Increasing asthma prevalence in a rural New Zealand adolescent population: 1975-89.
A survey of asthma symptoms and spirometry in 435 adolescent schoolchildren was undertaken in 1989 in a rural, largely Maori population. The survey questionnaires were identical to those used in a 1975 survey at the same school. The prevalence of reported asthma or wheeze significantly increased from 26.2% to 34.0%. This increase occurred in groups reporting asthma, and also those reporting wheeze unassociated with colds, but without a previous diagnosis of asthma. There was a tendency for a rise in reported wheeze in Europeans (24.3% to 27.4%) and a significant rise in Maoris (27.1% to 36.2%). The reclassification of other respiratory problems did not account for the increase. Data from this study provides evidence that there has been a rise in the prevalence of asthma in this New Zealand population over a time period of 14 years.
Shaw
R A
RA
Department of Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine, New Zealand.
Crane
J
J
O'Donnell
T V
TV
Porteous
L E
LE
Coleman
E D
ED
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012424:Rural Population; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors