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Li W, Long C, Fan T, Anneser E, Chien J, Goodman JE. Gas cooking and respiratory outcomes in children: A systematic review. GLOBAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 5:100107. [PMID: 37638371 PMCID: PMC10446006 DOI: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2023.100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The most recent meta-analysis of gas cooking and respiratory outcomes in children was conducted by Lin et al. [93] in 2013. Since then, a number of epidemiology studies have been published on this topic. We conducted the first systematic review of this epidemiology literature that includes an in-depth evaluation of study heterogeneity and study quality, neither of which was systematically evaluated in earlier reviews. We reviewed a total of 66 relevant studies, including those in the Lin et al. [93] meta-analysis. Most of the studies are cross-sectional by design, precluding causal inference. Only a few are cohort studies that could establish temporality and they have largely reported null results. There is large variability across studies in terms of study region, age of children, gas cooking exposure definition, and asthma or wheeze outcome definition, precluding clear interpretations of meta-analysis estimates such as those reported in Lin et al. [93]. Further, our systematic study quality evaluation reveals that a large proportion of the studies to date are subject to multiple sources of bias and inaccuracy, primarily due to self-reported gas cooking exposure or respiratory outcomes, insufficient adjustment for key confounders (e.g., environmental tobacco smoke, family history of asthma or allergies, socioeconomic status or home environment), and unestablished temporality. We conclude that the epidemiology literature is limited by high heterogeneity and low study quality and, therefore, it does not provide sufficient evidence regarding causal relationships between gas cooking or indoor NO2 and asthma or wheeze. We caution against over-interpreting the quantitative evidence synthesis estimates from meta-analyses of these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Li
- Gradient, One Beacon St., 17 Floor, Boston, MA 02108, United States of America
| | - Christopher Long
- Gradient, One Beacon St., 17 Floor, Boston, MA 02108, United States of America
| | - Tongyao Fan
- Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, United States of America
| | - Elyssa Anneser
- Gradient, One Beacon St., 17 Floor, Boston, MA 02108, United States of America
| | - Jiayang Chien
- Gradient, One Beacon St., 17 Floor, Boston, MA 02108, United States of America
| | - Julie E. Goodman
- Gradient, One Beacon St., 17 Floor, Boston, MA 02108, United States of America
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Meme H, Amukoye E, Bowyer C, Chakaya J, Dobson R, Fuld J, Gray CM, Kiplimo R, Lesosky M, Mortimer K, Ndombi A, Obasi A, Orina F, Quint JK, Semple S, West SE, Zurba L, Devereux G. Preterm birth, birth weight, infant weight gain and their associations with childhood asthma and spirometry: a cross-sectional observational study in Nairobi, Kenya. BMJ Open Respir Res 2023; 10:e001895. [PMID: 37735103 PMCID: PMC10514609 DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2023-001895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In sub-Saharan Africa, the origins of asthma and high prevalence of abnormal lung function remain unclear. In high-income countries (HICs), associations between birth measurements and childhood asthma and lung function highlight the importance of antenatal and early life factors in the aetiology of asthma and abnormal lung function in children. We present here the first study in sub-Saharan Africa to relate birth characteristics to both childhood respiratory symptoms and lung function. METHODS Children attending schools in two socioeconomically contrasting but geographically close areas of Nairobi, Kenya, were recruited to a cross-sectional study of childhood asthma and lung function. Questionnaires quantified respiratory symptoms and preterm birth; lung function was measured by spirometry; and parents were invited to bring the child's immunisation booklet containing records of birth weight and serial weights in the first year. RESULTS 2373 children participated, 52% girls, median age (IQR), 10 years (8-13). Spirometry data were available for 1622. Child immunisation booklets were available for 500 and birth weight and infant weight gain data were available for 323 and 494 children, respectively. In multivariable analyses, preterm birth was associated with the childhood symptoms 'wheeze in the last 12 months'; OR 1.64, (95% CI 1.03 to 2.62), p=0.038; and 'trouble breathing' 3.18 (95% CI 2.27 to 4.45), p<0.001. Birth weight (kg) was associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 s z-score, regression coefficient (β) 0.30 (0.08, 0.52), p=0.008, FVC z-score 0.29 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.51); p=0.008 and restricted spirometry, OR 0.11 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.78), p=0.027. CONCLUSION These associations are in keeping with those in HICs and highlight antenatal factors in the aetiology of asthma and lung function abnormalities in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Meme
- Centre for Respiratory Disease Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Evans Amukoye
- Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Cressida Bowyer
- Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Jeremiah Chakaya
- Centre for Respiratory Disease Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ruaraidh Dobson
- Institute for Social Marketing and Health, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Jonathan Fuld
- Respiratory Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Cindy M Gray
- School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Richard Kiplimo
- Centre for Respiratory Disease Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Maia Lesosky
