Prevalence of asthma symptoms and associated factors in adolescents and adults in southern Brazil: A Global Asthma Network Phase I study

Marilyn Urrutia-Pereira; Herberto Chong-Neto; Lucas Pitrez Mocellin; Philippa Ellwood; Luis Garcia-Marcos; Laura Simon; Pietro Rinelli; Dirceu Solé

doi:10.1016/j.waojou.2021.100529

Prevalence of asthma symptoms and associated factors in adolescents and adults in southern Brazil: A Global Asthma Network Phase I study

World Allergy Organ J. 2021 Mar 17;14(3):100529. doi: 10.1016/j.waojou.2021.100529. eCollection 2021 Mar.

Authors

Marilyn Urrutia-Pereira¹, Herberto Chong-Neto², Lucas Pitrez Mocellin³, Philippa Ellwood⁴, Luis Garcia-Marcos⁵, Laura Simon¹, Pietro Rinelli¹, Dirceu Solé⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Pampa (Unipampa), Brazil.
² Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil.
³ Department of Collective Health, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Pampa, Brazil.
⁴ Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
⁵ Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Units, Arrixaca University Children's Hospital, University of Murcia, IMIB Bio-health Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), ARADyAL Network, Spain.
⁶ Division of Allergy, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.

Abstract

Background: The Global Asthma Network (GAN) aims to find out the current status of the prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema using global surveillance to achieve worldwide recognition and improve the management of asthma, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to verify the associated factors for asthma in adolescents and their respective parents/caregivers.

Methods: Adolescents (13-14 years old; n = 1058) and their respective parents/caregivers (mean age = 42.1 years, n = 896) living in the town of Uruguaiana, Southern Brazil fulfilled the standardized questionnaire.

Results: Although the prevalence of wheezing in the past 12 months was higher among adults than adolescents (18.4% vs. 15.8%, respectively), adolescents showed more severe wheezing and worse control over the disease revealed by higher consumption of short-acting beta-2 agonists; going to the emergency room; hospitalization in the last year and dry night cough. Smoking and paracetamol use were associated with risk for developing asthma symptoms and consuming seafood/fish was protective. For the adults smoking (10 or more cigarettes/day) and exposure to mould in the house were associated with risk for asthma symptoms.

Conclusions: Adolescents have a high prevalence of asthma symptoms and few have an action plan. Adults do not have their disease under control and they use more relief than preventive medication. Differences in associated factors could determine the outcomes in asthma control among adolescents and their parents.

Keywords: Adolescents; Adults; Asthma; Epidemiology; GAN, Global Asthma Network; HDI, Human Development Index; ISAAC, International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood; Risk factors.