Prevalence of bronchial asthma among bank employees of Vellore using questionnaire-based data

Asthma and related allergic disorders are reported to be rare in poor and developing countries and their prevalence is expected to rise with urbanisation. Investigation was carried to see the prevalence of asthma and asthma-related symptoms by using a simple questionnaire-based data collection. One hundred and twenty bank employees were studied in the age group 25-55 years in 4 centres of Vellore town. A one-page questionnaire in English regarding asthma and allergic symptoms was used to assess the prevalence and the details of medical care utilisation by those who were asthmatics. The prevalence of self-reported bronchial asthma was 8.3% and that of asthma-related symptoms 15.8%. A significant number of subjects with symptoms suggestive of asthma self-reported themselves as non-asthmatic. There was a significant association between those who had symptoms of asthma and a positive family history of asthma. Most of the asthmatic subjects using allopathic medicines reported a poor quality of life, despite treatment. The prevalence of asthma in Vellore town is more than that reported in other studies carried out at different centres in India. The prevalence may actually be higher since a significant number of subjects with symptoms suggestive of asthma reported themselves as non-asthmatic subjects. As expected, positive family history was forthcoming in subjects with asthma symptoms. Most asthmatic subjects have not experienced a significant improvement in their quality of life, which could indicate sub-optimal management. These findings can form the basis for further studies to investigate factors that lead to these variations.