Dietary factors were the most associated with asthma in this study. Besides rhinoconjunctivitis, consumption of stuffed biscuits and fried snacks (foods with high content of saturated fat) three or more times per week were independently associated with asthma as aggravating factors, while the consumption of fruits three or more times per week was associated with asthma as protective factor. Interventions acting on these factors may decrease the occurrence of asthma in this population.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of asthma among adolescents (13-14 years of age) in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 3,015 adolescents at public and private schools between 2006 and 2007. The participants completed the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. Results: The prevalences of "wheezing ever", "wheezing within the last 12 months" (active asthma) and "asthma ever" (physician-diagnosed asthma) were 44.1%, 22.6% and 11.6%, respectively. The prevalences of "wheezing ever" (p = 0.001), "1-3 wheezing attacks within the last 12 months" (p = 0.001), active asthma (p = 0.002), "sleep disturbed due to wheezing less than one night per week" (p < 0.001) and "dry cough at night" (p < 0.001) were higher among girls. Private school students presented higher prevalences of "wheezing ever", active asthma, "1-3 wheezing attacks within the last 12 months", "4-12 wheezing attacks within the last 12 months" and physician-diagnosed asthma (p < 0.001 for all), as well as of "exercise-induced wheezing" (p = 0.032). Conclusions: The prevalence of asthma and asthma-related symptoms in students aged 13-14 years in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil, was high, predominantly among girls and private school students. The difference between the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma and that of active asthma suggests that asthma was underdiagnosed in the population studied.Keywords: Asthma/diagnosis; Asthma/epidemiology; Asthma/prevalence. ResumoObjetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de asma em adolescentes (13-14 anos) na cidade de Fortaleza, CE. Métodos: Estudo transversal utilizando o questionário do International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood e envolvendo 3.015 adolescentes de escolas públicas e privadas entre 2006 e 2007. Resultados: As prevalências de "sibilos alguma vez na vida", "sibilos nos últimos doze meses" (asma ativa) e "asma alguma vez na vida" (asma diagnosticada) foram, respectivamente, 44,1%, 22,6% e 11,6%. As prevalências de "sibilos alguma vez na vida" (p = 0,001), "1-3 crises de sibilos nos últimos 12 meses" (p = 0,001); asma ativa (p = 0,002); "sono interrompido por sibilos menos que uma vez por semana" (p < 0,001) e "tosse seca noturna" (p < 0,001) foram maiores nas adolescentes. Alunos de escolas privadas apresentaram maior prevalência de "sibilos alguma vez na vida", asma ativa, "1-3 crises de sibilos nos últimos 12 meses", "4-12 crises de sibilos nos últimos 12 meses" e asma diagnosticada (p < 0,001 para todos), além de "sibilos após exercícios" (p = 0,032). Conclusões: A prevalência de asma e de sintomas associados em escolares de 13-14 anos na cidade de Fortaleza mostrou-se elevada, predominando no sexo feminino e no grupo das escolas privadas. A diferença entre as prevalências de asma diagnosticada e a de asma ativa sugere que a asma foi subdiagnosticada na população estudada.Descritores: Asma/diagnóstico; Asma/epidemiologia; Asma/prevalência. to the development of those diseases. The third phase was designe...

This study aimed to measure the prevalence rates for asthma and rhinitis and the association between the two conditions. This was a cross-sectional study of 3,015 adolescents (13-14 (p = 0.037 and p = 0.004, respectively). The study can help call health professionals' attention to the importance of an integrated approach to these illnesses, considering the "single airway" concept and seeking treatment options that act on both asthma and rhinitis when the two conditions present simultaneously.

Prevalence of rhinitis among 6 and 7-year old students in fortaleza rev assoc med Bras 2014; 60(4):357-364 357Original articlePrevalence of rhinitis among 6 and 7-year old students in Fortaleza Conclusion: the prevalence of rhinitis symptoms and associated morbidity among 6-7-year old schoolchildren in Fortaleza was above the Brazilian average, with predominance among private school students, without difference between genders. It was observed that rhinitis was underdiagnosed in this population.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalences of asthma and rhinitis in adolescents (13-14 years of age) in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2010, comparing the results with those obtained in a prevalence survey conducted in 2006-2007. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving probabilistic samples of 3,015 and 3,020 adolescents in surveys conducted in 2006-2007 and 2010, respectively. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood protocol was used on both occasions. RESULTS: Comparing the two periods, there were no significant differences regarding cumulative wheezing, active asthma, four or more wheezing attacks within the last year, sleep disturbed by wheezing more than one night per week, and speech-limiting wheezing. The prevalences of exercise-induced wheezing, dry cough at night, and physician-diagnosed asthma were significantly higher in 2010 than in the 2006-2007 period (p < 0.01 for all). The prevalence of physician-diagnosed rhinitis was significantly lower in 2010 (p = 0.01), whereas there were no significant differences between the two periods regarding cumulative rhinitis, current rhinitis, and rhinoconjunctivitis. In both periods, dry cough at night, current rhinitis, and rhinoconjunctivitis were significantly more prevalent in females than in males (p < 0.01 for all). Also in both periods, active asthma, current rhinitis, and rhinoconjunctivitis were more prevalent in private school students than in public school students (p < 0.01 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that the prevalences of asthma and rhinitis symptoms remain high among 13- and 14-year-olds in Fortaleza, predominantly among females and private school students.