Adherencia de la dieta de la población gallega a los patrones de dieta mediterránea y atlántica

[Resumen] Introducción: En salud pública los patrones dietéticos son importantes pues son mejor interpretados por la población. Su estudio mediante índices de adherencia intenta evaluar globalmente la calidad de la dieta basándose en un patrón de referencia descrito a priori. Durante 40 años el patrón de dieta mediterráneo (PDM) ha demostrado amplios beneficios para la salud. El patrón de dieta atlántica (PDA) comparte características comunes con el PDM, pero ciertas particularidades hacen pensar en un patrón propio del Atlántico. Objetivo: Estimar en población gallega adulta, la distribución de índices seleccionados que miden la adherencia al PDM y al PDA. Metodología: Estudio transversal. Población gallega ≥18 años. Muestreo aleatorio polietápico estratificado. Se recogieron datos sociodemográficos, antropométricos, actividad física. La información nutricional mediante un recordatorio de 24 horas y un cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo. La adherencia al PDM se evaluó con dos índices (Panagiotakos et al. y Trichopoulou et al) y al PDA con uno (Oliveira et al.) Resultados-Conclusiones: Participación de 89,4%. Galicia se adhiere al PDM tan intensamente como poblaciones mediterráneas y al PDA más que la población española. La adherencia fue menor en los jóvenes en ambos índices. En Galicia se detecta un patrón de dieta propio, distinto al PDM.[Abstract] Background: public health dietary patterns are important because they are best interpreted by the population. Their study attempts by adherence indexes try to globally assess the quality of the diet based on a reference standard described a priori. For 40 years the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) has demonstrated broad health benefits. The Atlantic dietary pattern (ADP) shares common features with the PDM, but certain features suggest an Atlantic own pattern. Aim: To estimate in Galician adult population, the distribution of selected indices that measure adherence to MDP and ADP. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Galician population ≥18 years. Multistage stratified random sampling. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, physical activity data were collected. The nutritional information through a 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire. Adherence to the MDP was assessed with two indexes (Panagiotakos et al and Trichopoulou et al.) and one for the ADP (Oliveira et al.) Results-Conclusions: Participation= 89.4%. Galician population adhere to the MDP as intensely as Mediterranean populations and to the ADP best than the Spanish population. The compliance with the indexes was significantly poorer among youngers. An own dietary pattern is detected in Galicia, different from the MDP.[Resumo] Introdución: En saúde pública, os patróns dietéticos son importantes porque son mellor interpretados pola poboación. O seu estudo mediante índices de adhesión intenta avaliar globalmente a calidade da dieta baseada nun estándar de referencia descrito a priori. Por 40 anos o patrón de dieta mediterránea (PDM) demostrou grandes beneficios para a saúde. O patrón de dieta do Atlántico (PDA) comparte características comúns co PDM, pero certas características suxiren un patrón propio do Atlántico. Obxectivo: Estimar na poboación adulta de Galicia, a distribución de índices seleccionados que miden a adhesión ao PDM e ao PDA. Metodoloxía: Estudo transversal. Poboación galega ≥18 anos. Mostraxe aleatoria estratificada en múltiples etapas. Recolléronse datos sociodemográficos, antropométricos e de actividade física. A información nutricional a través dun recordatorio de 24 horas e unha enquisa de frecuencia de consumo alimentario. A adhesión ó PDM foi valorada con dous índices (Panagiotakos et al e Trichopoulou et al.) e ó PDA con un (Oliveira et al.). Resultados Conclusións: Participación de 89,4%. Galicia adhírese ao PDM tan intensamente como poboacións mediterráneas e ao PDA máis que a poboación española. A adhesión foi, en ambos índices, menor nos mozos. Detéctase un patrón de dieta propio en Galicia, distinto ó PDM

Effect of an educational intervention in primary care physicians on the compliance of indicators of good clinical practice in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus [OBTEDIGA project]

