Lower Airway Disorders

[摘要] PATHOPHYSIOLOGYIMPACT OF CHILDHOOD ASTHMA ON HEALTHTaylor WR, Newacheck PW. Pediatrics. 1992;90:657-662Purpose of the Study(1) Determine the prevalence of childhood asthma;(2) describe the sociodemographic characteristics of children with asthma; and (3) describe asthma's effect on functional status and medical care utilization.MethodIn 1988, a questionnaire was administered in the home to a randomly selected sample of 17 110 children younger than 18 years of age. The parent or responsible adult family member was asked whether the child had any asthma in the past 12 months. If yes, other questions regarding limitation of activity, school absenteeism, days confined to bed, number of doctor contacts, and number of days hospitalized were asked. Standard demographic data were also obtained, including details about smokers in the household.FindingsThe prevalence of asthma in this survey was 4.3% (ie, the percentage of children who reported an occurrence of asthma in the past 12 months). Almost 30% of children with asthma had some limitation in activity, compared with only 5% of children without asthma. Ten percent of children with asthma had severe disease as measured by frequency of bother and limitations in function; these children accounted for 35% of hospitalizations for asthma and 77% of the days in the hospital. The prevalence rate of asthma among boys was 50% greater than among girls; the rate in black children was 26% higher than among white children. Children who were living in a household that earned less than the poverty level had a significantly higher prevalence of asthma than children in higher income households.

[学科分类] 儿科学