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Kevin Mortimer
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences University of KwaZulu-Natal, Cambridge, UK
| | - Amos Ndombi
- Centre for Respiratory Disease Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Angela Obasi
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Axess Sexual Health, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Fred Orina
- Centre for Respiratory Disease Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Sean Semple
- Institute for Social Marketing and Health, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Sarah E West
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, UK
| | | | - Graham Devereux
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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Magwenzi P, Rusakaniko S, Sibanda EN, Gumbo FZ. Challenges in the diagnosis of asthma in children, what are the solutions? A scoping review of 3 countries in sub Saharan Africa. Respir Res 2022; 23:254. [PMID: 36123720 PMCID: PMC9487077 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-022-02170-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Asthma is the commonest chronic respiratory tract disease in children. In low-income countries, challenges exist in asthma diagnosis. In surveys done in children, the prevalence of ‘asthma’ defined by symptoms is high compared to ‘doctor diagnosed asthma’. The questions answered by this review are (i) What challenges have been experienced in the diagnosis of asthma in children? (ii) What solutions will address these challenges? Methods The Arksey and O’Malley’s framework for scoping reviews was used for the study methodology, while the PRISMA-ScR checklist guided the reporting process. Electronic databases: PubMed Central, EMBASE and Google Scholar were searched. Primary quantitative and qualitative studies and reviews from 2010 to 2021, from Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda written in English or translated to English, which answered the study questions were included. The author, title, country, study type, methods, purpose, findings and references were captured onto a predefined data collection table. The ‘Preview, Question, Read, Summarise’ system was used and a narrative report was used to summarise the findings. Results A total of 28 studies were included. The causes of under-diagnosis of asthma include lack of community knowledge and perception of asthma, poor accessibility to health care, strained health systems, lack of diagnostic tests including spirometry, low levels of knowledge among health-care workers and lack of or non-implementation of asthma guidelines. Strategies to improve asthma diagnosis will include community and school based education programmes, revision of asthma diagnostic terms, guideline development and implementation and health systems strengthening. Conclusion This scoping review provides research evidence for policy makers and health-workers involved in the care of asthmatic children on challenges faced in asthma diagnosis and strategies to improve asthma diagnosis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-022-02170-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Magwenzi
- Child and Adolescent Health Unit, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, P O Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
| | - S Rusakaniko
- Family Medicine, Global and Public Health Unit, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, P O Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - E N Sibanda
- Asthma, Allergy and Immune Dysfunction Clinic, 113, Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - F Z Gumbo
- Child and Adolescent Health Unit, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, P O Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Wang Y, Guo D, Chen X, Wang S, Hu J, Liu X. Trends in asthma among adults in the United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005 to 2018. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2022; 129:71-78.e2. [PMID: 35257870 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2022.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is a common chronic disease in American adults. The prevalence of asthma has varied over time, but there are few studies on the long-term trend of asthma in American adults. OBJECTIVE To describe the prevalence and trend of asthma in American adults from 2005 to 2018 and analyze the risk factors for asthma. METHODS Data collection was performed from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005 to 2018. The unweighted number and weighted percentages of normal participants and patients with asthma and the trends of asthma were calculated. Weighted univariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for asthma. RESULTS A total of 39,601 adults were included in this study. From 2005 to 2018, the overall prevalence of asthma in American adults was 8.41%, whereas that in young, middle-aged, and elderly adults was 8.30%, 8.70%, and 7.92%, respectively. The estimated prevalence of asthma in the overall adults and young adults increased with time (P for trend = .03, difference = 0.023 and P for trend = .007, difference = 0.060, respectively), and the estimated prevalence of middle-aged and elderly adults remained stable with time (P for trend = .33, difference = 0.015 and P for trend = .80, difference = -0.024, respectively). CONCLUSION Asthma in American adults was on the rise. Female sex, non-Hispanic Blacks, individuals with low annual household income, active smokers, obese patients, patients with hypertension, patients with diabetes, and individuals with positive asthma family history were associated with a higher risk for developing asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashan Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Dingjie Guo
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Xiaofei Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Song Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Jiayi Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China.
