ISAAC Malta : changes in geographical distribution of wheezing children in Malta between 1994 and 2002

Abstract

Introduction. Malta is one of the centers that participated in phases 1 and 3 of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Aim. To investigate changes in the geographical distribution of wheezing in the Maltese Islands. Methods. ISAAC Malta phase 1 was carried out in 1994 with 3506 participants from 24 schools for the 5- to 8-year-old age group and 4184 participants from 25 schools for the 13- to 15-year-old age group. ISAAC Malta phase 3 in 2001 studied 3800 participants from 44 schools and 4139 children from 18 schools in the 5- to 8-year-old age group and 13- to 15-year-old age group, respectively. The ISAAC-standardized questionnaire was used, part of which included information regarding the place of dwelling of the individual participants. Results. In the younger age group there was an increase from 8.8% to 14.8% (P < .0001) in the total prevalence of current wheezing between 1994 and 2001. Most geographical regions of the Maltese islands reported an increase in wheezing with the Central East (10.2% vs 23%, P < .0001), Grand Harbour (8.5% vs 21.2%, P < .005), East (8.6% vs 22.5%, P < .00001), and Central North (6.5% vs 16.3%, P < .0004) regions having the largest increases. The prevalence of current wheezing in the older age group remained stable (16% to 14.6%, P = .08). Conclusions. There seems to be some environmental trigger found in certain areas of the Maltese Islands that must be affecting the prevalence of wheezing in the younger age.