Caracterización del asma en escolares provenientes de localidades de altura

Introduction: The prevalence of asthma in Peru is approximately 25%. Previous studies have not included the department of Ancash in Peru. Objective: To determine the prevalence of asthma in schoolchildren in the highlands. Methods: Observational and cross-sectional population-based study. We sampled 302 schoolchildren from three localities located in the department of Ancash in Peru: Recuay (3394 m.a.s.l.), Ticapampa (3456 m.a.s.l.), and Catac (3566 m.a.s.l.) and who have never resided or travelled below 2500 m.a.s.l. A survey assessing prevalence, severity and family history of symptoms suggestive of asthma was used for sampling. Results: The prevalence of asthma in the three study localities according to the survey was 7.62%, of which 61% was male and 39% female, only 3.9% of the total population had had a medical diagnosis. A prevalence of wheezing of 24.1% in the last 12 months, 17.8% of nocturnal cough, 18.2% of wheezing associated with respiratory infections and 15.6% of wheezing associated with exercise was reported. Thirty-nine per cent of asthmatics reported having a first-degree relative with asthma symptomatology and was different from schoolchildren without asthma (p<0.05). Conclusions: In schoolchildren aged 6-19 years in Ancash, there is a lower prevalence of asthma. There is an association with a family history of asthma diagnosis.