An Estimate of the Prevalence of Asthma and Wheezing Among Inner-City Children

摘要: OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of asthma and wheezing unassociated with a diagnosis among inner-city children. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey sample Bronx households. METHODS Random digit dialing telephone using parental report. SETTING County, NY. PARTICIPANTS 662 self-designated heads-of-household who reported for all children 0 through 17 years age living in their MEASUREMENTS Questions from Child Health Supplement to 1988 National Interview Survey International Union Against Tuberculosis Lung Disease Bronchial Symptoms Questionnaire were used wheezing-related illness. RESULTS Information was gathered on 1285 Of this sample, 184 (14.3%) have ever had (cumulative prevalence) 111 (8.6%) last 12 months (period prevalence). The period rate twice United States (4.3%). Among 11 age, similar boys girls, although significantly more prevalent boys. Fifty-four (4.2%) past (wheeze only). cumulative, but not period, differed by income race/ethnicity. cumulative higher Hispanics lowest families. wheeze only (no history asthma) whites (6.4%) blacks (5.8%) than (2.9%) (P < .1). number attacks average nights per week that sleep disturbed during year those only, severe (wheezing enough limit speech) likely .001). total plus only) 12.8% quite consistent across subgroups. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest may be substantially rates group estimated national data. Some proportion represent undiagnosed, thereby undertreated, asthma. Public health efforts directed at reducing morbidity mortality need address possibility is within inner cities large inadequately diagnosed treated.