Context: the Widal syndrome (WS) is known as the association of bronchial asthma to aspirin intolerance, nasal polyposis and/or allergic rhinitis, typical considered to have a difficult course.
Objectives: finding the prevalence and severity of WS in general medical practice. VENUE: data bases from a private pneumology practice and the ambulatory of a pneumology clinic in Timisoara.
Participants: 473 asthma patients, among which 41 (8.66%) matched the criteria for WS. There were 31 women (75.6%) and 10 men (24.39%). MAIN PARAMETERS EVALUATED: spirometry, ENT examination, skin allergy tests, serum IgE.
Results: most cases (22 pts., 53.65%) had mild to moderate asthma. Monitoring the cases for 4 years didn't show any worsening. The 19 severe cases (46.35%) had a progressive course, despite a complex treatment (anti-leukotrienes + systemic corticosteroids in high doses + long acting beta 2 agonists + long acting theophylline). The results don't match the classical description of WS, with a dominance of severe forms.
Conclusions: in general medical practice WS has a frequency of 8.66% among asthmatic population, and the mild and moderate forms represent 53.65% and it seems they keep like that a long time.