Dataset Information

Prevalence of asthma among schoolchildren in Patras, Greece: four questionnaire surveys during 1978-2003.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The prevalence of asthma and wheezing has risen during the past four decades. Recent reports suggest that the "asthma epidemic" has reached a plateau.

Objective

To examine further trends in the prevalence of childhood diagnosed asthma and wheezing in an urban environment in Greece.

Methods

A population-based cross-sectional parental questionnaire survey was repeated among third-grade and fourth-grade school children (8-10 years) of public primary schools in 2003 in the city of Patras, Greece, by using methods identical to that of surveys conducted in 1978 (completed questionnaires, n = 3003), 1991 (n = 2417) and 1998 (n = 3076).

Results

2725 questionnaires were completed in the 2003 survey. The prevalence rates of current asthma and/or wheezing in 1978, 1991, 1998 and 2003 were 1.5%, 4.6%, 6% and 6.9%, respectively (p for trend <0.001). The lifetime prevalence of asthma and/or wheezing in the three more recent surveys was 8%, 9.6% and 12.4%, respectively (p for trend <0.001). The male:female ratios of current asthma and/or wheezing in the four surveys were 1.14:1, 1.15:1, 1.16:1 and 1.22:1, respectively. The proportion of those with wheezing diagnosed with asthma has increased during the study period, more so among non-current children with asthma.

Conclusions

Our findings show a continuous increase in the prevalence of asthma and wheezing among preadolescent children in Patras, Greece, over 25 years, albeit at a decelerating rate. There seems to be a true increase in wheezing, despite some diagnostic transfer, particularly among younger children. The male predominance of the disease has persisted in the population of this study.

SUBMITTER: Anthracopoulos MB

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2083439 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Prevalence of asthma among schoolchildren in Patras, Greece: four questionnaire surveys during 1978-2003.

Anthracopoulos Michael B MB Liolios Evangelos E Panagiotakos Demosthenes B DB Triantou Katerina K Priftis Kostas N KN

Archives of disease in childhood 20061109 3

<h4>Background</h4>The prevalence of asthma and wheezing has risen during the past four decades. Recent reports suggest that the "asthma epidemic" has reached a plateau.<h4>Objective</h4>To examine further trends in the prevalence of childhood diagnosed asthma and wheezing in an urban environment in Greece.<h4>Methods</h4>A population-based cross-sectional parental questionnaire survey was repeated among third-grade and fourth-grade school children (8-10 years) of public primary schools in 2003 ...[more]

PMID: 17095554

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Project description:BackgroundOver seven decades, Brazil has made admirable progress in controlling schistosomiasis, and a frequent question about the explanation for this reduction refers to the effect of improving environmental factors in the country. This article seeks to identify factors related to the change in the epidemiological situation of schistosomiasis mansoni infection by analyzing three national prevalence surveys conducted since 1950.Methodology/principal findingsThis is an ecological study analyzing an unbalanced panel of data based on national surveys and considering the municipality as the unit of analysis. The sample consisted of 1,721 Brazilian municipalities, in which a total of 1,182,339 schoolchildren aged 7-14 were examined during the three periods corresponding to each survey (1947-1953, 1975-1979, and 2010-2015). The percentage of municipalities with zero cases of schistosomiasis was: 45.4%, 54.2% and 73.7%, respectively for those periods. A zero-inflated Poisson regression model, with fixed and random effects, was fitted to assess the association between candidate factors and disease prevalence using a significance level of 5%. There was a significant decrease in disease prevalence between the first and last periods analyzed (RR 0.214, CI 0.184-0.249), with a protective association with access to sanitation (RR 0.996, CI 0.994-0.998), urbanization (RR 0.991, CI 0.989-0.993), and living in own households (RR 0.986, CI 0.983-0.989); and an inverse association with piped water supply (RR 1.010, CI 1.008-1.011).ConclusionThe findings of this study indicate a decrease in the prevalence of schistosomiasis over seven decades in schoolchildren from the analyzed Brazilian municipalities, associated with environmental factors and social conditions. The increased access to piped water in the municipalities apparently triggers other ways of contact with unsafe water bodies, generating new transmission routes and suggesting the need for a systemic approach concerning contact with water.

Project description:ObjectivesTo determine whether the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in England has changed over time.DesignCross-sectional analysis of nationally representative Health Survey for England (HSE) random samples.SettingEngland 2003 and 2009/2010.Survey participants13,896 adults aged 16+ participating in HSE, adjusted for sampling and non-response, 2009/2010 surveys combined.Main outcome measureChange in prevalence of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (as proxy for stage 3-5 CKD), from 2003 to 2009/2010 based on a single serum creatinine measure using an isotope dilution mass spectrometry traceable enzymatic assay in a single laboratory; eGFR derived using Modified Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKDEPI) eGFR formulae.AnalysisMultivariate logistic regression modelling to adjust time changes for sociodemographic and clinical factors (body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, lipids). A correction factor was applied to the 2003 HSE serum creatinine to account for a storage effect.ResultsNational prevalence of low eGFR (<60) decreased within each age and gender group for both formulae except in men aged 65-74. Prevalence of obesity and diabetes increased in this period, while there was a decrease in hypertension. Adjustment for demographic and clinical factors led to a significant decrease in CKD between the surveyed periods. The fully adjusted OR for eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was 0.75 (0.61 to 0.92) comparing 2009/2010 with 2003 using the MDRD equation, and was similar using the CKDEPI equation 0.73 (0.57 to 0.93).ConclusionsThe prevalence of a low eGFR indicative of CKD in England appeared to decrease over this 7-year period, despite the rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes, two key causes of CKD. Hypertension prevalence declined and blood pressure control improved but this did not appear to explain the fall. Periodic assessment of eGFR and albuminuria in future HSEs is needed to evaluate trends in CKD.

Dataset Information

Prevalence of asthma among schoolchildren in Patras, Greece: four questionnaire surveys during 1978-2003.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Prevalence of asthma among schoolchildren in Patras, Greece: four questionnaire surveys during 1978-2003.

Similar Datasets

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