The role of Human Development Index in the epidemiology of asthma in adolescents in Kosovo: A cross-sectional multicentre Global Asthma Network (GAN) study

• Luljeta Ahmetaj ^[2] ; A. Elena Martínez-Torres ^[3] ; Ylli Ahmetaj ^[1] ; Ibadete Ismajli ^[2] ; Valbona Gashi ^[2] ; Xhevat Kurhasani ^[4] ; Violeta Lokaj-Berisha ^[2] ; Besa Lumezi ^[2] ; Leonora Lleshi ^[5] ; Laura Pajaziti ^[6] ; Mirsije Shahini ^[7] ; Valbona Zhjeqi ^[8] ; Luis García-Marcos ^[9]
  1. [1] AAB College

     AAB College

     Kosovo

     
  2. [2] Institute of Physiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of “Hasan Prishtina,” Prishtina, Kosovo.
  3. [3] Unidades de Alergia y Neumología Pediátrica y Grupo de Investigación de Enfermería, Hospital Infantil Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, España
  4. [4] UBT Higher Education Institution. Prishtina, Kosovo.
  5. [5] Department of Clinical Allergology and Immunology, “Isa Grezda” General Hospital, Gjakova, Kosovo.
  6. [6] University Clinical Centre of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo.
  7. [7] “Alergji Asthma Ylli” Polyclinic, Prishtina, Kosovo.
  8. [8] National Institute of Public Health of Kosova, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo.
  9. [9] Unidades de Alergia Pediátrica y Neumología, Hospital Infantil Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, España

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• Localización: Allergologia et immunopathologia: International journal for clinical and investigate allergology and clinical immunology, ISSN-e 1578-1267, ISSN 0301-0546, Vol. 51, Nº. 2, 2023, págs. 59-70
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Background: Very limited information is available on the prevalence and risk factors of asthma in adolescents in Kosovo, and no study has previously addressed the role of Human Development Index (HDI) on asthma in the region. The present study addresses these two issues.

    Methods: Following the Global Asthma Network (GAN) methodology, a cross-sectional survey, through standardised self-completed questionnaires, was conducted in the following six centres of Kosovo: Ferizaj, Gjakova, Gjilan, Peja, Prishtina and Prizren. Current asthma symptoms (CAS) and severe current asthma symptoms (sCAS) were defined according to the GAN standards. Environmental questionnaire inquired about gender, exercise, screening time, siblings, truck traffic, use of paracetamol, pet ownership, and smoking habits. Height and weight were also measured. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed in each centre along with meta-analyses to summarise the overall effects of each factor in the centres as a whole. Meta-regression of the prevalence rates was calculated using HDI as a moderator.

    Results: Participation rate was high (80.0–99.9%). Prevalence of CAS ranged from 4.6% to 11.3%, and sCAS from 1.7% to 4.5%. Factors associated with CAS were exercise, computer time, paracetamol use and dog ownership. sCAS was associated with paracetamol use and physical exercise. HDI explained 46% and 80% of prevalence variability of CAS and sCAS between centres, respectively.

    Conclusions: Prevalence of CAS and sCAS in Kosovo varies highly between centres. This variability is explained partly by HDI. Individual risk factors are common, with some determined in other studies conducted in other regions.