aged 13–14 years in 155 collaborating centres in 56 countries. Children self-reported, through one-page questionnaires, symptoms of these three atopic disorders. In 99 centres in 42 countries, a video asthma questionnaire was also used for 304 796 children. <h3>Findings</h3> We found differences of between 20-fold and 60-fold between centres in the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic eczema, with four-fold to 12-fold variations between the 10th and 90th percentiles for the different disorders. For asthma symptoms, the highest 12-month prevalences were from centres in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Republic of Ireland, followed by most centres in North, Central, and South America; the lowest prevalences were from centres in several Eastern European countries, Indonesia, Greece, China, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, India, and Ethiopia. For allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, the centres with the highest prevalences were scattered across the world. The centres with the lowest prevalences were similar to those for asthma symptoms. For atopic eczema, the highest prevalences came from scattered centres, including some from Scandinavia and Africa that were not among centres with the highest asthma prevalences; the lowest prevalence rates of atopic eczema were similar in centres, as for asthma symptoms. <h3>Interpretation</h3> The variation in the prevalences of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic-eczema symptoms is striking between different centres throughout the world. These findings will form the basis of further studies to investigate factors that potentially lead to these international patterns.

Worldwide variations in prevalence of symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in children: the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC).

As part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), prevalence surveys were conducted among representative samples of school children from locations in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, North and South America. 257,800 children aged 6-7 years from 91 centres in 38 countries, and 463,801 children aged 13-14 years from 155 centres in 56 countries. Written symptom questionnaires were translated from English into the local language for self-completion by the 13-14-year-olds and completion by the parents of the 6-7-year-olds. Rhinitis was described as a problem with sneezing, or a runny, or blocked nose when you (your child) DID NOT have a cold or the flu. Additional questions were asked about rhinitis associated with itchy-watery eyes, interference with activities and a history of hay fever ever. The prevalence of rhinitis with itchy-watery eyes ("rhinoconjunctivitis") in the past year varied across centres from 0.8% to 14.9% in the 6-7-year-olds and from 1.4% to 39.7% in the 13-14-year-olds. Within each age group, the global pattern was broadly consistent across each of the symptom categories. In centres of higher prevalence there was great variability in the proportion of rhinoconjunctivitis labelled as hay fever. The lowest prevalences of rhinoconjunctivitis were found in parts of eastern Europe, south and central Asia. High prevalences were reported from centres in several regions. These results suggest substantial worldwide variations in the prevalence and labelling of symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis which require further study. These differences, if real, may offer important clues to environmental influences on allergy.