[Current prevalence of asthma, allergy and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in children aged 6 to 8 years old].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the current prevalence of asthma, allergy and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in children aged 6to 8years old from Huesca (Spain).


METHODS
We carried out a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of asthma, rhinitis and dermatitis by questionnaire (ISAAC), skin test and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (exercise challenge, forced expiratory volume1) in all children aged 6 to 8 years old living in an urban area (n=1051) and in a representative sample from the same area (n=309).


RESULTS
The questionnaire response rate was 88.01% (n=925). Current prevalence rates were 7.4% for wheezing, 10.5% for rhinitis and 8.5% for dermatitis. Participation rate in the skin test and bronchial hyperresponsiveness study was 86.55% (n=309): bronchial hyperresponsiveness was found in 5.3% and skin test was positive in 21.8% while sensitization against grass pollen was found in 45.5%, against olives in 34.8% and against house dust mite in 10.6%. Rhinitis and/or dermatitis symptoms and positive skin test were found in 7.92%. Asthma related symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness were found in 5.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
This study reports the current prevalence of asthma (5.5%), allergy (7.92%) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (7.92) in children aged 6 to 8 years old from Huesca.
Fuertes Fernández-Espinar
J
J
Centro de Salud del Perpetuo Socorro. Huesca. Hospital Aránzazu. San Sebastían. jfuertesf@medynet.com
Meriz Rubio
J
J
Pardos Martínez
C
C
López Cortés
V
V
Ricarte Díez
J
J
González Pérez-Yarza
E
E
D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence