[Is Widal syndrome always a severe disease?].
BACKGROUND
the Widal syndrome (WS) is known as the association of bronchial asthma to aspirin intolerance, nasal polyposis and/or allergic rhinitis, typical considered to have a difficult course.


OBJECTIVE
finding the prevalence and severity of WS in general medical practice. VENUE: data bases from a private pneumology practice and the ambulatory of a pneumology clinic in Timisoara.


METHODS
473 asthma patients, among which 41 (8.66%) matched the criteria for WS. There were 31 women (75.6%) and 10 men (24.39%). MAIN PARAMETERS EVALUATED: spirometry, ENT examination, skin allergy tests, serum IgE.


RESULTS
most cases (22 pts., 53.65%) had mild to moderate asthma. Monitoring the cases for 4 years didn't show any worsening. The 19 severe cases (46.35%) had a progressive course, despite a complex treatment (anti-leukotrienes + systemic corticosteroids in high doses + long acting beta 2 agonists + long acting theophylline). The results don't match the classical description of WS, with a dominance of severe forms.


CONCLUSIONS
in general medical practice WS has a frequency of 8.66% among asthmatic population, and the mild and moderate forms represent 53.65% and it seems they keep like that a long time.
Tudorache
Voicu
V
Clinica de Pneumologie, U.M.F. Timişoara. vtudorache@mail.dnttm.ro
Mihăicuţă
S
S
Potre
Rodica
R
Melcescu
Eugen
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000453:epidemiology; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013147:Spirometry; D013577:Syndrome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D001241:Aspirin