Background: This study analyses the prevalence and the clinical and therapeutic data on asthma collected in consultations as part of Alergológica-2005.
Material and methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, observational, epidemiologic study was carried out.
Results: The prevalence of asthma was 28%, lower than the 35% prevalence observed in the Alergológica-2002 study. The average age of the patients with asthma was 27 years (range 1 to 86). Those affected were children between 5 and 15 years of age and young adults. 55.4% were females. The classification of asthma according to severity was: 57.4% slight, 40.9% moderate and 1.7% serious. 79.8% of patients had extrinsic asthma, 18.7% intrinsic asthma and 1.2% occupational asthma. 43.8% of patients were sensitized to pollens, 41.4% to dust mites and 19.6% to animal epithelia. In comparison with the first phase of Alergológica, the prescription of immunotherapy fell from 54% to 30%, theophylline from 26% to 0.4%, chromones/ketotifen from 53% to 1.4% and inhaled corticosteroids from 40% to 31.7%. In contrast, combinations of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta2-agonists and antileukotrienes, both of which were absent in the first phase of the study, made a great impact in this second phase of the study with figures of 38.5% and 24.4% respectively.
Conclusions: The prevalence of asthma in Alergológica-2005 has diminished in comparison with the first phase of the study. Changes in the therapeutic guidelines are clear such as a reduction in the use of immunotherapy and a notable increase in the prescription of combinations and antileukotrienes.