Prevalence of respiratory symptoms, features of asthma, and characteristics associated with respiratory disease, in 6-11 year olds in Manchester

Aims: This paper describes the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, features of asthma, and characteristics associated with respiratory disease in 6-11 year old children in an historical cohort study. Methods: The study included 5086 children, all born in the same maternity unit in the north west of England over a four-year period. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms, features of asthma, and characteristics associated with respiratory disease were determined by the use of parent-completed questionnaires. Skin prick tests were used to ascertain atopic status. Results: The response was 47.5%. The prevalence of wheeze, asthma medication use and atopic sensitisation were 20.3%, 16.2% and 37.1% respectively. Wheeze and atopy were significantly more prevalent in boys (22.4% versus 17.9% and 43.0% versus 29.3%, respectively). Conclusions: This study identified a high prevalence of respiratory disease in this population and provides a baseline for monitoring trends in respiratory disease in 6-11 year old children. © 2009 General Practice Airways Group. All rights reserved.