Prevalence and temporal evolution of asthma symptoms in Spain. Global Asthma Network (GAN) study

• Published in: Anales de Pediatría 2022-09, Vol.97 (3), p.161-171
• Main Authors: Bercedo Sanz, Alberto, Martínez-Torres, Antonela, González Díaz, Carlos, López-Silvarrey Varela, Ángel, Pellegrini Belinchón, Francisco Javier, Aguinaga-Ontoso, Inés, García-Marcos, Luis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescente; Asma; Asthma; Cross-sectional studies; Escolar; Estudios transversales; Global Asthma Network; Prevalence; Prevalencia; Schoolchild
• ISSN: 2341-2879; 2341-2879
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anpede.2021.10.005

The temporal evolution of the prevalence of asthma described in the ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) in 2002 is unknown, or if the geographical or age differences are maintained in Spain. To describe the prevalence of asthma symptoms in different Spanish geographic areas and compare it with that of those centers that participated in the ISAAC. Cross-sectional study of asthma prevalence, carried out in 2016–2019 with 19,943 adolescents aged 13−14 years and 17,215 schoolchildren aged 6−7 years from 6 Spanish geographical areas (Cartagena, Bilbao, Cantabria, La Coruña, Pamplona and Salamanca). Asthma symptoms were collected using a written questionnaire and video questionnaire according to the Global Asthma Network (GAN) protocol. The prevalence of recent wheezing (last 12 months) was 15.3% at 13−14 years and 10.4% at 6−7 years, with variations in adolescents, from 19% in Bilbao to 10.2% in Cartagena; and in schoolchildren, from 11.7% in Cartagena to 7% in Pamplona. These prevalences were higher than those of the ISAAC (10.6% in adolescents and 9.9% in schoolchildren). 21.3% of adolescents and 12.4% of schoolchildren reported asthma at some time. There is a high prevalence of asthmatic symptoms with an increase in adolescents and a stabilization in Spanish schoolchildren with respect to the ISAAC. Geographic variations in asthma prevalence are not so clearly appreciated, but areas with high prevalences maintain high numbers. Se desconoce la evolución temporal de la prevalencia de asma descrita en el ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) en 2002 o si las diferencias geográficas o por edades se mantienen en España. Describir la prevalencia de los síntomas de asma en distintas áreas geográficas españolas y compararla con la de aquellos centros que participaron en el ISAAC. Estudio transversal de prevalencia de asma, realizado en 2016–2019 a 19,943 adolescentes de 13−14 años y 17,215 escolares de 6−7 años de 6 áreas geográficas españolas (Cartagena, Bilbao, Cantabria, La Coruña, Pamplona y Salamanca). Los síntomas de asma se recogieron mediante un cuestionario escrito y videocuestionario según el protocolo Global Asthma Network (GAN). La prevalencia de sibilancias recientes (últimos 12 meses) fue del 15,3% a los 13−14 años y del 10,4% a los 6−7 años, con variaciones en los adolescentes, desde un 19% en Bilbao hasta un 10,2% en Cartagena; y en los escolares, desde un 11,7% en Cartagena hasta un 7% en Pampl