BACKGROUND: Some asthmatic children living in mountain areas experience significant improvement in daily symptoms and in the degree of bronchial obstruction. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of altitude on the prevalence and morbidity of childhood bronchial asthma. METHODS: A questionnaire regarding the history and symptoms of asthma was distributed to 874 children aged 6-12 years, to be completed by their parents with the help of their pediatrician. A total of 583 children lived at sea level, 180 at an altitude between 501 and 800 meters, and 111 at an altitude between 801 and 1,200 meters. All children with recurrent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and a history of bronchial asthma were considered to have bronchial asthma. RESULTS: The prevalence of childhood bronchial asthma in the mountains (800-1,200 meters) was twice as low as that at sea level (15.8% of children) (p <0.01). Parental smoking was more frequent in children who lived at sea level than in the mountains. Additionally, consumption of fish and oranges was more frequent at sea level. Children with asthma who lived in the mountains were absent fewer days from school per year (0.2) and had fewer nights with dyspnea per year (0.5) than asthmatic children who lived at sea level (1.6 days and 25 nights, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Bronchial asthma in children who live at high altitudes is characterized by low prevalence and low morbidity.
BACKGROUND: Some asthmatic children living in mountain areas experience significant improvement in daily symptoms and in the degree of bronchial obstruction. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of altitude on the prevalence and morbidity of childhood bronchial asthma. METHODS: A questionnaire regarding the history and symptoms of asthma was distributed to 874 children aged 6-12 years, to be completed by their parents with the help of their pediatrician. A total of 583 children lived at sea level, 180 at an altitude between 501 and 800 meters, and 111 at an altitude between 801 and 1,200 meters. All children with recurrent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and a history of bronchial asthma were considered to have bronchial asthma. RESULTS: The prevalence of childhood bronchial asthma in the mountains (800-1,200 meters) was twice as low as that at sea level (15.8% of children) (p <0.01). Parental smoking was more frequent in children who lived at sea level than in the mountains. Additionally, consumption of fish and oranges was more frequent at sea level. Children with asthma who lived in the mountains were absent fewer days from school per year (0.2) and had fewer nights with dyspnea per year (0.5) than asthmatic children who lived at sea level (1.6 days and 25 nights, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:Bronchial asthma in children who live at high altitudes is characterized by low prevalence and low morbidity.
Authors: Alberto Arnedo-Pena; Luis García-Marcos; Jorge Fuertes Fernández-Espinar; Alberto Bercedo-Sanz; Ines Aguinaga-Ontoso; Carlos González-Díaz; Ignacio Carvajal-Urueña; Rosa Busquet-Monge; Maria Morales Suárez-Varela; Nagore García de Andoin; Juan Batlles-Garrido; Alfredo Blanco-Quirós; Angel López-Silvarrey Varela; Gloria García-Hernández Journal: Int J Biometeorol Date: 2010-08-28 Impact factor: 3.787
Authors: U Kiechl-Kohlendorfer; E Horak; W Mueller; R Strobl; C Haberland; F M Fink; M Schwaiger; K H Gutenberger; H Reich; D Meraner; S Kiechl Journal: Arch Dis Child Date: 2007-04 Impact factor: 3.791
Authors: Emin Ozkaya; Ayhan Sogut; Mehmet Küçükkoç; Mustafa Eres; Hamit Acemoglu; Hasan Yuksel; Naci Murat Journal: Int J Biometeorol Date: 2015-03-04 Impact factor: 3.787
Authors: Ginés Viscor; Joan R Torrella; Luisa Corral; Antoni Ricart; Casimiro Javierre; Teresa Pages; Josep L Ventura Journal: Front Physiol Date: 2018-07-09 Impact factor: 4.566