Abstract
Objective
The prevalence of asthma, which has become a widespread disease, increases steadily. Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation, airway hyperreagibility and obstruction. Since there is only little information about its prevalence and comorbidities, the aim of this study is to analyze the prevalence of asthma and its main comorbidities in the population of the German federal state Saarland.
Material & Methods
Data of 185.999 physicians' consultations in Saarland in 2009 was analyzed regarding percentual amounts of asthma diagnoses and comorbidities. Data was categorized after gender and age group (group 1: 0–17y; group 2: 18–60y; group 3: >61y).
Results
Asthmatics living in Saarland represent 5.3% of the overall population. The percentual amount of allergic asthma is 34% ([female]: 57%, [male]: 43%). The gender- and age-dependent amounts of allergic asthma: group 1: [female] 7.9%, [male] 12.5%; group 2: [female] 37.9%, [male] 24.4%; group 3: [female] 11.1%, [male] 6.2%.
There are numerous comorbidities in the context of asthma. Their percentual amounts: allergic rhinitis 37.2%; unspecified allergic reactions 13.1%; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 10.4%; atopic dermatitis 8%; gastro-oesophageal reflux 6.6%; sinusitis 5.9%; allergic conjunctivitis 3.3%; rhinopharyngitis 3.3%; drug side effects 1.6%; food allergy 1.1%.
The distribution of the comorbidities is gender-specific. Women are mostly more often affected.
Conclusion
The prevalence of allergic asthma, which is mostly attended by comorbidities, is 5.3% in Saarland. Women are mostly more affected. We suggest the implication of comorbidities when diagnosing asthma and elaborating a therapy.
- © 2014 ERS