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AlOlayan AM, Alhammad MA, Almutairi AA, Alshammari MT, Albuhairi S. Adherence to Asthma Controller Therapy Among Children in Majmaah City, Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2021; 13:e14633. [PMID: 34046270 PMCID: PMC8140659 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.14633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objective Improving adherence to asthma medications may prevent asthma exacerbation, which is associated with a decline in lung function. The purpose of this study was to assess the adherence to asthma controller therapy and the factors that might influence the level of adherence among asthmatic children. Materials and methods We conducted a prospective observational study at the King Khalid Hospital in Majmaah, Saudi Arabia between January and April 2020; the study was conducted among children aged 1-14 years with a diagnosis of asthma. The data collected when available included age and gender by using a pre-tested questionnaire that contained four validated items, and the respondents were the parents of the affected children. Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the data collection was performed via phone calls to ensure safety. Informed consent was obtained from the parents. Results We analyzed 152 asthmatic children to evaluate their adherence to asthma controller therapy. The majority of the children were males (60%). Asthma was most prevalent in the age group of 6-10 years (40.1%), followed by the age group of two to five years (32.9%). We found that the majority of the patients had poor adherence to asthma medication (83.6%) while the remaining had good adherence (16.4%). The total mean score for adherence to medication therapy was 5.16 (SD: 2.3). Conclusions The present study showed that the overall adherence level to the asthma controller therapy was poor among children. Larger, nationwide studies are needed to assess the adherence to asthma medications and implement interventions that can improve the same.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah M AlOlayan
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Majmaah, SAU
| | | | | | | | - Sultan Albuhairi
- Department of Pediatrics - Allergy and Immunology Section, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, SAU
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Symptom-based screening tool for asthma syndrome among young children in Uganda. NPJ Prim Care Respir Med 2020; 30:18. [PMID: 32376892 PMCID: PMC7203121 DOI: 10.1038/s41533-020-0175-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Under-diagnosis of asthma in ‘under-fives’ may be alleviated by improved inquiry into disease history. We assessed a questionnaire-based screening tool for asthma among 614 ‘under-fives’ with severe respiratory illness in Uganda. The questionnaire responses were compared to post hoc consensus diagnoses by three pediatricians who were guided by study definitions that were based on medical history, physical examination findings, laboratory and radiological tests, and response to bronchodilators. Children with asthma or bronchiolitis were categorized as “asthma syndrome”. Using this approach, 253 (41.2%) had asthma syndrome. History of and present breathing difficulties and present cough and wheezing was the best performing combination of four questionnaire items [sensitivity 80.8% (95% CI 77.6–84.0); specificity 84.7% (95% CI 81.8–87.6)]. The screening tool for asthma syndrome in ‘under-fives’ may provide a simple, cheap and quick method of identifying children with possible asthma. The validity and reliability of this tool in primary care settings should be tested.
