Prevalence of asthma and wheeze in two different climatic areas of Saudi Arabia

In a cross-sectional study, the prevalence of asthma and wheeze was studied in 2300 school going children in two different environment and climate regions of Saudi Arabia, Dammam (humid-coastal) and Riyadh (dry-inland). The age range of children studied was 7-12 years (56% boys and 44% girls in Dammam; and 47% boys and 53% girls in Riyadh). A self-administered questionnaire was completed by parents of the children which includes information on age, sex, area, occupation and educational level of parents, history of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, cough, wheeze, animals and pets exposure, family history of allergy and parental smoking habits. The results showed that prevalence of wheeze was more common in Riyadh (11.86%) than in Dammam (6.54%). Also, cough occurred more frequently in Riyadh (7.9%) than in Dammam (6%). The frequency of rhinitis was significantly more common in both areas than wheeze (Riyadh 17% and Dammam 12%). Also, the attack of breathlessness or tightness occurred more frequently in Riyadh (12.13%) than in Dammam (6.10%). When a more formal diagnosis of asthma was sought, this having been made by a doctor, the figures were 9.28% for Riyadh and 3.59% for Dammam. These figures showed major differences between the coastal and inland areas in the prevalence of bronchial asthma and wheezing with Dammam being relatively low risk whereas children in Riyadh region describe this more commonly.