설문지와 메타콜린 기관지유발시험을 이용하여 조사한 한국의 소아 천식 유병률

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Background In most epidemiological survey studies, only subjective symptoms and past medical history of asthma have been used as diagnostic criteria. Even though a questionnaire survey can be performed in a large population study with low cost, limitations such as the lack of objectivity and poor predictability in nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness cannot be avoided. %jectives The purpose of this study was to elucidate the actual prevalence of asthma based on questionnaires and methacholine bronchial provocation test and the prevalence of atopy in Korea. Methods We performed modified ATS respiratory questionnaires and allergen prick skin test with ten common inhalant allergens among 3,219 subjects aged 7 19 years in Seoul and a rural part of small city, Chungju, in Korea. Methacholine bronchial provocation tests were also performed among those who had asthma symptoms according to the questionnaire. The criteria of asthma were presence of both asthma symptoms and nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Atopy was defined as when an allergen in- duced wheal size was larger than that caused by histamine. Results The prevalence of asthma based on questionnaires and methacholine bronchial provocation tests was 4.6%, while 8.2% of total population complained of wheeze and 19. 3% complained of one or more respiratory symptoms related to asthma on the questionnares. There was no significant differ- ence according to age, sex and living area. The mean prevalence of atopy was 35.0% and the most common allergens were D. farinae (30.9%), D Pteronyssinus(27.5%), cat fur (20.4% ) and cockroach(11.8% ). The atopy prevalence in Chungju area was higher than that in Seoul and males showed a higher prevalence than females. The asthma prevalence was higher among atopics(6.8% ) than nonatopics(2.7% ). None of questionnaire items were enough to predict the presence of bronchial asthma in terms of sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value. Conclusion The mean prevalence rate of bronchial asthma in Korean children and adolescents aged with 7 to 19 years old was 4. 6% and the prevalence rate of atopy was 35.0 Questionnaire based surveys are not enough to predict the actual prevalence of ssthma.