Prevalence of Bronchial Asthma and Respiratory Symptoms in Schoolchildren in Oslo |
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Authors: | I. J. K. Skarpaas A. Gulsvik |
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Affiliation: | Chest Dept., Oslo Public Health Office and Dept. of Thoracic Medicine, University Hospital, Haukeland Sykehus, Bergen, Norway |
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Abstract: | During the school year 1980-81 a survey questionnaire was carried out among schoolchildren aged 7 to 15 years in Oslo. The survey population comprised 39,162 children attending compulsory primary school. The questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 1772 children in 81 classes, forms 1 to 9, and the response rate was 95%. The prevalence of physician-diagnosis of current and cumulative asthma was 1.6% and 3.1%, respectively. Of those with current asthma 68% used asthma drugs regularly. Occasional wheezing and attacks of breathlessness were reported by 9% and 4%, respectively. Wheezing and breathlessness on exposure to pollen (4.5%), animals (3.1%) and exercise (5.5%) was reported more frequently than physician-diagnosis of asthma. The cumulative prevalence of either hay fever, eczema, urticaria or asthma was 17%. More boys than girls under the age of 12 had a physician-diagnosis of asthma. |
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Keywords: | atopy bronchial asthma epidemiology prevalence respiratory symptoms |
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