Asthma and allergic rhinitis co-morbidity: a cross-sectional questionnaire study on adolescents aged 13-14 years.
OBJECTIVE
There is scarce epidemiological population-based data on the prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) co-morbidity in adolescents. The aim was to verify asthma and AR prevalence rates in order to emphasise asthma/AR co-morbidity.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire in adolescents aged 13-14 years, chosen randomly from public schools in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.


RESULTS
A total of 3262 students were identified, 3083 (47.3% males) of whom completed the questionnaire (response rate 94.7%). The prevalence of symptoms related to asthma and AR co-morbidity was 8.4% (95% CI, 8.09-10.25). Among asthmatic adolescents, symptoms of AR were reported in 46.5% (95% CI, 42.60-52.08%).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high prevalence of adolescent asthma and AR co-morbidity in this area of Brazil. This co-morbidity is an important health issue that requires strategic application of primary health care facilities to achieve adequate control of both asthma and allergic rhinitis.
de Andrade
Cláudia Ribeiro
CR
José do Rosário Vellano University, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
da Cunha Ibiapina
Cássio
C
Gonçalves Alvim
Cristina
C
Fernandes Fontes
Maria Jussara
MJ
de Lima Belizário Facury Lasmar
Laura Maria
LM
Moreira Camargos
Paulo Augusto
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001938:Brazil; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires