Prevalence and risk factors of asthma-like symptoms and allergic diseases in preschool children

Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of current asthma-like symptoms and current allergic diseases among preschool children and to determine the risk factors. Materials and methods. Cross-sectional study included children aged 3-6 years. The study was conducted in 5 towns of Altai region. Prevalence of allergic diseases was assessed using the Russian version of the ISAAC questionnaire. Results. According to questionnaire the prevalence of current asthma-like symptoms was 11,1%, current allergic rhinoconjunctivitis - 7,5%, current atopic dermatitis -12,3%. Out of 3205 children asthma was diagnosed in 0,9%, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis - in 3%, atopic dermatitis - in 7,9%. Family history of allergic diseases increases risk of development of the current asthma-like symptoms twice (OR=2,11; 95% CI=1,66-2,68), current allergic rhinoconjunctivitis by 2,8 times (OR=2,85; 95% CI=2,16-3,75), current atopic dermatitis by 4,6 times (OR=4,62; 95% CI=3,69-5,77). The male sex increases risk of the development of current asthma-like symptoms by 2,6 times (OR=2,63; 95% CI=1,17-5,93), current allergic rhinoconjunctivitis by 1,3 times (OR=1,35; 95% CI=1,03-1,76), smoking of parents on the first year of life of the child increases risk of development of current asthma-like symptoms by 1,6 times (OR=1,61; 95% CI=1,15-2,24), breastfeeding duration less than 6 months increases the risk of development of current atopic dermatitis by 1,6 times (OR=1,62; 95% CI=1,26-2,09; p