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. 2012 Aug 29;2(1):15.
doi: 10.1186/2045-7022-2-15.

Prevalence of asthma in Portugal - The Portuguese National Asthma Survey

Ana Sa-Sousa  1 , Mário Morais-Almeida, Luis Filipe Azevedo, Rosa Carvalho, Tiago Jacinto, Ana Todo-Bom, Carlos Loureiro, António Bugalho-Almeida, Jean Bousquet, João Almeida Fonseca
Affiliations

Prevalence of asthma in Portugal - The Portuguese National Asthma Survey

Ana Sa-Sousa et al. Clin Transl Allergy. .

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a frequent chronic respiratory disease in both children and adults. However, few data on asthma prevalence are available in Portugal. The Portuguese National Asthma Survey is the first nationwide study that uses standardized methods. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of current asthma in the Portuguese population and to assess the association between 'Current asthma' and comorbidities such as upper airways disease.

Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based, telephone interview survey including all municipalities of Portugal was undertaken. Participants were randomly selected to answer a questionnaire based on the Portuguese version of the GA2LEN survey. 'Current asthma' was defined as self-reported lifetime asthma and at least one of 3 symptoms in the last 12 months: wheezing, waking with breathlessness or having an asthma attack.

Results: Data were obtained for 6 003 respondents, with mean age of 38.9 (95%CI 38.2-39.6) years and 57.3% females. In the Portuguese population, the prevalence of 'Current asthma' was 6.8% (95%CI 6.0-7.7) and of 'Lifetime asthma' was 10.5% (95%CI 9.5-11.6) Using GA2LEN definition for asthma, our prevalence estimate was 7.8% (95%CI 7.0-8.8). Rhinitis had a strong association with asthma (Adjusted OR 3.87, 95%CI 2.90-5.18) and the association between upper airway diseases and asthma was stronger in patients with both rhinitis and sinusitis (Adjusted OR 13.93, 95%CI 6.60-29.44).

Conclusions: Current asthma affects 695 000 Portuguese, with a prevalence of 6.8%. People who reported both rhinitis and sinusitis had the highest risk of having asthma.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participants flowchart. From the 17 698 households contacts, 6 003 participants were included in the study; 658 classified as having ‘Lifetime asthma’ and 450 as having ‘Current asthma’.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Current asthma prevalence in subgroups of adults by symptoms possible to affect the estimates. Symbols represent the prevalence of ‘Current asthma’ in people: ♦ without chronic bronchitis; ▲who smoked ≤10 packs-year; ■ without self reported heart disease and ● all participants of the age group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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