[Abstract] Aim. To evaluate the effect of an educational intervention among primary care physicians on several indicators of good clinical practice in diabetes care. Methods. Two groups of physicians were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group (IG and CG). Every physician randomly selected two samples of patients from all type 2 diabetic patients aged 40 years and above and diagnosed more than a year ago. Baseline and final information were collected cross-sectionally 12 months apart, in two independent samples of 30 patients per physician. The educational intervention comprised: distribution of educational materials and physicians' specific bench-marking information, an on-line course and three on-site educational workshops on diabetes. External observers collected information directly from the physicians and from the medical records of the patients on personal and family history of disease and on the evolution and treatment of their disease. Baseline information was collected retrospectively in the control group. Results. Intervention group comprised 53 physicians who included a total of 3018 patients in the baseline and final evaluations. CG comprised 50 physicians who included 2868 patients in the same evaluations. Measurement of micro-albuminuria in the last 12 months (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.4) and foot examination in the last year (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1–3.6) were the indicators for which greater improvement was found in the IG. No other indicator considered showed statistically significant improvement between groups. Conclusions. The identification of indicators with very low level of compliance and the implementation of a simple intervention in physicians to correct them is effective in improving the quality of care of diabetic patients

Quality of care of patients with type-2 diabetes in Galicia (NW Spain) [OBTEDIGA project]

[Abstract] Aims:  The aim of this study was to describe the degree of compliance of agreed practices with reference to primary care patients with Type 2 diabetes of 40 years old and older in Galicia (NW Spain). Methods:  A total of 108 primary care physicians were selected at random from the totality of doctors. Each physician selected 30 patients at random from their patients suffering from diabetes of 40 years old or older. External observers gathered information from each patient’s medical record regarding their characteristics, condition and degree of compliance of selected indicators of good practice. Results:  Group of physicians participated in this study had a mean age of 50 years (standard deviation = 3.9); 48% of them were females; and 17.5% involved in medical residents training. A total of 3078 diabetic patients were included in the study: mean age = 69 years (SD = 10.9), 47.6% women, presence of high blood pressure (72%), hypercholesterolaemia (56%), and regular smokers (10.3%). Compliance with selected indicators such as foot examination (14%), ophthalmological examination (30.6%), abdominal circumference measurement (6.1%), measurement of total or LDL-cholesterol (78.1), blood pressure measurement (84.8), glycosylated haemoglobin measurement < 7% (54.3%) was observed. Adequate monitoring in cases of high blood pressure and hypercholesterolaemia were 34.2% and 27.4%, respectively. Variability between physicians differs according to the different indicators, with interquartile range for compliance of between 16.4 and 66%. Conclusions:  There is a wide margin for improvement in the adaptation of clinical practice to recommendations for diabetic patients. The large variation existing in certain indicators would suggest that certain control objectives are less demanding than advisable in those that comply least, while low compliance and low variability in other indicators point to structural problems or unsatisfactory training of doctors

Prevalence of asthma and rhinitis symptoms in a Coruña (Spain)

Ponencia presentada en el IV Congreso de la Sociedad de Pediatría de Galicia, Verín, 2004[Resumen] Introducción. El asma y la rinitis son dos enfermedades con elevada prevalencia en la infancia, con tendencia a incrementarse en los últimos años. En ambas es frecuente el infradiagnóstico. Objetivo. Verificar la prevalencia de síntomas de asma y rinitis en la población infantil. Material y métodos. Hemos realizado, mediante cuestionario escrito, un estudio transversal siguiendo la metodología del International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), de prevalencia de sintomatología de asma y rinitis en el área de A Coruña. Resultados. Han sido incluidos 3.017 niños y niñas de 6 y 7 años (tasa de respuesta del 73,9%), y 2.981 de 13 y 14 años (tasa de respuesta del 93,6%). Refirieron haber presentado sibilancias alguna vez el 25,3% de los niños y niñas de 13 y 14 años y el 37,2% de los de 6 y 7 años. Han presentado asma en alguna ocasión el 18,5% de los adolescentes y el 13,7 % del grupo de menor edad. La prevalencia de rinitis alguna vez fue del 30,4% a los 6 y 7 años y del 47,3% a los 13 y 14 años. La mayor prevalencia de rinitis se produjo en el otoño. Conclusiones. El asma y la rinitis son especialmente frecuentes en nuestra población, superior a la observada en la mayoría de poblaciones españolas estudiadas.[Abstract] Introduction. The prevalence of asthma and rhinitis is high in childhood and has been increasing in the last few years. In both diseases underdiagnosis is frequent. Objective. To asses the prevalence of asthma and rhinitis symptoms in childhood. Material and methods. We performed a cross-sectional study using a written questionnaire, following the methodology of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), on the prevalence of symptoms of asthma and rhinitis in La Coruña. Results. A total of 3017 boys and girls aged 6-7 years old (response rate 73.9 %) and 2981 boys and girls aged 13-14 years old (response rate 93.6 %) were included. The prevalence of “wheezing at some time” was 25.3% in adolescents aged 13-14 years old and was 37.2 % in children aged 6-7 years. The prevalence of “asthma at some time” was 18.5% in adolescents and 13.7% in children. The prevalence of “rhinitis at some time” was 30.4% in the group aged 6-7 years and 47.3% in the group of adolescents. The prevalence of rhinitis was highest in autumn. Conclusions. The prevalence of asthma and rhinitis is high in our population and is higher than that observed in most Spanish populations studied

