Prevalence of Bronchial Asthma Symptomatic Manifestation among Children of Kharkiv

Abstract

The aim of the work was to improve the diagnosis of bronchial asthma (BA) in the pediatric population by revealing the current prevalence of symptoms using an epidemiological method and identifying trends in the prevalence of symptoms since 1998. The study was performed in 2017 in Kharkiv. The standardized method of the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC) was used. The volume of the sample was calculated according to the formula for sample population determining and ensures the representativeness of the data obtained (Lisitsin Y.P., 1987), which amounted to 5434 children. 3374 parents of children 6–7 years old and 2552 children 13–14 years old were surveyed; in total 5926 students, which accounted for 97% of the total number of uestionnaires distributed. The standardized ISAAC questionnaire contains 8 questions about the symptomatic manifestations of BA. The percentage of positive responses in children 6-7 years old was analyzed; the results are presented for 2017, 2002 and 1998, respectively. 1. The presence of ever wheezing (wheezing) in the past (the first question of the ISAAC questionnaire) was found in 13.8%; 19.4% and 24.1% of children, respectively. 2. "Wheezing" was observed in the last 12 months in 6.6%; 12.5%; 12.2%. 3. More than three episodes of "wheezing" in the past 12 months were found in 0.9%; 2.5% and 2.3%. 4. Sleep disturbance from "wheezing" one or more nights a week during the last 12 months occurred in 1.9%; 1.3% and 1.4%. 5. Speech was limited to wheezing during the last 12 months in 0.5%; 1.7% and 1.5%. 6. The presence of asthma in the history was noted in 1.5%; 6.8% and 5.5%. 7. "Wheezing" in chest during or after exercise during the last 12 months was at 2.0%; 10.4% and 4.6%. 8. Dry cough at night (not associated with a cold or inflammatory diseases) over the past 12 months was noted at 6.9%; 13.7% and 11.9% of children. The percentage of positive answers to 8 questions of the ISAAC questionnaire in children 13-14 years was analyzed. The results are presented on issues for 2017, 2002 and 1998 respectively: 1. - 9.9%; 29.6%; and 25.3%. 2. - 3.4%; 20.9% and 12.9%. 3. - 0.4%; 2.5% and 1.2%. 4. - 0.6%; 1.1% and 0.8%. 5. - 0.5%; 2.3% and 1.9%. 6. - 1.6%; 5.5% and 6.1%. 7. - 2.8%; 20.6% and 13.2%. 8. - 4.6%; 19.3% and 12.1%. The obtained results and the dynamics of prevalence are analyzed in comparison with both average and individual data for different regions and countries of the world. The current prevalence of respiratory symptoms in children of Kharkiv was revealed in 15.9% (10.1% in the younger school age, 5.8% in the adolescent age). The trends to reduce both the prevalence and severity of BA manifestations in the region over the past 20 years have been identified. Attention is focused on the low level of diagnosis of BA.