[Risk factors for asthma, allergy and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in children aged 6-8 years old]

To determine risk factors for asthma, allergy and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in children aged 6-8 years old from Huesca (Spain).

Cross-sectional study of asthma, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, using the prick test and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (free-running test, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec) in a random sample (n = 309) of children aged 6-8 years oldfrom an urban area (n = 1,051). To evaluate differences in the study variables between asthmatics and non-asthmatics, allergic and non-allergic children and BHR-positive and BHR-negative children, a bivariate analysis was performed using the Chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test. Multiple regression analysis was used to study the association between asthma, allergy and BHR and the study variables. Beta-coefficients and their corresponding standard deviations were calculated according to the maximum verisimilitude method using the SPSS program.

The theoretical sample included 305 children and informed consent was requested from 357 parents or guardians. The participation rate was 86.55 % (n = 309). The results of the multivariate analysis were as follows: (1) risk factors for asthma were a history of asthma in the immediate family (OR: 5.17; 95 % CI: 21.82-1.23), cutaneous sensitization to aeroallergens (OR: 8.49; 95 % CI: 30.52-2.37) and recurrent bronchitis during the first 2 years of life (OR: 4.68; 95 % CI: 17.76-1.24); (2) risk factors for allergy were symptoms of atopic dermatitis (OR: 10.87; 95 % CI: 38.63-3.06), a history of asthma in the immediate family (OR: 6.11; 95 % CI: 27.68-1.38) and male sex (OR: 4.53; 95 % CI: 19.55-1.05); (3) risk factors for BHR were recurrent bronchitis during the first 2 years of life (OR: 4.56; 95 % CI: 20.24-1.02), symptoms of atopic dermatitis (OR: 4.15; 95 % CI: 16.28-1.06) and cutaneous sensitization to aeroallergens (OR: 3.43; 95 % CI: 10.91-1.08).

The risk factors for asthma, allergy and BHR have been determined in children aged 6-8 years old from Huesca.