Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Asthma is the most prevalent chronic condition among children . Both environmental and hereditary factors are important in the pathogenesis of asthma .
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the severity of asthma among the asthmatic patients and its association with some allergens .
METHODS:
A cross sectional hospital based study ; involved 120 patients suffering from asthma during the period from Feb.- Aug 2003. A questionnaire was designed for the purpose as well as clinical examination and serological study to asses the level of IgE against selected allergens .
RESULTS:
The study revealed that 53% of the patients were males . The most age group affected was (2-5) y ; 57(47.5%) of cases . The mild type of asthma is the predominant type; About 39 (32%) of the patients suffering from mild intermittent asthma(MIA) and 53(44%) from mild persistent type . The main age group affected by MIA was (2-5)y ;17(43%) patients. Patients with MIA were more sensitive to H1 allergens 12(40%) and least sensitive to F1 (3%). For moderate persistent asthmatic patients , they were more sensitive to H2 8(34.7%) , then H1 6(26%). Patients from all age groups were sensitive mainly to H1 ; (2-5)y: 18(36%) , for (>5-10)y : 10(38.5%) , for (>10-15)y : 7(33%). There was a significant relation between the mild type of asthma and the family history of asthma , atopy , drug and food allergy . The most important aggravating factor for the age group 2-5y was dust ; 17( 31%), while among the age group (5-10)y was exercise , 10 (31%). Among the age group (10-15) y both dust and exercise were important factors 8 (29.6%) for each . Exposure to dust was a significant aggravating factor for MIA 13(38.2%).
CONCLUSION:
Since the majority of patients suffering from mild type of asthma we recommend health education to the parents and patients towards home management of asthma and avoidance of the allergens which exacerbate the acute attacks