Estructura de las unidades básicas de salud para la atención a personas con diabetes: ciclos I y II del Programa Nacional de Mejora al Acceso y Calidad

[Resumo] O objetivo foi descrever a estrutura necessária à atenção às pessoas com diabetes, usuárias da rede de atenção primária à saúde, avaliada nos Ciclos I e II do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade (PMAQ) no Brasil, 2012 e 2014, considerando-se as características dos municípios. Utilizando-se um estudo descritivo foram avaliadas as unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) cujas equipes participaram dos Ciclos I e II do PMAQ, em 2012 e 2014. Utilizaram-se variáveis do Módulo I da avaliação externa do PMAQ que aborda a estrutura das UBS. Materiais (balança de 150kg, esfigmomanômetro, estetoscópio adulto, fita métrica, glicosímetro, kit de monofilamentos, oftalmoscópio e tiras de glicemia capilar); medicamentos (insulina NPH e regular, glibenclamida e metformina) e espaço físico (consultório clínico, farmácia, recepção, sala de acolhimento e de reunião). Todos os medicamentos avaliados e a sala de acolhimento apresentaram um aumento de mais de 10p.p. de 2012 para 2014. As prevalências de estrutura adequada de materiais, medicamentos e física nas UBS foram maiores em 2014. A estrutura adequada de materiais passou de 3,9% para 7,8%, de medicamentos de 31,3% para 49,9% e física de 15,3% para 23,3%. Os municípios com mais de 300 mil habitantes, melhor Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH) e menor cobertura de Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) registraram maiores prevalências de UBS adequadas. As unidades que aderiram aos Ciclos I e II do PMAQ obtiveram melhoria em suas estruturas. Entretanto, foi encontrada baixa prevalência de UBS com estrutura adequada, além de diferenças na estrutura dos serviços, de acordo com o porte populacional, IDH e cobertura de ESF.[Abstract] The objective was to describe the necessary structure for treating diabetes patients in the primary healthcare system, as evaluated in Cycles I and II of the Brazilian National Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality (PMAQ) in 2012 and 2014, according to the municipalities’ characteristics. A descriptive study was used to assess primary care units whose teams participated in Cycles I and II of the PMAQ in 2012 and 2014. The study used variables from Module I of the external evaluation of the PMAQ that addresses the primary care units’ structure. Materials (150kg scale, sphygmomanometer, adult stethoscope, tape measure, blood glucose monitor, monofilament packs, ophthalmoscope, and capillary blood glucose strips); medicines (NPH and regular insulin, glyburide, and metformin); and physical space (clinical consultation room, pharmacy, reception/waiting room, and meeting room). All the medicines and the reception/waiting room increased by more than 10p.p. from 2012 to 2014. The prevalence rates for adequate structure of materials, medicines, and physical space in the primary care units were higher in 2014. Adequate structure increased as follows: for materials, from 3.9% to 7.8%, for medicines, from 31.3% to 49.9%, for physical space, from 15.3% to 23.3%. Municipalities with more than 300,000 inhabitants, higher Human Development Index (HDI), and lower coverage of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) showed higher prevalence rates for adequate primary care units. Units that adhered to Cycles I and II of the PMAQ showed improvement in their structures. However, there was a low prevalence of primary care units with adequate structures, besides differences in the services’ structure according to population size, HDI, and FHS coverage.[Resumen] El objetivo fue describir la estructura necesaria para la atención a las personas con diabetes, usuarias de la red de atención primaria en salud, evaluada en los Ciclos I y II del Programa Nacional de Mejoría del Acceso y de la Calidad (PMAQ) en Brasil, 2012 y 2014, considerándose las características de los municipios. Utilizándose un estudio descriptivo se evaluaron las unidades básicas de salud (UBS), cuyos equipos participaron en los Ciclos I y II del PMAQ, en 2012 y 2014. Se utilizaron variables del Módulo I de evaluación externa del PMAQ que aborda la estructura de las UBS. Materiales (peso de 150kg, esfigmomanómetro, estetoscopio adulto, cinta métrica, glucómetro, kit de monofilamentos, oftalmoscopio y tiras de glucemia capilar); medicamentos (insulina NPH y regular, glibenclamida y metformina) y espacio físico (consultorio clínico, farmacia, recepción, sala de acogida y reunión). Todos los medicamentos evaluados y la sala de acogida presentaron un aumento de más de 10p.p. de 2012 a 2014. Las prevalencias sobre estructura adecuada de materiales, medicamentos y física en las UBS fueron mayores en 2014. La estructura adecuada de materiales pasó de 3,9% a 7,8%, de medicamentos de 31,3% a 49,9% y física de 15,3% a 23,3%. Los municipios con más de 300.000 habitantes, mejor Índice de Desarrollo Humano (IDH) y menor cobertura de Estrategia Salud de la Familia (ESF), registraron mayores prevalencias de UBS adecuadas. Las unidades que se adhirieron a los Ciclos I y II del PMAQ obtuvieron una mejoría en sus estructuras. No obstante, se encontró una baja prevalencia de UBS con estructura adecuada, además de las diferencias en la estructura de los servicios, de acuerdo con la dimensión poblacional, IDH y cobertura de ESF

