Bronchial asthma in Jima: a prospective analysis of 204 patients

Two hundred and four (204) consecutive adult asthmatic patients who visited the outpatient clinic of Jima Institute of Medical Sciences from May 1 to August 30, 1989 were prospectively studied. Data on age, sex, ethnic distribution and the associated etiological factors were documented. The age range was from 17-75 (mean 33.4) years and the male to female ratio was 1.4:1. The majority (80%) were not members of the ethnic group indigenous to the area. Of the total, 175 (85%) were not natives of Jima town and its surroundings. One hundred and fifty (85.7%) of the latter developed the disease in Jima. Ninety-six (64%) of the 150 patients contracted the disease in less than 5 years of their stay in the area. Infections, emotional stress, dust, and weather changes were the main precipitating factors. The majority of the attacks occurred from June to October. Allergic rhinitis was present in 88% of the patients and atopic dermatitis in 3%. Forty-one (20%) patients had a family history of asthma. Forty-eight percent of the patients claimed that change of climate relieved their symptoms. Eosinophilia was documented in 51.5% and parasitic infestations were observed in 39% of patients. The study shows that a variety of environmental factors such as pollen dust, fungus and climatic changes play a major role and may account for the high performance of asthma in Jima town. It is recommended that further studies be conducted to find out the causative factors so that appropriate preventive measures can be implemented.