| A single period cross-sectional study was undertaken to describe the prevalence, risk factors and associated outcomes of asthma and other respiratory symptoms in 5-9 year old Seattle public school children. Information was obtained using a mailed questionnaire from parents of all first and second grade students enrolled between September, 1993 and June 1994 at 42 participating schools. Of the 4995 questionnaires mailed, the 1665 (33%) returned with complete demographic and respiratory symptom data were analyzed. The prevalence of a physician diagnosed asthma was 11.5%, and in the past year nighttime coughing was 22.7% and wheezing was 15%. Allergies, black ethnicity, male gender, and parental asthma were associated with an increased risk of physician diagnosed asthma, and, after adjusting for diagnosed asthma, the risk of wheezing in the past 12 months.;Information from this data set was also analyzed to assess health outcome risk among diagnosed asthmatics and those with current wheezing (wheezing in the past 12 months without a diagnosis of asthma) relative to children with neither condition. An increased risk of respiratory-related activity limitation, general limitation in running or walking, and parent perception of poorer child health was associated with both conditions. A history of severe wheezing was associated with a similar increase in respiratory-related sleep disturbances, and activity limitations in both groups. Additional information on the household environment was collected in this study between February and June 1994 to assess the household risk factors for diagnosed asthma and current wheezing. After adjusting for demographic factors and medical history, an increased risk of both diagnosed asthma and current wheezing was associated with household water damage, household tobacco smokers, and environmental tobacco smoke exposure. No increased risk of either condition was associated with gas, wood or kerosene stove use, household mold, basement water, or wall/window dampness.;These results suggest a similar etiology and burden of illness for diagnosed asthma and current wheezing. Public health efforts should target children with current wheezing for intervention to reduce the overall burden of childhood respiratory illness. |
