International Journal of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Official Journal of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology

EDITORIAL The monitoring of bronchial inflammation by bioimpedance ORIGINAL ARTICLES Bioimpedance monitoring of airway inflammation in asthmatic allergic children Differential Th1/Th2 balance in peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients suffering from flea bite-induced papular urticaria Prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases in children born after in vitro fertilisation Immunophenotypic profile of T cells in common variable immunodeficiency: is there an association with different clinical findings? Potential association between allergic diseases and pertussis infection in schoolchildren: Results of two cross-sectional studies seven years apart POINT OF VIEW Montelukast versus inhaled corticosteroids as monotherapy for prevention of asthma: which one is best? Abstract Background: Research on pot ent ial risk fact ors of ast hma can enhance our underst anding of geographic differences and inform decisions on prevent ive st rat egies. Met hods: In 2002, a cross-sect ional populat ion-based st udy was carried out in t he area of Cast ellon (Spain), following t he Int ernat ional St udy of Ast hma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase III met hodology. Ast hma sympt oms and relat ed risk fact or quest ionnaires were complet ed by parent s of 6-7 year-old schoolchildren. Logist ic regression was used in t he analysis. Result s: Part icipat ion rat e was 88 % (4492 of 4872 schoolchildren). Prevalence of wheeze in t he past year, ast hma ever, and physician-diagnosed ast hma were 8 %, 7 % and 6 %, respect ively. Risk fact ors independent ly associat ed wit h all t hree ast hma case defi nit ions were hist ory of bronchit is or pneumonia, allergic rhinit is, family members wit h at opic disease, and residing in an indust rialised area. Risk fact ors for ast hma ever and physician-diagnosed ast hma were male sex, at opic eczema and presence of a dog at home; exclusive breast-feeding and t he presence of anot her animal (not a dog or cat) were prot ect ive fact ors. Mat ernal age was inversely relat ed t o physician-diagnosed ast hma. Residence in an area of heavy t ruck t raffic and t he fat her smoking at home were associat ed wit h ast hma ever. Risk fact ors for wheeze in t he past year were low social class, hist ory of sinusit is and t he fat her smoking at home. Conclusions: Environment al fact ors …