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Prevalence of Bronchial Asthma among Schoolchildren in a Swedish District
Author(s) -
BRÅBÄCK L.,
KÄLVESTEN L.,
SUNDSTRÖM G.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1988.tb10762.x
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , spirometry , auscultation , methacholine , respiratory tract , inhalation , pediatrics , physical therapy , respiratory tract infections , physical examination , respiratory system , respiratory disease , anesthesia , lung
. The prevalence of asthma among 10527 children aged 7–16 years was investigated in 1985. Children were assigned to the asthma group when replies to a questionnaire stated that at least two of four stipulated symptoms had been experienced in the preceding year. A validation study, comprising exploration of medical history, pulmonary auscultation and physiological tests (spirometry and methacholine inhalation challenge) was performed in 73 children. The overall prevalence of asthma was 4%. The most common symptom‐inducing factors were physical exertion, upper respiratory tract infection, contact with animals and tobacco smoke. The methacholine test had limited value as a diagnostic aid, being positive in only 25% of children with a clear history of asthma.