[Prevalence of asthma and related symptoms among adolescents in Guadeloupe: phase I of the ISAAC survey 2003]

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the ISAAC 1 study was to determine the prevalence and severity of asthma among adolescents in Guadeloupe.

Materials and methods: The study was carried out with a representative sample of young people in the second and third years of "college" (secondary school) in classes selected at random. The anonymous questionnaires were completed by pupils in 2003. 5097 questionnaires were processed.

Results: 49.7% of the adolescents stated they had already felt breathless or oppressed; 29% said they had experienced wheezing. Of the 812 adolescents who declared they had already suffered asthma attacks the medical diagnosis was confirmed for 89%. 22% had been hospitalised at least once for asthma. A high proportion had suffered severe attacks (3.5%). A considerable number of school days had been lost by asthma sufferers. Medical care is inappropriate and the pupils' knowledge of the peak flow is poor (only 15%).

Conclusions: The study confirmed the high frequency of asthma in Guadeloupe (14.1%) with high indicators of severity and it allowed a comparison to be made between Guadeloupe and the other regions which have carried out the ISAAC 1 study.