Prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema in 13- to 14-year-old children in Kuwait: an ISAAC study

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in 13 to 14 years old children in Kuwait. Design: Supervised self-administered written and video questionnaires of the international study of asthma and allergies in childhood (ISAAC). Subjects: Students at third and fourth years from 40 intermediate level schools chosen randomly from across Kuwait. Results: 3,110 students were surveyed. The prevalence rates (95% CI) in the written questionnaire for wheeze ever, current wheeze (within the last 12 months), and physician diagnosis of asthma are 25.9% (24.5 to 27.4), 16.1% (15.8 to 17.4), and 16.8% (15.5 to 18.1)respectively. The prevalence rates (95% CI) for symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR) ever, current symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR), and diagnosis of AR are 43.9% (42.2 to 45.6), 30.7% (29.1 to 32.4) and 17.1% (14.8 to 18.4) respectively. The prevalence rates (95% CI) for itchy rash ever, current itchy rash, and diagnosis of eczema are 17.5% (16.2 to 18.8), 12.6% (11.4 to 13.8), and 11.3% (10.2 to 12.4) respectively. The prevalence of wheeze ever, wheeze during the last year, and physician diagnosis of asthma are higher in males compared with females, P < .01. In multiple logistic regression: male gender (OR 1.6, 95% CI, 1.3 to 2.0) and diagnosis of AR (OR 1.7, 95% CI, 1.4 to 2.2) were associated with the physician diagnosis of asthma even after controlling for symptoms of asthma. Conclusion: This is the first study on the prevalence of allergic diseases in Kuwait and it shows that children in Kuwait have a moderate prevalence of asthma, AR, and eczema compared with other countries where the ISAAC study is done. The prevalence of asthma is higher in boys compared with girls.