Abstract
The aim of this study is to compare two distinctly different residential types of environment—an industrial and a rural—and to evaluate their effect on children’s spirometric indices and current atopic disorders. Schoolchildren attending the 5th and 6th grades of Oinofyta (industrial area) and Makrakomi (rural area) elementary schools participated in the study, by means of a parental-completed questionnaire and a spirometry test performance. The prevalence of hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis, eczema, wheezing and dry cough in the last 12 months among children, was higher in the rural residential area. Statistically significant associations were found for allergic conjunctivitis (p = 0.027) and for FEV1/FVC (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 sec/ Forced Vital Capacity, Tiffeneau) and FEF75 (Forced Expiratory Flow 75 %) values < 90 % (p = 0.014, p = 0.011 respectively). After controlling for potential confounders, we found that reported eczema and FEV1 value <90 % were more prevalent in the industrial area of residency. Residential area and associated factors play an important role in the manifestation of atopic disorders and history of atopy in children.
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