Abstract
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of asthma among Sudanese university students and workers and to validate the modified ISAAC questionnaire by pulmonary function tests in subjects with asthma symptoms. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Elobeid town (western Sudan). A modified International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (SAAC) questionnaire was distributed to university students and adults. Four hundreds and twelve subjects were included. Lung function test was performed to all those having asthma symptoms. Prevalence of asthma according to wheeze hearing in the last 12 months was 6.7%. Wheezing was found to be the most prevalent asthma symptom (96.6%), followed by breathlessness (76%). Most of the patients have intermittent symptoms. Validation of ISAAC questionnaire by reversibility test was 57% in asthmatic group. The study concluded that reversibility test was an essential diagnostic test particularly for intermittent and mild persistent asthmatic patients as their symptoms sensibility was underestimated.