Abstract

TODO-BOM, Ana et al. Epidemiology of asthma and rhinosinusitis in Central Portugal: The role of allergy. Rev Port Imunoalergologia [online]. 2012, vol.20, n.3, pp.193-200. ISSN 0871-9721.

Asthma is a major health problem affecting individuals of all age groups with increasing prevalence. The aim of this study is todetermine the prevalence and characterization of asthma in an adult population of Portugal, the prevalence of pathology associatedwith asthma and to assess the prevalence of allergic sensitization in the patients studied. In Coimbra, in 2009-2010, a group of 2200 individuals, aged between 18 and 74 years that were randomly selected, as recommended by the GA2LEN protocol received a questionnaire with questions about asthma, rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis to be completed and mailed. A random sub-sample of 275 individuals respecting the distribution by pathology underwent skin prick tests for inhalant allergens. The epidemiological survey showed a prevalence of asthma of 16.8%, rhinitis 33.6% and sinusitis 27%. 63.1% of patients with asthma also had rhinitis. Allergic sensitization was reported in 74.3% of the asthmatics identified and 69.5% of patients with rhinitis. The results confirm the need of reliable surveys to assess the prevalence of asthma in order to reduce disparities reported in different studies. The use of uniform methodology in different European countries reduces this limitation. The prevalence of asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis found, confirm the increasing trend of these diseases. The prevalence of allergic asthma in adults in central Portugal is an up to date reference for future studies in this scientific area

Keywords : Allergy; asthma; epidemiology; rhinitis; sinusitis.

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