[Increase of the prevalence of bronchial asthma and related symptoms in students in Cluj-Napoca. Epidemiologic study with a five-years interval].
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of asthma is increasing in developed countries during the past decade. In Romania there are few studies on asthma epidemiology and no data on the trend of the prevalence.


OBJECTIVE
The authors investigate the prevalence of asthma and associated symptoms in children and evaluate the trend of prevalence 5 years apart.


METHODS
We used a core questionnaire designed by the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Children (ISAAC). The questionnaire was applied during 1995 in 2,866 children aged 13-14 years from a Romanian city, and during 2001 in 1,657 children from the same area.


RESULTS
The prevalence of previous diagnosed asthma increased significant, from 3.3% in 1995 to 5.5% in 2001 (p = 0.0005). A higher percentage of pupils presented probable asthma (4.3% in 1995 and 13.6% in 2001; p < 0. 00001). Similar results were obtained regarding symptoms related to asthma like wheezing, cough during exercise and night cough. Previous diagnosed asthma was more frequent in boys, but probable asthma and symptoms related to asthma were more prevalent in girls both in 1995 and in 2001. The prevalence of asthma is similar with that reported in other central and eastern European countries that used the same core questionnaire provided by ISAAC.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of asthma and associated symptoms increased significantly during the past 5 years.
Cherecheş-Panţa
Paraschiva
P
UMF Iuliu Haţieganu Cluj-Napoca, Clinica Pediatrie III.
Popa
Mirela D
MD
Iacob
Daniela
D
Mureşan
Mariana
M
Man
S C
SC
Farcău
Mihaela
M
Indolean
Claudia
C
Ichim
Gabriela E
GE
Mireştean
Ileana
I
David
Laura
L
Nanulescu
M V
MV
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards