Evaluation of asthmatic patients referred to jahrom hospital and clinic.

Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease of children in the world. Serial studies in the world have showed an increased prevalence of bronchial asthma. In this study, the children younger than 12 years old referred to Jahrom hospital and clinic due to asthma were selected. We issued 100 questionnaires, according to International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) criteria and were completed by the physicians. The ratio of male to female was 1 to 9. The patients who were under the age of 4, 3 and 1 year were 82%, 60% and 15% respectively. Passive smoking was present in 56% of the patients, and 22% had pets at home like cat, dog or bird. Home dampness was present in 33%. Ninety percent of patients had used breast feeding during the first year of life. Seventy percent of patients had family history of asthma. Food allergy was present and could trigger asthma in 15%. The result of ISSAC questionnaire showed that during the last year wheezing was present in 10%, 6% had 1-3 attacks and 4% had 4-12 attacks. Sleep disturbance by wheezing had occurred in 5% but cough in 16%. Thirteen percent of patients had wheezing after exercise. In Jahrom town the climate is warm and dry. In this town asthma in children is more common among the children who are younger than 4 years old. The risk factor like smoking at home, pets and home dampness should be eliminated from their environment.