Abstract
Asthma exacerbation is an episode of acute worsening of asthmatic symptoms and exacerbation may depend on environmental factors. The present study is part of a large study of the prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in schoolchildren in the United Arab of Emirates (UAE). The aims and objectives of the present study were to compare asthma and respiratory symptoms in two groups of 987 schoolchildren, aged (5-14 years old). One group exposed to high level of air pollution living in the city of Fujairah, 200 km north of Dubai city (exposed group, n=537). The schools in Fujairah city were close to the mountainous area where some stone crushers were located. The other group exposed to low level of air pollution living in the city of Kalba, 50 km away from Fujairah city (control group, n=450). The schools in Kalba city were located between residential villas. Mean age of the exposed group was 7.7 years and the control was 9.8 years.We used the Arabic and English version of ISAAC questionnaire (the International study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood). The prevalence rates of ever wheezed, current wheeze, speech limitation, ever diagnosed with asthma, dry cough, and exercise-induced asthma in the exposed group were significantly higher than the control group (27.2%, 21.0%, 4.3%, 26.7%, 22.0%, and 21.5% vs. 21.6%, 16.4%, 3.0%, 22.2%, 20.9% and 18.2%, respectively). The present study reflects the effects of air pollution on asthma and respiratory symptoms and can help to implement intervention strategies to reduce asthma symptoms in this population.
- © 2014 ERS