Regional Differences in Diagnosing Asthma and Other Allergic Diseases in Estonian Schoolchildren
Abstract
Material and Methods. The study, carried out through 1 March to 8 May, 2003, enrolled 5thto 12th-grade schoolchildren of 4 schools in different regions of Estonia. A three-step protocol was followed: screening questionnaire, examination by a pulmonary resident, and consultation by a pediatric allergologist.
Results. Of the 3132 questionnaires distributed, 1561 (49%) were returned. A total of 828 schoolchildren answered positively to any of the questions about possible allergic disease. After examination by the pulmonary resident, 255 schoolchildren (15.7%) were referred to an allergologist for final diagnosis. Asthma was diagnosed in 4.8%, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in 4.9%, and atopic eczema in 8.3% of schoolchildren. Asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and urticaria occurred more frequently in Narva as compared with Võru.
Conclusion. The 12-month prevalence of asthma among Estonian schoolchildren was 4.8%, and the prevalence of allergic diseases varied from region to region. Less than half (40%) of all asthma cases identified during the study were newly diagnosed, and this clearly indicates that there is a considerable underdiagnosis of the disease among schoolchildren living outside of the centers in Estonia.
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Vasar, M.; Julge, K.; Kivivare, M.; Otter, K. Regional Differences in Diagnosing Asthma and Other Allergic Diseases in Estonian Schoolchildren. Medicina 2011, 47, 97. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina47120097
Vasar M, Julge K, Kivivare M, Otter K. Regional Differences in Diagnosing Asthma and Other Allergic Diseases in Estonian Schoolchildren. Medicina. 2011; 47(12):97. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina47120097
Chicago/Turabian StyleVasar, Maire, Kaja Julge, Mari Kivivare, and Karin Otter. 2011. "Regional Differences in Diagnosing Asthma and Other Allergic Diseases in Estonian Schoolchildren" Medicina 47, no. 12: 97. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina47120097