Prevalence and Severity of Asthma, Rhinitis and Eczema in Pre-School Children in the United Arab Emirates

Very few studies have been carried out on asthma and allergies in pre-schoolchildren. This is the first study of pre-school children with asthma and allergies in the United Arab Emirates. We studied 4,000 pre-schoolchildren from the United Arab Emirates: Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Al-Ain. The ages of the study group were between 1-5 years, and were 2,000 boys and 2,000 girls; they were randomly selected from kindergartens and nurseries. We used the standardised International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. The mean (SD) age, height, weight and BMI were 3.3 (1.4) years, 92.0 (1.3) cm, 17.3 (5.2) kg, and 23.4 (9.3). The prevalence rates of “wheeze ever”, “current wheeze”, “speech limitation”, “asthma” , “dry night cough”, and “exercise-induced asthma” were 40.4%, 43.8%, 37.6%, 26.5%, 36.1, and 37.6%, respectively. Boys had a significantly higher prevalence of wheeze ever and current wheeze than girls. Girls had a significantly higher prevalence of speech limitation than boys. The prevalence rates of “rhinitis ever”, “current rhinitis”, “itchy watery eyes” and “hay fever” were 42%, 40.5%, 39.1% and 46.9%, respectively. Boys had significantly higher prevalence rates of “rhinitis ever”, “current rhinitis”, and “itchy watery eyes” than girls. The prevalence rates of “rash ever”, “current rash” and “eczema ever” were 38.9%, 33.7% and 58.0%, respectively. Boys had significantly higher prevalence rates of rash ever, current rash, and eczema ever than girls. Children who were exposed to parental smoking have significantly higher prevalence rates of asthma, wheezing, and cough than those whom were not exposed. Children who breastfed more than 10 months had a significantly lower prevalence rates of “wheeze ever”, “current wheeze”, “speech limitation”, and “asthma”, than those whom breastfed less than 10 months. The prevalence rates of asthma, rhinitis and eczema were very high. Breastfeeding was found to be protective for asthma. The study can be used as a baseline intervention project to reduce incidents of asthma and allergies in these children and to establish atopic march in order to implement strategies to improve the respiratory health and allergies in these children. Keywords: asthma, wheeze, night cough, rhinitis, eczema, pre-school children, paediatric asthma

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A Systematic Review of the Prevalence of Atopic Diseases in Children on the Arabian Peninsula

Medical Principles and Practice ◽

10.1159/000493267 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (5) ◽

pp. 436-442 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Waleed Al-Herz

Keyword(s):

Food Allergy ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Arabian Peninsula ◽

Economic Status ◽

International Study ◽

Atopic Disease ◽

High Rate ◽

Prevalence Rates ◽

Atopic Diseases ◽

Pubmed Search

Objectives: To study the available data on the prevalence of atopic diseases and food allergy in children living on the Arabian Peninsula. Methods: A PubMed search for relevant published articles was conducted using the following search terms singly or in combination: “atopy,” “atopic disease,” “atopic disorder,” “International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood,” “ISAAC,” “asthma,” “allergic rhinitis,” “eczema,” and “food allergy” in combination with the names of countries of the Arabian Peninsula (Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Yemen). The search captured studies published up to December 2017. Results: A total of 8 publications reporting prevalence rates of any type of atopic disease in children in 7 countries of the Arabian Peninsula were retrieved. The prevalence of all atopic disorders was comparable between countries of the Arabian Peninsula. The overall prevalence of asthma ranged from 8 to 23%, while the reported prevalence of eczema ranged from 7.5 to 22.5%. There was great variation in the prevalence rates of rhinoconjunctivitis, which ranged from 6.3 to 30.5%. The prevalence of food allergy (8.1%) was reported for 1 country only, the United Arab Emirates. Conclusions: The reported overall rates of atopic disease in countries of the Arabian Peninsula are comparable to those reported in other industrialized countries. This is probably related to the good economic status in the region, which is reflected in the living standards and lifestyle. Further, genetic factors, such as factors related to gene polymorphism, and the high rate of consanguinity in the region may contribute to the higher prevalence of atopic diseases.

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Changing use of the emergency department by the elderly in the United Arab Emirates,1989 and 1999

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal ◽

10.26719/2002.8.2-3.409 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 8 (2-3) ◽

pp. 409-415

Author(s):

S. A. Margolis ◽

R. L. Reed

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Emergency Room ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

The Elderly ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Male Ratio ◽

Al Ain ◽

The Mean ◽

Over Time

Changes in use by the elderly of the emergency department of a major hospital in Al-Ain in the years 1989 and 1999 were examined. All patients aged 65 years or older who attended the emergency room were included in this cross-sectional survey. Patient numbers rose from 321 in 1989 to 1347 in 1999 with no significant change in the female to male ratio of 0.78 or the mean age of the elderly attendees 72.9 +/- 7.4 years. Attendance rose 5.4 fold while non-urgent attendance rose 14.7 fold, demonstrating rising use but falling illness severity over time.

