哮喘联盟

    目的：研究坦桑尼亚北部乡村儿童哮喘症状的发生率，及其与需氧适应能力和体内脂肪的关系。
    方法: 随机选择坦桑尼亚Manyara 区9～10岁儿童参与该横断面研究。172名儿童完成视频问卷调查，并有哮喘的症状和迹象。通过最大用力呼气流量体积曲线检测肺功能。需氧适应能力通过标准的间接最大踏车测力计试验检测，体内脂肪以3处皮褶厚度之和表示。
    结果：24％的儿童在过去的1年有哮喘症状。5％的参与者在过去的1年中有过严重的喘息发作。37％的儿童体重过轻。体重过轻儿童肺功能（预测值的百分数）显著下降（P < 0.02）。低体脂与较高的哮喘症状发生率有关，OR=0.45(95％CI：0.22-0.95; P = 0.04)。有氧能力与哮喘症状无关。
    结论：在坦桑尼亚北部乡村，1/5以上9～10岁儿童有哮喘症状。低体脂与哮喘症状发生率较高有关，但需氧适应氧能力与哮喘症状无关。

（刘国梁 审校）
Berntsen S, et al. Allergy. 2009 Feb 5. [Epub ahead of print]

Asthma symptoms in rural living Tanzanian children; prevalence and the relation to aerobic fitness and body fat.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of asthma symptoms in children from a rural district in North-Tanzania, and their relationship to aerobic fitness and body fat.
Methods: In Manyara region in Tanzania, children (aged 9-10 years) were randomly selected to participate in the present cross-sectional study. Hundred and seventy two participants completed a video questionnaire showing the symptoms and signs of asthma. Lung function was measured by maximum forced expiratory flow-volume curves. Aerobic fitness was estimated from a standardized indirect maximal cycle ergometer test and sum of three skinfolds reflected body fat.
Results: Twenty four per cent reported asthma symptoms last year. Severe wheezing attacks last year were reported in 5% of the participants. Thirty seven per cent of the participants were underweight. Underweight children had significantly lower (P < 0.02) lung function (per cent of predicted). Lower body fat was associated with higher occurrence of asthma symptoms (odds ratio and 95% CI; 0.45 (0.22-0.95; P = 0.04). Aerobic fitness was not associated with asthma symptoms.
Conclusions: More than every fifth 9-10 year old child from a rural district in North-Tanzania reported asthma symptoms. Lower body fat was associated with higher occurrence of asthma symptoms, but aerobic fitness was not associated with asthma symptoms.