Social inequalities in care for the elderly with diabetes in Brazil

[Abstract] Objective: To measure the prevalence of various care services offered to the elderly with diabetes mellitus in Brazil, and to assess the social inequalities in these services. Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study was carried out in 2013. The care services offered were evaluated in terms of the following eight indicators: recommendations to lower carbohydrates, to measure blood glucose, and to examine the feet; requests made for blood tests, for glycated hemoglobin tests, and for glycemic curve tests; and whether service users had had their eyes or feet examined in the previous year. We used the slope index of inequality and the concentration index to assess the inequalities among wealth quintiles. Results: A total of 1 685 elderly persons with diabetes were evaluated. Overall, 41.7% of them had had their eyes examined in the preceding year, 35.4% had had their feet examined in the preceding year, and 10.9% had been offered all eight of the care services. The largest absolute differences (in percentage points) between the first (poorest) and fifth (richest) wealth quintiles in terms of the care services that were offered to the users were for: a recommendation to measure blood glucose (25.8), a glycated hemoglobin test request (27.4), a glycemic curve test request (31.9), having the eyes examined in the preceding year (29.3), and having the feet examined in the preceding year (27.0). Conclusion: There were notable inequalities in the prevalences of the care services. In the future, measurement of blood glucose and examination of the feet should be emphasized, especially for elderly persons in a lower socioeconomic level.[Resumen] Objetivo: Medir la prevalencia de los diversos servicios de atención que se ofrecen a las personas mayores con diabetes mellitus en Brasil y evaluar las desigualdades sociales en dichos servicios. Métodos: Este estudio transversal y basado en la población se llevó a cabo en el 2013. Los servicios de atención que se ofrecen se evaluaron en cuanto a los siguientes ocho indicadores: recomendaciones para reducir los carbohidratos, medir la glucemia y revisarse los pies; solicitudes de análisis de sangre, pruebas de glucohemoglobina y pruebas de la curva de glucemia; y si a los usuarios de los servicios les habían examinado los ojos o los pies en el último año. Usamos el índice de pendiente de la desigualdad y el índice de concentración para evaluar las desigualdades entre los quintiles de riqueza. Resultados: Se evaluó en total a 1.685 personas mayores con diabetes. En términos generales, en el último año les habían examinado los ojos a 41,7% de ellos, en el último año les habían examinado los pies a 35,4% y les habían ofrecido los ocho servicios de atención a 10,9%. Las mayores diferencias absolutas en puntos porcentuales entre el primer quintil de riqueza (los más pobres) y el quinto (los más ricos) en cuanto a los servicios de atención ofrecidos a los usuarios se encontraron en la recomendación de medir la glucemia (25,8), la solicitud de pruebas de glucohemoglobina (27,4), la solicitud de pruebas de curvas de glucemia (31,9), el examen de los ojos en el último año (29,3) y el examen de los pies en el último año (27,0). Conclusiones: Hubo notables desigualdades en la prevalencia de los servicios de atención. En el futuro, debe hacerse énfasis en la medición de la glucemia y el examen de los pies, especialmente en las personas mayores de un nivel socioeconómico bajo.[Resumo] Objetivo: Medir a prevalência de vários serviços de atenção oferecidos a idosos portadores de diabetes mellitus no Brasil e avaliar desigualdades sociais nestes serviços. Métodos: Estudo transversal, de caráter populacional, realizado em 2013. Os serviços de atenção oferecidos foram avaliados quanto aos oito indicadores a seguir: recomendação de diminuir o consumo de carboidratos, medir a glicemia e examinar os pés; pedido de exames de sangue, hemoglobina glicada e curva glicêmica; e realização de exame dos olhos ou pés nos usuários do serviço durante o ano anterior. Foram utilizados o índice absoluto de desigualdade e o índice de concentração para avaliar as desigualdades entre quintis de renda. Resultados: Foram avaliados 1.685 idosos com diabetes. Destes, 41,7% haviam sido submetidos a exame dos olhos no ano anterior, 35,4% a exame dos pés, e a 10,9% haviam sido oferecidos todos os oito serviços de atenção. As maiores diferenças absolutas (em pontos percentuais) entre o primeiro (mais pobre) e quinto (mais rico) quintis de renda foram constatadas para os seguintes serviços de atenção: recomendação de medir a glicemia (25,8), pedido de exame de hemoglobina glicada (27,4), pedido de exame de curva glicêmica (31,9), exame de olhos no ano anterior (29,3) e exame dos pés no ano anterior (27,0). Conclusão: Foram constatadas desigualdades notáveis na prevalência dos serviços de atenção. Futuramente, deve-se dar ênfase à medição da glicemia e do exame dos pés, principalmente em idosos de nível socioeconômico mais baixo

