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Published on: August 7, 2017
Prevalence of chronic bronchitis in the children of Lisbon
Insights
Chronic Bronchitis (CB) affects 4.9% of children in Lisbon. Measles, whooping cough, and socio-economic factors contribute to its incidence, while ENT issues are common in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Portugal faces high mortality rates from Chronic Bronchitis (CB), a significant cause of absenteeism and incapacity.
- Understanding CB prevalence in children is crucial for predicting adult disease development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Chronic Bronchitis (CB) in children in Lisbon.
- To investigate factors contributing to CB incidence in a pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- An epidemiological study involving 4148 children aged 6-14 in Lisbon.
- Utilized WHO standard questionnaires, physical and ENT examinations, respiratory function tests, and chest microradiography.
- Operational diagnosis of CB based on chronic cough for at least 3 months during Autumn/Winter over 2 years.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of Chronic Bronchitis (CB) in the studied pediatric population was 4.9%.
- Measles and whooping cough were identified as contributing factors to CB incidence.
- Socio-economic conditions likely increase CB incidence, and a high incidence of Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) pathology was observed in CB patients.
- Atmospheric pollution did not appear to influence CB incidence in this study.
Conclusions:
- Chronic Bronchitis (CB) is prevalent in Lisbon's children, influenced by infectious diseases and socio-economic factors.
- ENT pathology is frequently associated with pediatric CB.
- Further research into the interplay of these factors is warranted for effective prevention and management strategies.
Abstract:
Portugal is one of the European countries with the highest mortality from Chronic Bronchitis (CB). This constitutes a severe problem as CB is one of the main causes of absenteeism and incapacity. To determine the prevalence of this disease, an epidemiological study was planned. The first part of this study involved the children of Lisbon because of the large number of children attending chest clinics for respiratory symptoms, because a similar study is being carried out in Europe by WHO in children from 8 to 10 years of age and because of the importance that this type of study in children may have in the prediction of the development of CB in adults. The study consisted in a standard questionnaire (WHO), a physical examination based on the CECA questionnaire, an ENT examination, a simple respiratory function test and a 70 mm microradiograph of the chest. 4148 children of both sexes, whose ages ranged from 6 to 14 were studied. The operational diagnosis of CB was based on the presence of chronic cough for the past 2 years, for at least 3 months and nearly every day during the Autumn and Winter months. The prevalence of CB in the overall population was 4.9%. The global analysis of the data collected seems to show the following: - Measles and whooping cough contribute to the incidence of CB. --Socio-economic conditions probably contribute to the increase in the incidence of CB. --A high incidence of ENT pathology was found in CB. --Atmospheric pollution does not appear to influence the incidence of CB.
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