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Epidemiology of Bronchiolitis in Hospitalized Infants at Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

The Open Respiratory Medicine Journal ◽

10.2174/1874306402115010007 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 7-13

Author(s):

Amar Al Shibli ◽

Muhammad B. Nouredin ◽

Abdulla Al Amri ◽

Durdana Iram ◽

Hassib Narchi

Keyword(s):

United Arab Emirates ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

Significant Morbidity ◽

Male Predominance ◽

Al Ain ◽

Chest X Ray ◽

Hospital Resources ◽

The Mean ◽

Syncytial Virus

Background: Bronchiolitis is the commonest lower respiratory tract infection, found worldwide in children < 2 years of age. Over sixty percent of cases are caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The disease is known to have significant morbidity, mortality and health care costs. Its seasonal variability, manifestations and complications vary between countries. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis in Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates. Methods: Retrospective observational chart review was made of an unselected cohort of infants ≤ 2 years admitted to the pediatric department of Tawam hospital over a 3-year period and discharged with the diagnosis of bronchiolitis. Epidemiological data and risk factors were analyzed. Results: RSV was the commonest pathogen (51%). Hospitalizations occurred year-round but increased significantly in December and January. The patients’ median age was 5.8 months with a male predominance (male:female ratio of 1.5:1.0). The mean age at admission was 6.6 months and presentation occurred, on average, 2.9 days after the onset of the symptoms. The majority (94%) had respiratory distress on presentation. Chest x-ray was performed in 80% of the patients. Most children received bronchodilator therapy and oxygen therapy was administered to 42%. The mean duration of hospital stay was 3 days. Conclusion: Bronchiolitis remains a common reason for hospital admission and carries significant morbidity. RSV is the primarily responsible virus for hospital admissions and morbidity. A better understanding of the burden of bronchiolitis in our setting would enable better planning and use of hospital resources to minimize its short and long-term sequelae.

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Factors related to under-diagnosis and undertreatment of childhood asthma in metropolitan France

Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine ◽

10.4081/mrm.2012.611 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Isabella Annesi-Maesano ◽

Carla Sterlin ◽

Denis Caillaud ◽

Fréderic De Blay ◽

François Lavaud ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Childhood Asthma ◽

Asthma Management ◽

International Study ◽

Good Control ◽

Medical Visit ◽

Positive Skin ◽

Children With Asthma ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Using Data ◽

Exercise Induced

Background: Under-diagnosis and under-treatment of childhood asthma were investigated in France using data collected during the 6 Cities Study, the French contribution to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Methods: 7,781 schoolchildren aged between 9 and 10 years underwent a medical visit including skin prick tests to common allergens and exercise test for Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA) and their parents filled in a standardized questionnaire on asthma, management, treatment and potential risk factors. Results: 903 children reported asthma (11.6%), 377 without a doctor’s diagnosis. Of the 526 participants with a diagnosis of asthma confirmed by a doctor (58.2%), 353 were treated and 76 were not treated during the year preceding the investigation despite their diagnosis. The information on the treatment was missing for the rest of individuals diagnosed with asthma (n = 97). Having a treatment was significantly associated with severe asthma and with the presence of other respiratory and allergic stigmata (atopic eczema, rhinitis, positive skin allergy tests, and EIA). In addition, having a treatment did not correspond to a good control of the disease. Similarly, children with asthma-like symptoms but without doctor-diagnosed asthma had asthma less well controlled than children with diagnosed asthma. They were also more exposed to passive smoking and traffic but had fewer pets. In contrast, diagnosed children reported more frequently a small weight at birth and a preterm birth. Conclusions: In France, childhood asthma is still under-diagnosed and under-treated and environmental factors play a role in these phenomena.

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Prevalence of overweight and associated risk factors among primary female school children in Al-Ain city United Arab Emirates

Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture ◽

10.9755/ejfa.v12i1.5047 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 43 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Abdelhamid Kerkadi ◽

Nassar AboElnaga ◽

Wissam Ibrahim

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

School Children ◽

Al Ain ◽

Associated Risk Factors

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Behaviour disorders in primary school children in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Annals of Tropical Paediatrics ◽

10.1080/02724936.1995.11747756 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 97-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Moza A. Al-Kuwaiti ◽

M. Moshaddeque Hossain ◽

Gamil H. Absood

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

School Children ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Al Ain

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Enjoyment and self-reported physical competence according to Body Mass Index: international study in European primary school children

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness ◽

10.23736/s0022-4707.20.10550-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 60 (7) ◽

Author(s):

Matteo Giuriato ◽

Nicola Lovecchio ◽

Jaroslaw Fugiel ◽

Guillermo F. Lopez Sanchez ◽

Maret Pihu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Primary School ◽

Body Mass ◽

School Children ◽

International Study ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Physical Competence

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A multicenter prospective hospital-based cohort study on the efficacy and safety of pitavastatin.

