Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: Prevalence and risk factors associated with wheezing in the first year of life

Olivia A. A. Costa Bessa, Álvaro J. Madeiro Leite, Dirceu Solé y Javier Mallol

Abstract

Summary Objective to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with wheezing in infants in the first year of life. Methods sectional study, where the standardized and validated questionnaire was applied ( International Studio of wheezing en-Lactating EISL) to parents of infants aged 12 and 15 months who sought 26 of the 85 primary care units in the period 2006-2007. The dependent variable, wheezing was defined using the following standards: Casual (up to two episodes of wheezing) and recurrent (three or more episodes). The independent variables were presented using frequency distribution, used to compare groups. The measures of associations were based on odds ratio ( odds ratio, OR) with a confidence interval of 95% (95% CI), with bivariate analysis, followed by multivariate analysis (adjusted OR). Displaying a total of 1,029 (37, 7%) infants had wheezing in the first 12 months of life and of these, 16.2% had recurrent wheezing. The main risk factors associated with wheezing were family history of asthma (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.76 to 2.54), six or more episodes of cold (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1 0.91 to 2, 97) and pneumonia (OR = 3.02, 95% CI 2.43 to 3.76) and recurrent wheezing were: asthma in the family (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1:22 to 2:46), early onset wheezing (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.75-3,75); nocturnal symptoms (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.75-3,75); over 6 colds (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.43 to 3.00). Completion major risk factors associated with wheezing were respiratory infections and asthma in the family. Knowing the risk factors for this disease should be a priority for public health, which can develop control strategies and treatment.