Factors affecting estimates of the prevalence of asthma and wheezing in childhood.
Nine recent studies of the prevalence of asthma and wheezing in childhood are reviewed. Sample prevalences are found to range from 5 to 31% and possible reasons for this are considered; it is shown that the prevalence of asthma found is highly dependent on the criteria used for diagnosis. Some clinical and research implications are discussed.
Usherwood
T P
TP
Department of General Practice, University of Glasgow, Scotland.
D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D006113:United Kingdom