Current Diabetes Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573399817666201228164243 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

Author(s):

Abdullah Shehab ◽

Asim Ahmed Elnour ◽

Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula ◽

Joseph Pulavelil Kurian ◽

Gazi Hassan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Adverse Events ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Low Density ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Onset Diabetes ◽

The Mean ◽

New Onset

Aims: We aim to investigate the efficacy and safety of pitavastatin 4 mg in a population of people living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Background: Pitavastatin is a member of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors family which was approved for use in adult subjects with primary hyperlipidemia or mixed dyslipidemia. To date, no published studies have assessed the efficacy and safety of pitavastatin in the United Arab Emirates. Objective: The main objective of the current study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of pitavastatin in subjects with dyslipidemia for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases based on total cardiovascular risk. Methods: This was a multicentre (four private hospitals) prospective cohort study to analyze data on the use of pitavastatin for dyslipidemia in adult outpatients in Abu Dhabi and Dubai emirates, United Arab Emirates. We have followed-up the clinical profiles of subjects in four hospitals for six-weeks during the period from June 2015 to June 2017. Efficacy was based on the evaluation of the mean (± standard deviation) change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol between baseline and week six after the initiation of pitavastatin therapy. Safety was reported as the incidence of adverse events occurred with the use of pitavastatin and the development of new-onset diabetes. Results: A total of 400 subjects who were receiving pitavastatin 4 mg were included. The mean age of subjects was 50.7 ±10.8 years, of these 79.0% were males. At the baseline, the mean level of total cholesterol was 185.4 ±41.5 mg/dL, low density lipoprotein was 154.9 ±48.55 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 40.5 ±11.23 mg/dL and fasting blood glucose was 115.0 (±16.63) mg/dl. At the end of six weeks, low density lipoprotein levels significantly decreased to 112.09 ±41.90 mg/dl (standard mean difference [SMD] (-42.8%), 95% CI: -42.88 [-49.17 to -36.58] mg/dl, P <0.001), while high density lipoprotein levels improved (SMD, 95% CI: 1.77% [0.25 to 3.28] mg/dl, P <0.022). There were 55 subjects (13.7%) reported various adverse events such as myalgia (7.5%), sleep disorders (2.5%), and myopathy (2.2%). Furthermore, 4 (1.0%) have had developed new-onset diabetes post six-weeks of initiation of pitavastatin therapy. Conclusion: Pitavastatin 4 mg had howed robust efficacy in reducing LDL-C levels and improving HDL-C levels in subjects with dyslipidemias. The use of pitavastatin was associated with a low discontinuation rate, fewer adverse events, and very limited cases of new-onset diabetes.

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Dementia epidemiology in Hungary based on data from neurological and psychiatric specialty services

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89179-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nóra Balázs ◽

András Ajtay ◽

Ferenc Oberfrank ◽

Dániel Bereczki ◽

Tibor Kovács

Keyword(s):

Psychiatric Services ◽

Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽

Prevalence Rates ◽

Health Insurance System ◽

Crude Incidence ◽

Specialist Services ◽

Single Payer ◽

Icd 10 ◽

Medical Reports ◽

The Mean

AbstractHungary has a single-payer health insurance system covering 10 million inhabitants. All medical reports of the in- and outpatient specialist services were collected in the NEUROHUN database. We used ICD-10 codes of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), miscellaneous dementia group and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) for the inclusion of the patients. Incidence, prevalence and survival of different dementias and MCI were calculated and analyzed depending on the diagnoses given by neurological or psychiatric services or both. Between 2011 and 2016, the mean crude incidence of all dementias was 242/100,000/year, whereas the age standardized incidence was 287/100,000/year. Crude and age standardized mean prevalence rates were 570/100,000 and 649/100,000, respectively. There were significantly more VaD diagnoses than AD, the VaD:AD ratio was 2.54:1, being the highest in patients with psychiatric diagnoses only (4.85:1) and the lowest in patients with only neurological diagnoses (1.32:1). The median survival after the first diagnosis was 3.01 years regarding all dementia cases. Compared to international estimates, the prevalence of dementia and MCI is considerably lower in Hungary and the VaD:AD ratio is reversed.

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