Epidemiology of asthma in India

Abstract

Allergic respiratory disorders, in particular asthma are increasing in prevalence, which is a global phenomenon. Even though genetic predisposition is one of the factors in children for the increased prevalence - urbanisation, air pollution and environmental tobacco smoke contribute more significantly. Our hospital based study on 20,000 children under the age of 18 years from 1979,1984,1989,1994 and 1999 in the city of Bangalore showed a prevalence of 9%,10.5%,18.5%, 24.5% and 29.5% respectively. The increased prevalence correlated well with demographic changes of the city. Further to the hospital study, a school survey in 12 schools on 6550 children in the age group of 6 to 15 years was undertaken for prevalence of asthma and children were categorized into three groups depending upon the geographical situation of the school in relation to vehicular traffic and the socioeconomic group of children. Group I-Children from schools of heavy traffic area showed prevalence of 19.34%, Group II-Children from heavy traffic region and low socioeconomic population had 31.14% and Group III-Children from low traffic area school had 11.15% respectively. (P: I & II; II & III <0.001). A continuation of study in rural areas showed 5.7% in children of 6-15 years. The persistent asthma also showed an increase from 20% to 27.5% and persistent severe asthma 4% to 6.5% between 1994-99. Various epidemiological spectra of asthma in children are discussed here.

Clinical study of lower respiratory tract infections in children attending a tertiary care hospital

“…However, the incidence of LRTI in present study was significantly lower when compared with the findings of Paramesh et al who reported the incidence of 12.85% in his study. 5 The reason can be explained by not including children <1 month and >12 years of age in the study. Incidence of RTI in an area is dependable upon multiple factors like season of the study, climatic factors of the region and cultural and traditional factors.…”

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Asthma in School Going Children in South India

“…A study from south Karnataka among rural children aged 6-15 years reported a prevalence of 10.5% 11 . Another study from Bangalore revealed that the prevalence of asthma in children less than 18 years has increased steadily from 9% in 1979 to 29.5% in 1999 5 . In Tamil Nadu, data from Chennai published in 2002 showed that the prevalence of diagnosed asthma was 5% in children below 12 years of age 6 .…”

“…There is also a wide variation (4% to 19%) in the prevalence of asthma in school going children reported from different geographical areas of India 4 . While in Bangalore it was 29.5%, the prevalence of diagnosed asthma in Tamil Nadu was only 5% 5,6 . Hence prevalence data from many more regions of India are needed.…”

Prevalence of Asthma in School going Children of Semi-Urban Area in the State of Madhya Pradesh

“…[2][3][4][5] The steady rise in prevalence is correlated with demographic changes in city like increase in number of industries, increased density of population from migration of rural population and increased number of automobiles to commute resulting in air pollution. 5 Data on prevalence of asthma is now available from several countries. There is very limited data on asthma epidemiology from the developing countries including India.…”