The prevalence of asthma in Victorian adults.
To determine the prevalence of asthma in Victorian adults, we carried out a cross-sectional postal survey utilising a new screening questionnaire which gathered data on self reported respiratory symptoms, whether asthma had been diagnosed and, if so, how it had been treated. Questionnaires were returned by 2198 (72%) of 3095 adults selected randomly from the Victorian electoral roll, an adequate response rate. The reported prevalences of individual asthmatic symptoms in the last 12 months ranged from 8% for nocturnal wheeze to 22% for current wheeze. Thirteen per cent of respondents had ever had asthma, 7% had experienced an attack within the last 12 months and 6% were currently taking medication. The high prevalence of asthma revealed by our study has major implications for the planning of health services.
Abramson
M
M
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Monash Medical School, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Kutin
J
J
Bowes
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology