Research article
Prevalence of asthma and other allergic conditions in Colombia 2009–2010: a cross-sectional study
1 Research Department, Fundación Cardioinfantil – Instituto de Cardiología, Carrera 13 B N° 163-85. Torre A, tercer piso, Bogota, Colombia
2 Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, 6 No. 36-100, Cartagena, Colombia
3 Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Avenida 9 N° 117-120, second floor, Bogotá, Colombia
4 Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 N° 40-62, second floor, Bogotá, Colombia
5 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, Division of Biostatistics, 1616 Guadalupe Street Suite 6.300, Austin, TX, 78701, USA
6 Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, 1616 Guadalupe Street Suite 6.300, Austin, TX, 78701, USA
7 Pediatrics Department, Universidad El Bosque, Carrera 7 B Bis No. 132 – 11, Bogotá, Colombia
BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2012, 12:17 doi:10.1186/1471-2466-12-17
Published: 2 May 2012Abstract
Background
While it is suggested that the prevalence of asthma in developed countries may have stabilized, this is not clear in currently developing countries. Current available information for both adults and children simultaneously on the burden and impact of allergic conditions in Colombia and in many Latin American countries is limited. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence for asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), atopic eczema (AE), and atopy in six colombian cities; to quantify costs to the patient and her/his family; and to determine levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) in asthmatic and healthy subjects.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional, population-based study in six cities during the academic year 2009–2010. We used a school-based design for subjects between 5–17 years old. We carried out a community-based strategy for subjects between 1–4 years old and adults between 18–59 years old. Serum samples for total and antigen-specific (IgE) levels were collected using a population-based, nested, case–control design.
Results
We obtained information on 5978 subjects. The largest sample of subjects was collected in Bogotá (2392). The current prevalence of asthma symptoms was 12% (95% CI, 10.5-13.7), with 43% (95% CI, 36.3-49.2) reporting having required an emergency department visit or hospitalization in the past 12 months. Physician diagnosed asthma was 7% (95% CI, 6.1-8.0). The current prevalence of AR symptoms was 32% (95% CI, 29.5-33.9), and of AE symptoms was 14% (95% CI, 12.5-15.3). We collected blood samples from 855 subjects; 60.2% of asthmatics and 40.6% of controls could be classified as atopic.
Conclusions
In Colombia, symptom prevalence for asthma, AR and AE, as well as levels of atopy, are substantial. Specifically for asthma, symptom severity and absence from work or study due to symptoms are important. These primary care sensitive conditions remain an unmet public health burden in developing countries such as Colombia.
