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Childhood asthma diagnosis and use of asthma medication
M Cagney1, C R MacIntyre, P B McIntyre
1Westmead Hospital, New South Wales.
Insights
This study found a high prevalence of childhood asthma in Western Sydney, with 31% of children diagnosed. Early diagnosis before age two may contribute to overdiagnosis, impacting accurate asthma burden assessment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric respiratory health
- Epidemiology of childhood asthma
Background:
- Asthma is a significant public health concern in children.
- Understanding the prevalence and associated factors of childhood asthma is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and burden of asthma in children aged 5-14 years in Western Sydney.
- To identify factors associated with a reported asthma diagnosis in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, randomized, computer-assisted telephone survey was conducted.
- A community-based sample of 2020 children aged 5-14 years was surveyed over 20 days in June-July 2000.
Main Results:
- 31% of children had a reported asthma diagnosis, with 42% diagnosed at age two or younger.
- 21% of children used asthma medications in the previous year.
- Factors associated with asthma diagnosis included male gender, birth in Australia, English-speaking household, Aboriginality, health care card possession, prior pneumonia, pertussis, and croup.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of asthma and medication use was confirmed in the studied pediatric population.
- The high rate of diagnosis before age two suggests potential overdiagnosis, which may inflate the apparent asthma prevalence.
- Further research is needed to refine diagnostic criteria and improve the accuracy of asthma burden estimation in young children.
Aim:
To determine the burden of asthma in children.
Methods:
A cross sectional, randomised, computer assisted telephone survey of a community based sample of 2020 children aged 5-14 years in western Sydney (New South Wales) over a 20 day period from June 2000 to July 2000.
Results:
Main outcome measures were carer reported history of asthma diagnosis, hospital presentation/admission for asthma, recent use of anti-asthma medications, and recent respiratory symptoms. Diagnosed asthma was reported in 31% (of whom 42% were diagnosed aged 2 years or under) and asthma medications used in the previous year by 21% of children. Factors significantly associated with a reported asthma diagnosis included: male gender (OR: 1.51), birth in Australia (OR: 1.64), living in an English speaking household (OR: 1.47), Aboriginality (OR: 2.32), possession of a health care card (OR: 1.28), previous pneumonia (OR: 2.4) or pertussis (OR: 2.0), and a recent episode of croup (OR: 1.9). Exposure to tobacco smoke and immunisation status were not significant.
Discussion:
We confirm a high prevalence of asthma and medication use for asthma. The high proportion of children diagnosed asthmatic at 2 years or under (when asthma cannot be diagnosed reliably) suggests overdiagnosis of asthma may contribute to the apparent high prevalence.
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