Obesity and asthma: an association modified by age

[Abstract] Background. Some studies indicate some causal relationship between obesity and asthma, while others show inconsistent results. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of asthma according to obesity in children. Methods. A cross-sectional study, following the ISAAC study methodology, was conducted on two randomly selected groups consisting of 6–7 year-old children (n = 7485) and 13–14 year-old adolescents (n = 8496). The asthma symptoms and potential risk factors were determined from the questionnaire. Overweight and obesity were defined based on the body mass index. Multiple logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted prevalence odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals. Results. Obesity was associated with an increase in wheezing ever (OR: 1.35) and exercise-induced asthma (OR: 1.62) in the 6–7 year-old group. No significant relationship was observed in the adolescent population. Conclusion. Obesity was associated with a higher prevalence of asthma in young children, but not in adolescents

Prevalence and Geographic Variations in Asthma Symptoms in Children and Adolescents in Galicia (Spain)

[Resumen] Objetivos. Determinar la prevalencia y variaciones geográficas de síntomas relacionados con asma en niños y adolescentes gallegos. Población y métodos. Estudio transversal según la metodología ISAAC (Internacional Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) mediante cuestionario escrito distribuido en el medio escolar. Se incluyeron 10.371 niños de 6-7 años y 10.372 adolescentes de 13-14 años de todas las Áreas Sanitarias de Galicia. Se analizaron las variaciones geográficas mediante un modelo de regresión logística. Resultados. Las sibilancias en los últimos 12 meses oscilaron en los pequeños, del 11,4 (Santiago) al 15,7% (Vigo) y en los adolescentes del 8,8 (Ourense) al 18,8% (Vigo). Según el género se observó una mayor frecuencia en varones de 6-7 años (p < 0,001) y con tendencia a la significación estadística en las chicas de 13-14 años (p = 0,08). El riesgo (Odds ratio [OR]) de sibilancias en los últimos 12 meses, en el área de mayor prevalencia con respecto a la de menor, fue 1,45 (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: 1,12-1,88) en niños y 2,39 (IC 95%: 1,82-3,13) en adolescentes. La prevalencia de asma estimada para Galicia fue de 13,6% en niños y 12,2% en adolescentes. Conclusiones. La prevalencia de sibilancias en los últimos 12 meses en las diferentes áreas gallegas es sensiblemente superior al resto de ciudades españolas participantes en el ISAAC en los pequeños, siendo muy similar en los adolescentes, salvo en Vigo donde es sensiblemente superior. Encontramos un patrón geográfico muy definido en los adolescentes, siendo mayores las prevalencias en la costa que en el interior.[Abstract] Objectives. To determine the prevalence and geographic variations of the symptoms associated with asthma in Galician children and adolescents. Population and methods. A cross-sectional epidemiological study following ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) methodology, and using a written questionnaire distributed in schools. The study sample included 10,371 6-7 year-old children and 10,372 13-14 year-old adolescents, all of them from Galician Health Areas. A logistic regression model was used to analyse geographic variations. Results. In the 6-7 year-old group, wheezing in the last 12 months varied from 11.4% (Santiago) to 15.7% (Vigo) and in the adolescents varied from 8.8% (Ourense) to 18.8% (Vigo). The distribution by gender showed a predominant significance in 6-7 year-old males (P < .001), and near to be statistically significant in 13-14 year-old females (P = .08). The risk (odds ratio [OR]) of wheezing in the last 12 months in the area with highest prevalence in comparison with the area of lowest prevalence was 1.45 (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.12-1.88) for children and 2.39 (95% CI, 1.82-3.13) for adolescents. The estimated prevalence of asthma in the Autonomous Community of Galicia was 13.6% in younger children and 12.2% in adolescents. Conclusions. The prevalence of wheezing in the last 12 months in the different areas of Galicia is considerably higher than the rest of Spanish ISAAC cities in the 6-7 years group and very similar in the 13-14 years group, except in Vigo where it is considerably higher. We found a clearly defined geographic pattern in the adolescent group, with higher prevalences in coastal areas than in the interior

Exposure to paracetamol and asthma symptoms

Multicenter study[Abstract] Background: Paracetamol is one of the factors that have been associated with the observed increase in asthma prevalence in the last few years. The influence of environmental or genetic factors in this disease may be different in some countries than in others. The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between the paracetamol consumption and asthma prevalence in our community. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on more than 20,000 children and adolescents in Galicia, Spain. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood methodology was used to collect the information on asthma symptoms in children, paracetamol consumption, body mass index (BMI), pets in the home, education level of the mother and parental asthma and smoking habits. The influence of paracetamol consumption on the prevalence of asthma symptoms was calculated using logistic regression, adjusted for the other parameters included in the study. Results: After adjusting for gender, BMI, having a cat or dog, maternal education, parental asthma and smoking, in 6- to 7-year-old children, the consumption of paracetamol during the first year of life is associated with asthma [odds ratio (OR) 2.04 (1.79-2.31) for wheezing at some time]. Paracetamol consumption in the previous year leads to a significant increase in the probability of wheezing at some time [OR 3.32 (2.51-4.41)] in young children and adolescents [OR 2.12 (1.68-2.67)]. Conclusions: Paracetamol consumption is associated with a significant increase in asthma symptoms. The effect is greater the more often the drug is taken

Cross‐sectional study about impact of parental smoking on rhinitis symptoms in children

[Abstract] Objective. Assess the prevalence of rhinitis and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) of children in our community and its relationship with symptoms of rhinitis Methods (design, setting, participants, main outcome measures). Cross‐sectional study using questionnaire on rhinitis of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, in children (6‐7 years) and adolescents (13‐14 years). Categories: “rhinitis ever”, “recent rhinitis”, “recent rhinoconjunctivitis”, “severe rhinoconjunctivitis”. Parental smoking: (i) neither parent smokes; (ii) only the mother smokes; (iii) only the father smokes; and (iv) both parents smoke. Odds ratio of the prevalence of symptoms of rhinitis according to ETS exposure was calculated using logistic regression. Results. 10 690 children and 10 730 adolescents. The prevalence of “rhinitis ever” in children: 29.4%, “recent rhinitis” 24%, “recent rhinoconjunctivitis” 11.5% and “severe rhinoconjunctivitis” 0.1%. In adolescents: 46.2%, 34.5%, 16.2% and 0.2%, respectively. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure in the home occurred in 51% of cases. Parental smoking was associated with a higher prevalence of forms of rhinitis in adolescents when only the mother was a smoker. In children when both parents were smokers. Conclusion. Rhinitis is highly prevalent in our community. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure is still very common. The relationship between ETS and rhinitis symptoms in children of this community is not as robust as that found for asthma