The prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema among school‐aged children in Qatar: A Global Asthma Network Study

Abstract

This cross‐sectional study aims to utilize the Global Asthma Network (GAN) questionnaires to estimate the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema among children in Qatar. The study population was comprised of children ages 6–7 and 13–14 years, along with their parents or guardians. The English and Arabic versions of the GAN questionnaires were used to collect data for this study. A total of 2646 participants were recruited (1210 in the 6–7 years age group and 1436 in the 13–14 years age group), in addition to a total of 3831 parents or guardians. The overall prevalence of diagnosed asthma, lifetime allergic rhinitis, and diagnosed eczema in our study sample were as follows: 34.6%, 30.9%, and 37.4%, respectively. The current study showed an increased prevalence rate of asthma and eczema comparing to previous local estimates. These rates were higher in some cases or comparable in other cases to those found elsewhere. It is recommended that future research focus on studying the various factors contributing to the cases of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema in Qatar. The reporting of this study conforms with the STROBE statement.

Associations between HLA class II alleles and IgE sensitization to allergens in the Qatar Biobank cohort

“…Allergic diseases are a consequence of gene–environment interactions, and not all sensitized individuals develop allergic diseases. Nonetheless, a recent cross-sectional study 84 revealed that the prevalence of diagnosed asthma, lifetime allergic rhinitis, and diagnosed eczema among children in Qatar was as high as 34.6%, 30.9%, and 37.4%, respectively. These findings suggest that a considerable proportion of the sensitized individuals assessed in this present study may also have clinical signs of allergic disease.…”

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis among children aged between 6 months and 12 years attending primary health care clinics in Qatar 2018-2019

“…11 Our study results are consistent with the current Global asthma network study published from the secondary care data from Qatar. 12 According to them when they compare the previous global asthma network study in Qatar back in 2006 showed that noticeable increase in diagnosed eczema (37.4% vs. 22.5%) rates. When comparing these findings to rates from the Gulf region, these rates are higher than those reported for allergic diseases in school children in Saudi Arabia (24%), United Arab Emirates (13%) and in Kuwait (12%).…”

Pediatric pulmonology 2022 year in review: Asthma

“…The authors hypothesized potential causes for this increase, including an increase in urbanization. 6 In a similar study, Yazar and colleagues used the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaires to assess the prevalence of asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis in children in Konya, Turkey. The authors found a significant increase in asthma and allergic rhinitis, yet a decrease in eczema, when compared to data from 11 years prior.…”

“…Allergic rhinitis prevalence remained the same. The authors hypothesized potential causes for this increase, including an increase in urbanization 6 . In a similar study, Yazar and colleagues used the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaires to assess the prevalence of asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis in children in Konya, Turkey.…”