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Mpairwe H, Namutebi M, Nkurunungi G, Tumwesige P, Nambuya I, Mukasa M, Onen C, Nnaluwooza M, Apule B, Katongole T, Oduru G, Kahwa J, Webb EL, Lubyayi L, Pearce N, Elliott AM. Risk factors for asthma among schoolchildren who participated in a case-control study in urban Uganda. eLife 2019; 8:49496. [PMID: 31729315 PMCID: PMC6914334 DOI: 10.7554/elife.49496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Data on asthma aetiology in Africa are scarce. We investigated the risk factors for asthma among schoolchildren (5–17 years) in urban Uganda. We conducted a case-control study, among 555 cases and 1115 controls. Asthma was diagnosed by study clinicians. The main risk factors for asthma were tertiary education for fathers (adjusted OR (95% CI); 2.32 (1.71–3.16)) and mothers (1.85 (1.38–2.48)); area of residence at birth, with children born in a small town or in the city having an increased asthma risk compared to schoolchildren born in rural areas (2.16 (1.60–2.92)) and (2.79 (1.79–4.35)), respectively; father’s and mother’s history of asthma; children’s own allergic conditions; atopy; and cooking on gas/electricity. In conclusion, asthma was associated with a strong rural-town-city risk gradient, higher parental socio-economic status and urbanicity. This work provides the basis for future studies to identify specific environmental/lifestyle factors responsible for increasing asthma risk among children in urban areas in LMICs. Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that leads to breathing difficulty and sometimes death: the condition affects about 235 million people worldwide, especially children. Scientists still do not know exactly what causes asthma, but studies in Europe and North America suggest that individuals born or raised in rural areas are less likely to be affected. However, few studies have examined asthma in African countries, where urbanization is often quickly increasing. Examining the factors associated with the disease as more people move to cities may provide new clues about how asthma emerges, and how to prevent it. To this end, Mpairwe et al. conducted a study with over 1,670 schoolchildren in Uganda. Those born or raised in rural areas were least likely to have asthma, but the risk doubled among children from small towns, and tripled in those born or who grew up in the city. Children whose parents had a higher education and socioeconomic status had the highest asthma risk, but more work is required to understand why this is the case. The study by Mpairwe et al. is the first step towards identifying environmental and lifestyle factors associated with increased asthma risk in Africa. Further studies may help scientists to understand how beginning life in a more urban area plays a role in the development of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet Mpairwe
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Milly Namutebi
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Gyaviira Nkurunungi
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Pius Tumwesige
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Irene Nambuya
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Mike Mukasa
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Caroline Onen
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Marble Nnaluwooza
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Barbara Apule
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Tonny Katongole
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Gloria Oduru
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Joseph Kahwa
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Emily L Webb
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lawrence Lubyayi
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Neil Pearce
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison M Elliott
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Nantanda R, Ostergaard MS, Ndeezi G, Tumwine JK. Clinical outcomes of children with acute asthma and pneumonia in Mulago hospital, Uganda: a prospective study. BMC Pediatr 2014; 14:285. [PMID: 25431036 PMCID: PMC4254222 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-014-0285-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little attention has been paid to asthma in 'under-fives' in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 'under-fives', acute asthma and pneumonia have similar clinical presentation and most children with acute respiratory symptoms are diagnosed with pneumonia according to the WHO criteria. The mortality associated with acute respiratory diseases in Uganda is high but improving, dropping from 24% in 2004 to 11.9% in 2012. We describe the immediate clinical outcomes of children with acute asthma and pneumonia and document the factors associated with prolonged hospitalization and mortality. METHODS We enrolled 614 children aged 2 to 59 months with acute respiratory symptoms presenting at the emergency paediatric unit of Mulago hospital. Clinical histories, physical examination, blood and radiological tests were done. Children with asthma and bronchiolitis were collectively referred to as 'Asthma syndrome'. Hospitalized children were monitored every 12 hours for a maximum of 7 days. Survival analysis was done to compare outcome of children with asthma and pneumonia. Cox regression analysis was done to determine factors associated with prolonged hospitalization and mortality. RESULTS Overall mortality was 3.6%. The highest case fatality was due to pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (2/4) and pulmonary tuberculosis (2/7). None of the children with asthma syndrome died. Children with 'asthma syndrome' had a significantly shorter hospital stay compared to those with pneumonia (p<0.001). Factors independently associated with mortality included hypoxemia (HR = 10.7, 95% CI 1.4- 81.1) and severe malnutrition (HR = 5.7, 95% CI 2.1- 15.8). Factors independently associated with prolonged hospitalization among children with asthma syndrome included age less than 12 months (RR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.4), hypoxemia (RR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.7), and severe malnutrition (RR = 1.5 95% CI 1.3-1.8). Similar factors were associated with long duration of hospital stay among children with pneumonia. CONCLUSION This study identified a sharp decline in acute respiratory mortality compared to the previous studies in Mulago hospital. This may be related to focus on and treatment of asthma in this study, and will be analysed in a later study. Bacterial pneumonia is still associated with high case fatality. Hypoxemia, severe malnutrition, and being an infant were associated with poor prognosis among children with acute asthma and pneumonia and need to be addressed in the management protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Nantanda
