Prevalence of Chronic Bronchitis in Selected Districts of Kashmir Valley

Chronic bronchitis causes high morbidity and mortality throughout the world and it is basically a preventable disease. Kashmir being a high altitude area, with people living in poorly ventilated homes and use of wood as a primary source of fuel in some part of rural areas predispose them to respiratory diseases. The aim of the study is to estimate the prevalence of chronic bronchitis in the age group of 18 years and above in Kashmiri population. It was a community based cross sectional study, with multi stage random sample of 912 consenting participants, aged >18 years and above. The overall prevalence of chronic bronchitis was found out to be 5.4%. The study showed higher prevalence among males compared to females, higher age groups, smokers and people living in overcrowded homes, using wood as fuel and majority of them belonged to low socio- economic status. Concluding that prevalence was less than expected but there still remains room for improvement .The common risk factors of chronic bronchitis like smoking , overcrowding and using wood as a fuel can be dealt with educational interventions and raising the socio- economic status. People in common should be educated about this respiratory disease, its complications and its risk factors

Epidemiology of bronchial asthma in school children (10–16 years) in Srinagar

Objectives: To assess the epidemiological profile of asthma in school going children in Srinagar, Kashmir. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Thirty-one schools with proportionate representation from both government and private schools as well as from primary, middle, and high schools. Participants: School children aged 10–16 years with equal representation of sex and all ages. Main Outcome Measure: Prevalence of current and past asthma. Methods and Results: After administering a modified pretested questionnaire, peak expiratory flow measurement was carried. Children who had asthma-like symptoms or positive family history of asthma or physician-labeled asthma were subjected to spirometry and bronchodilator reversibility. Out of 806 children, bronchial asthma was seen in 60 (prevalence of 7.4%) which included 34 boys and 26 girls. Majority of asthmatic children (78.3% [n = 47]) had probable asthma; 6.7% (n = 4) had definite asthma; and 15% (n = 9) had physician-diagnosed asthma. Majority of children had intermittent asthma (78.3% [n = 47]). Mild persistent asthma was seen in 12.7% (n = 7) and 10% (n = 6) had moderate persistent asthma. None of the children had severe persistent asthma. The prevalence of current asthma was 3.2% (n = 26). On univariate analysis, the factors found to be statistically significant were family history of asthma (odds ratio [OR] =8.174; confidence interval [CI] =4.403–15.178), seasonal cough (OR = 4.266; CI = 2.336–7.791), allergic rhinitis (OR = 2.877; CI = 1.414–5.852), atopic dermatitis (OR = 6.597; CI = 2.72–16.004), and obesity (OR = 6.074; CI = 2.308–18.034). On multivariate analysis, family history, seasonal cough, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and obesity were found to be significant independent risk factors. Conclusions: Srinagar qualifies as a low prevalence area for bronchial asthma in the age group of 10–16 years. Majority of children had mild intermittent asthma resulting in under diagnosis and wrong treatment