DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Asthma is most common chronic inflammatory disease of bronchial airways which ischaracterized by asthma attacks. These attacks are triggered by a number of precipitating factors.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the precipitating factor of asthma inIslamabad/Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Methodology: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey in which the major precipitatingfactors of asthmatic people (n=100) were measured. The study was conducted at National Institute ofHealth Islamabad and Federal General Hospital Islamabad in 6 months between June 2013 toNovember 2013.A structure questionnaire was designed by consensus from expert consultantpulmonologists and physical therapist working in pulmonary Krehabilitation. Data collectedretrospectively i.e. symptoms during the last 2 weeks were asked.
Result: Precipitating factors such as smoke (18%), pollens (13%), working environment (12%),cold(12%), dust mites (10%), food (9%), perfumes (9%), exercise (8%),), cooking (5%), and animalallergy (4%) were found to be associated with occurrence of asthma attack
Conclusion: Smoke and pollens are found to be the most common precipitating factors in Islamabadand Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Key words: Bronchialasthma, precipitating factors,