Prevalence of asthma in Melbourne schoolchildren: changes over 26 years - PubMed (original) (raw)
Comparative Study
Prevalence of asthma in Melbourne schoolchildren: changes over 26 years
C F Robertson et al. BMJ. 1991.
Abstract
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of asthma in the past 12 months in Melbourne schoolchildren aged 7, 12, and 15 years and to compare the prevalence of a history of asthma with that of 26 years ago.
Design: A questionnaire on respiratory symptoms was distributed to children for completion by parents and return to the school. Subjects were selected by a stratified cluster design.
Setting: Government and non-government schools in the greater Melbourne area, Australia.
Subjects: 10,981 children. Parents completed questionnaires for 3324 children aged 7, 2899 aged 12, and 2968 aged 15. The overall response rate was 90%.
Main outcome measures: History of wheeze or asthma in the past 12 months and in lifetime.
Results: The prevalences of wheeze in the past 12 months were 23.1%, 21.7%, and 18.6% for 7, 12, and 15 year olds respectively. A history of wheeze was more common in boys than in girls at age 7 (443/1711 v 324/1614) and 12 (418/1767 v 322/1718) but not at age 15. Overall, 78% (1548) of those reporting wheeze also reported a history of asthma and 83% (1611) had used a bronchodilator. The prevalence of a history of asthma among 7 year olds was 46% compared with 19.1% in the 1964 survey, an increase of 141%.
Conclusions: The current prevalence of asthma in Melbourne schoolchildren is high and has risen substantially over the past 26 years.
Comment in
- Prevalence of asthma in Melbourne schoolchildren.
Peat JK, Woolcock AJ. Peat JK, et al. BMJ. 1991 Jun 29;302(6792):1601. doi: 10.1136/bmj.302.6792.1601. BMJ. 1991. PMID: 1855053 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
References
- Br J Dis Chest. 1987 Oct;81(4):332-40 - PubMed
- Clin Allergy. 1987 Jul;17(4):271-81 - PubMed
- Am Rev Respir Dis. 1988 Sep;138(3):524-9 - PubMed
- Aust N Z J Med. 1988 Oct;18(6):745-52 - PubMed
- Arch Dis Child. 1989 Aug;64(8):1118-25 - PubMed
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical
Miscellaneous