Coexistence of asthmatic and non-respiratory allergic symptoms in children of Batumi Region, Georgia: occurrence and association with known diagnosis of asthma.

Objectives: Our recent studies showed that in children in the Batumi region, Georgia, underdiagnosis of asthma is 65%, and that not all children with known asthma had a history of allergic disorders. So, we decided to assess the association of known diagnosis of paediatric asthma with asthma-like symptoms and non-respiratory allergic symptoms and diseases using questionnaire-derived data provided by respiratory health survey.

Methods: Subjects of the cross-sectional population-based study were 3,239 urban and 2,113 rural children aged 5-17 years whose respiratory status was assessed using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire.

Prevalence of and factors associated with underdiagnosis of pediatric asthma in Batumi, Georgia.

Background And Objective: A recent survey in Batumi, Georgia showed a low prevalence of asthma in children (1.8%). A potential explanation is underdiagnosis of asthma.

MATERNAL STRESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS OF CHILDHOOD ASTHMA.

Asthma is a common disease with increasing prevalence both in children and adults. WHO estimates that annually 15 million disability-adjusted life-years are lost and 250,000 asthma deaths are reported worldwide. Approximately 500,000 annual hospitalizations are due to asthma.

An international comparison of asthma, wheeze, and breathing medication use among children.

Background: There is variation in childhood asthma between countries with typically higher prevalence in "Westernized" nations. We compared asthma, respiratory symptoms, and medication prevalence in Eastern and Central European regions and Canada.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey study of children (5-15 years) from one urban centre in each of Canada, Belarus, Poland, Republic of Georgia (Adjara), Republic of Macedonia, and Ukraine.

Childhood asthma in Batumi, Georgia: Prevalence and environmental correlates.

Objective: A relative lack of data for Eastern Europe and unknown epidemiology of childhood asthma in Batumi (Georgia) justified a study aimed at determining the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma and related respiratory conditions, a comparison of the prevalence of these conditions between urban and rural children, and identification of their environmental correlates.

Methods: Subjects of the cross-sectional population-based study were 3238 urban and 2081 rural children aged 5-17 years whose respiratory status was assessed using the ISAAC questionnaire.

Results: The overall prevalence of asthma was larger in rural children than in urban children (2.

[PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN IN ORPHANAGES].

Aim - to define the parameters of physical development of children in orphanages. 72 children (45 boys, 27 girls) without chronic debilitating diseases and condition aged from 1 to 6 years from Tbilisi and Makhinjauri orphanages (Georgia) were assessed. Height and weight of all subjects were measured and BMI, height SDS (standard deviation score) and weight SDS were calculated.

[Indices of the bone mineral density in the female population of Adjara].

The aim of the presented research is to study the indices of the bone mineral density among female population of the high mountainous Adjara (Georgia) and reveal risk factors which affect the process of mineralization in females. The research is based on the analyses of special questionnaire filled in by 422 ethnic Georgian females, natives of Adjara highlands (Khulo, Shuakhevi, Keda), from 18 to 82 years old, which underwent medical examination. Characteristic of the bone mineral density was obtained by a densitometric method of investigation.

[Indices of the bone mineral density in the male population of Adjara].

The target of the presented research is to study the indices of the bone mineral density among the male population from the high mountainous areas of Adjara (Georgia). The risk factors were revealed. The research was based on the analyses of special questionnaire filled in by 312 ethnic Georgian males, natives of Adjara highlands (Khulo, Shuakhevi, Keda), from 16 to 70 years old, which underwent medical examination.