scholarly journals Epidemiology of wheeze among preschool children: a population-based cross-sectional study from rural Sri Lanka

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e046688
Author(s):  
Shashanka Indeevara Rajapakse Rajapakse Mudiyanselage ◽  
Wadu Arachchige Dharshika Lakmali Amarasiri ◽  
Bannek Mudiyanselage Gedara Duminda Yasaratne ◽  
Janith Warnasekara ◽  
Suneth Agampodi

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of wheeze and factors associated with its severity among 3–6 years old children.MethodologyDesignA population-based, cross-sectional study using the WHO 30 cluster methodology with probability proportionate to size sampling.Setting36 preschools registered at the divisional secretariat offices of Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka.ParticipantsWe recruited 1060 preschool children from 36 preschools aged 3–6 years.Main outcome measurementsWe used the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood questionnaire to assess the prevalence, symptomatology and associated factors of wheeze.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 548 (51.70%) male and 512 (48.30%) female children with a mean age of 4.41 (±0.66) years. At least one wheezing episode ever was reported in 323 (30.47%; 95% CI 27.71% to 33.34%) children and 247 (23.30%; 95% CI 20.79% to 25.97%) children had a wheezing attack in the preceding year. Severe episodes of wheezing were reported in 76 (7.17%; 95% CI 5.69% to 8.89%) participants. However, only 27 (35.53%; 95% CI 24.88% to 47.34%) children with severe wheezing had been diagnosed as asthmatics by a clinician. The identified independent risk factors for severe wheeze were allergic rhinitis (OR 6.90; 95% CI 3.84 to 12.40), domestic dog(s) (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.01 to 5.40), frequent consumption of skipjack tuna (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.11 to 3.39) and passive smoking (OR 1.70; 95% CI 0.93 to 3.11) while living in a house with a cement floor is a protective factor (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.80).ConclusionWheezing commonly affects one-fourth of preschool children in rural Sri Lanka. Severe wheezing is often not diagnosed as asthma despite frequent symptoms, probably due to hesitancy in labelling preschool children as asthmatics. Allergic rhinitis, domestic dogs, frequent consumption of Skipjack tuna fish and exposure to passive smoking were independent risk factors for severe wheeze.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yee-How Say ◽  
Anna Hwee Sing Heng ◽  
Kavita Reginald ◽  
Yi Ru Wong ◽  
Keng Foo Teh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Acne vulgaris, a highly prevalent multifactorial inflammatory skin disease, can be categorised into different severity and scarring grades based on the type, number, and severity of lesions. While many epidemiology studies have investigated the risk factors for acne presentation, fewer studies have specifically studied the risk factors for acne severity and scarring. Therefore, this study investigated the prevalence of acne, acne severity and scarring grades, and their associated non-modifiable and modifiable epidemiological risk factors among Malaysian Chinese. Methods A total of 1840 subjects (1117 cases/723 controls) completed an investigator-administered questionnaire as part of a cross-sectional study, which include socio-demographics, familial history, lifestyle factors, dietary habits, and acne history. Acne cases were further evaluated for their severity (n = 1051) and scarring (n = 1052) grades by a trained personnel. Results Majority of the acne cases (up to 69%) had mild acne or Grade 1/2 scarring, while 21.6% had moderate/severe acne and 5.5% had Grade 3/4 scarring. Males had significantly higher risk of presenting with higher grades of acne scarring. Those who had acne, regardless of severity and scarring grades, had strong positive familial history (either in parents and/or sibling). Frequent consumption (most or all days) of foods that are commonly consumed during breakfast (butter, probiotic drinks, cereals and milk) decreased the risk for acne presentation and higher acne scarring, while periodic consumption (once/twice per week) of nuts and burgers/fast food decreased the risk for higher acne severity. Alcohol drinking was significantly associated with increased risk for acne presentation, while paternal, parental and household smoking were associated with reduced risk of more severe acne. Conclusions In conclusion, positive familial history is a strong predisposing factor in influencing acne presentation, severity and scarring. Frequent consumption of foods that are commonly consumed during breakfast is protective against acne presentation.


1989 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne K. Kjaer ◽  
Chantal Telsen ◽  
Birthe J. Haugaard ◽  
Elsebeth Lynge ◽  
René B. Christensen ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshihiko Yanase ◽  
Ikumi Yanagita ◽  
Yuya Fujihara ◽  
Chikayo Iwaya ◽  
Yuichi Kitajima ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Relatively low dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and high cortisol/DHEA ratio have been suggested to be associated with frailty, evaluated using a physical scale. However, the significance of these two hormones for frailty in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been assessed using a wider range of measures of frailty, including physical, mental, and social indices. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate the significance of these two hormones for frailty in elderly T2DM patients (n=148; ≥65 years), using a broad assessment, the clinical frailty scale, and to reevaluate the risk factors for frailty in elderly T2DM patients. We compared parameters between the non-frail and frail groups using the unpaired t and Mann-Whitney U tests. The Jonckheere-Therpstra test was used to identify relationships with the severity of frailty and risk factors were identified using binary regression analysis. Results: Simple regression analysis identified a number of significant risk factors for frailty, including DHEAS <70 µg/dL and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio ≥0.2. Multiple regression analysis showed that low albumin (<4.0 g/dl) (odds ratio [OR]=5.79, p <0.001), low aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity (<25 IU/L) (OR=4.34, p =0.009), and low body mass (BM) (<53 kg) (OR=3.85, p =0.012) were independent risk factors for frailty. A significant decrease in DHEA-S and a significant increase in the cortisol/DHEA-S ratio occurred alongside increases in the severity of frailty. DHEA-S concentration positively correlated with both serum albumin and BM. Conclusions: Hypoalbuminemia, low AST, and low BM are independent risk factors for frailty in elderly T2DM patients, strongly implying relative malnutrition in these frail patients. DHEA-S may be important for the maintenance of liver function and BM. A decrease in DHEA-S and an increase in the cortisol/DHEAS ratio may be involved in the mechanism of the effect of malnutrition in elderly T2DM patients.


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