[The interrelationship of bronchial hyperreactivity and wheezing in children]

Likars'Ka Sprava
|January 8, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Asthma and wheezing are common in children in Kiev, affecting nearly one-third of those aged 6-14. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness increases with age and can persist despite treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
  • Epidemiology
  • Allergology

Background:

  • Asthma and wheezing are significant global public health concerns in childhood.
  • Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of these conditions in specific urban populations is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of asthma and wheezing symptoms in children aged 6-7 and 13-14 years in Kiev.
  • To assess the prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in these age groups.
  • To investigate the relationship between age, wheezing, asthma, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized standardized International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) protocols.
  • Studied two age cohorts: 6-7 years and 13-14 years, with 400 children in each group.
  • Assessed symptoms of wheezing, asthma diagnosis, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Main Results:

  • Wheezing prevalence was 29.3% in 6-7 year olds and 25.5% in 13-14 year olds.
  • Asthma prevalence was 30.7% in 6-7 year olds and 31.3% in 13-14 year olds.
  • Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was noted in 56.6% of younger children and 70.2% of older children, increasing with age and persisting despite treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Asthma and wheezing are highly prevalent in Kiev's pediatric population.
  • Bronchial hyperresponsiveness is common and tends to become persistent with age, indicating a significant underlying airway issue.
  • Findings highlight the need for effective, long-term management strategies for pediatric respiratory conditions in this region.

Related Concept Videos

Allergic Reactions02:06

Allergic Reactions

Overview
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management01:20

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations01:13

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...