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http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/25700
Title: | Prevalence of asthma and its symptoms in Sri Lankan adults. |
Authors: | Gunasekera, K.D. Amarasiri, W.A.D.L. Undugodage, U.C.M. Silva, H.K.M.S. Sadikeen, A. Gunasinghe, W. Fernando, A. Perera, B.P.R. Wickremasinghe, A.R. |
Keywords: | Adult Asthma Prevalence Sri Lanka. |
Issue Date: | 2022 |
Publisher: | BioMed Central, London |
Citation: | BMC Public Health.2022;22(1):2330. |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Data on adult asthma is scarce in Sri Lanka. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of asthma and its symptoms in adult Sri Lankans. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a translated version of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey screening questionnaire on subjects ≥ 18 years from 7 provinces in Sri Lanka was conducted. The asthma was defined as "wheezing in the past 12 months (current wheeze)", self-reported asthma attack in the past 12 months or on current asthma medication use. RESULTS: Among 1872 subjects (45.1% males, 48.8% between 18-44 years of age), the prevalence of current wheeze was 23.9% (95%CI: 22.0%-25.9%), self-reported asthma was 11.8% (95%CI: 10.3%-13.2%) and current asthma medication use was 11.1% (95% CI: 9.6%-12.5%). The prevalences were higher in adults > 44 years, 31.4% positively responded to any of the above questions (95%CI: 29.3%-33.4%) and 60.9% of current wheezers did not report having asthma whilst 38.2% used asthma medication. Among current wheezers, 80.1% had at least one other symptom, cough being the commonest. Those with no current wheeze, self-reported asthma and on current asthma medication use, 30%, 35.9% and 36.6%, respectively, reported at least one other symptom. Smokers comprises 22% current wheezers, 20.6% of self-reported asthmatics and 18.7% of current asthma medication users. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of asthma in Sri Lankan adults is higher than the other South Asian countries and higher in the older age group. A significant percentage of symptomatic individuals did not report having asthma or being on medication. |
Description: | indexed for MEDLINE. |
URI: | http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/25700 |
ISSN: | 1471-2458 |
Appears in Collections: | Journal/Magazine Articles |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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12889_2022_Article_14793.pdf | 695.47 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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