Prevalence of asthma and its symptoms in schoolchildren from Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a chronic disease that has increased over the past 2 decades. Objective: To determine the prevalence of asthma and its symptoms in the city of Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. Methods: A descriptive study of prevalence in public schools of the city of Cuernavaca, Morelos, at the preschool, elementary, and high school levels using the “Asthma diagnosis for epidemiological studies questionnaire.” Results: 7947 surveys were obtained from students ages 3 to 15 years, funding a prevalence of asthma of 11.9%, 49% in boys and 51% in girls. As for the symptoms of asthma, the highest prevalence was cough that increases with cold weather (63%), however, in asthma patients this symptom only occurred in 17%; chest tightness had the lowest prevalence of symptoms (10%); however, in asthma patients it was 49%. Conclusions: The asthma diagnosis for epidemiological studies questionnaire found an average asthma prevalence of 11.9% in preschool, elementary, and high school students, slightly below that diagnosed in other cities in central Mexico. The prevalence of asthma symptoms was higher than the diagnosis of asthma.

Keywords

• Asma
• Prevalencia
• Síntomas
• Estudios epidemiológicos