- />Child Health and Development Centre, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- />Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Marianne S Ostergaard
- />The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Grace Ndeezi
- />Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - James K Tumwine
- />Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
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Preterm birth and childhood wheezing disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Med 2014; 11:e1001596. [PMID: 24492409 PMCID: PMC3904844 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 237] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence implicates early life factors in the aetiology of non-communicable diseases, including asthma/wheezing disorders. We undertook a systematic review investigating risks of asthma/wheezing disorders in children born preterm, including the increasing numbers who, as a result of advances in neonatal care, now survive very preterm birth. METHODS AND FINDINGS Two reviewers independently searched seven online databases for contemporaneous (1 January 1995-23 September 2013) epidemiological studies investigating the association between preterm birth and asthma/wheezing disorders. Additional studies were identified through reference and citation searches, and contacting international experts. Quality appraisal was undertaken using the Effective Public Health Practice Project instrument. We pooled unadjusted and adjusted effect estimates using random-effects meta-analysis, investigated "dose-response" associations, and undertook subgroup, sensitivity, and meta-regression analyses to assess the robustness of associations. We identified 42 eligible studies from six continents. Twelve were excluded for population overlap, leaving 30 unique studies involving 1,543,639 children. Preterm birth was associated with an increased risk of wheezing disorders in unadjusted (13.7% versus 8.3%; odds ratio [OR] 1.71, 95% CI 1.57-1.87; 26 studies including 1,500,916 children) and adjusted analyses (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.29-1.65; 17 studies including 874,710 children). The risk was particularly high among children born very preterm (<32 wk gestation; unadjusted: OR 3.00, 95% CI 2.61-3.44; adjusted: OR 2.81, 95% CI 2.55-3.12). Findings were most pronounced for studies with low risk of bias and were consistent across sensitivity analyses. The estimated population-attributable risk of preterm birth for childhood wheezing disorders was ≥3.1%. Key limitations related to the paucity of data from low- and middle-income countries, and risk of residual confounding. CONCLUSIONS There is compelling evidence that preterm birth-particularly very preterm birth-increases the risk of asthma. Given the projected global increases in children surviving preterm births, research now needs to focus on understanding underlying mechanisms, and then to translate these insights into the development of preventive interventions. REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42013004965.
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Nantanda R, Tumwine JK, Ndeezi G, Ostergaard MS. Asthma and pneumonia among children less than five years with acute respiratory symptoms in Mulago Hospital, Uganda: evidence of under-diagnosis of asthma. PLoS One 2013; 8:e81562. [PMID: 24312321 PMCID: PMC3843700 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pneumonia is considered the major cause of mortality among children with acute respiratory disease in low-income countries but may be over-diagnosed at the cost of under-diagnosing asthma. We report the magnitude of asthma and pneumonia among “under-fives” with cough and difficulty breathing, based on stringent clinical criteria. We also describe the treatment for children with acute respiratory symptoms in Mulago Hospital. Methods We enrolled 614 children aged 2–59 months with cough and difficulty breathing. Interviews, physical examination, blood and radiological investigations were done. We defined asthma according to Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. Pneumonia was defined according to World Health Organization guidelines, which were modified by including fever and white cell count, C-reactive protein, blood culture and chest x-ray. Children with asthma or bronchiolitis were collectively referred to as “asthma syndrome” due to challenges of differentiating the two conditions in young children. Three pediatricians reviewed each participant’s case report post hoc and made a diagnosis according to the study criteria. Results Of the 614 children, 41.2% (95% CI: 37.3–45.2) had asthma syndrome, 27.2% (95% CI: 23.7–30.9) had bacterial pneumonia, 26.5% (95% CI: 23.1–30.2) had viral pneumonia, while 5.1% (95% CI: 3.5–7.1) had other diagnoses including tuberculosis. Only 9.5% of the children with asthma syndrome had been previously diagnosed as asthma. Of the 253 children with asthma syndrome, 95.3% (95% CI: 91.9–97.5) had a prescription for antibiotics, 87.7% (95% CI: 83.1–91.5) for bronchodilators and 43.1% (95% CI: 36.9–49.4) for steroids. Conclusion Although reports indicate that acute respiratory symptoms in children are predominantly due to pneumonia, asthma syndrome contributes a significant proportion. Antibiotics are used irrationally due to misdiagnosis of asthma as pneumonia. There is need for better diagnostic tools for childhood asthma and pneumonia in Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Nantanda
- Child Health and Development Centre, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- * E-mail:
| | - James K. Tumwine
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Grace Ndeezi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Marianne S. Ostergaard
- The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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