Prevalence of atopic eczema in adolescents from a very low prevalence area (Kosovo): role of wheezing, gender, exercise, and paracetamol.

Autor:	Ahmetaj L; Institute of Physiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of 'Hasan Prishtina', Prishtina, Kosovo., Martínez-Torres AE; Paediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Units and Nurse Research Group, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Children's Hospital; and IMIB Biomedical Research Institute, Murcia, Spain., Ahmetaj Y; AAB College. Industriale Prishtinë-Fushë Kosovë, Prishtinë Republika e Kosovës., Gashi V; Institute of Physiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of 'Hasan Prishtina', Prishtina, Kosovo., Kurhasani X; UBT Higher Education Institution, Prishtinë Republika e Kosovës., Lokaj-Berisha V; Institute of Physiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of 'Hasan Prishtina', Prishtina, Kosovo., Gacaferri-Lumezi B; Institute of Physiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of 'Hasan Prishtina', Prishtina, Kosovo., Shahini M; Alergji Asthma Ylli' Polyclinic, Prishtinë Republika e Kosovës., Zhjeqi V; Institute of Physiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of 'Hasan Prishtina', Prishtina, Kosovo., García-Marcos L; Paediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Units, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Children's Hospital, University of Murcia; and IMIB Biomedical Research Institute, Murcia, Spain.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Allergologia et immunopathologia [Allergol Immunopathol (Madr)] 2024 Nov 01; Vol. 52 (6), pp. 40-50. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Nov 01 (Print Publication: 2024).
DOI:	10.15586/aei.v52i6.1155
Abstrakt:	Background: The epidemiology of atopic eczema in adolescents in Kosovo is virtually unknown, and the risk factors for the condition in very low-prevalence areas (as it was the case) are not well studied. The objective of the present study was to better know those factors and whether the presence of comorbid wheezing symptoms modifies the factors. Methods: The cross-sectional survey, Global Asthma Network-validated questionnaire, which includes questions on eczema symptoms and environmental factors (such as smoking, pet ownership, paracetamol usage, truck traffic, siblings, time spent using screens or watching television, and physical exercise), was administered to adolescents in the following main cities of Kosovo: Ferizaj, Gjakova, Gjilan, Peja, Prishtina, and Prizren. Additionally, height and weight were measured at school. Results: Prevalence of eczema symptoms ranged from 2.2% in Ferizaj to 5.5% in Gjakova. Severe symptoms were <1% in all cities. Eczema ever ranged from 3.0% in Ferizaj to 6.4% in Prizren. Factors significantly associated with the prevalence of current eczema symptoms in the meta-analysis were males (pooled adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.50, 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI] 0.37-0.66); physical exercise (pooled aOR 2.79, 95% CI 1.89-4.10); and paracetamol intake (pooled 1.86, 95% CI 1.32-2.64). The corresponding figures for eczema ever were as follows: pooled aOR: 0.68, 95% CI 0.44-1.06; pooled aOR 2.07, 95% CI 1.48-2.90; and pooled aOR 1.19, 95% CI 0.88-1.60. The associations tended to be higher in the subpopulation with eczema and wheezing comorbidity. Conclusions: The prevalence of atopic eczema is very low in Kosovo and is associated with females, physical exercise, and paracetamol intake. These associations are higher when eczema and wheezing are comorbid conditions. Competing Interests: The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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