Porównanie częstości występowania astmy i chorób alergicznych oraz czynników ich rozwoju w zależności od miejsca zamieszkania w województwie pomorskim

Abstract

IntroductionThe studies on the epidemiology of allergic diseases indicate at the difference in prevalence depending on the place of residence. The study Epidemiology Allergic Diseases in Poland (ECAP) showed that citizens have a higher prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases. Research compared the major Polish cities and rural areas of Zamojszczyzna. Observations of patients living in Pomeranian region suggest to the mixed character of the rural Pomeranian area and similar prevalence as in the Tri-City agglomeration. AimThe aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, food allergies, allergy to insect venom and drugs) in the population of the province of Pomerania, among patients living in the city and countryside. The second objective was to evaluate the significance of the factors predisposing to the development of asthma and allergy (sex, smoking, having a bird or cat, housing conditions). MethodsThe analysis was based on the research questionnaire containing questions used in epidemiological studies ISAC, ECHRS, ECAP constructed for the study. Statistical analysis of the collected results was made in the program Statistica v.12, χ2 test. The research group consisted of 619 people – 457 women and 162 men, 180 residents of villages and 439 urban residents. ResultsA statistically significant difference and a higher incidence were found in patients with food allergies (p=0.0002); urticaria (p=0.009); atopic dermatitis (p=0.0025); allergies to drugs (p=0.0001). There were no differences in the prevalence, depending on the place of residence, of asthma (p=0.5), allergic rhinitis (p=0.056), allergic conjunctivitis (p=0.33), allergic reactions to insect venom (p=0.13), smoking (p=0.1), sex (p=0.054). More frequent development of asthma was observed in patients treated for allergic rhinitis OR=4.29 (CI 1.02–18.03). The differences in the prevalence of the risk factors such as smoking, having a bird or a cat, and the living conditions were statistically insignificant. ConclusionsThe prevalence of the risk factors of allergic diseases as well as asthma, allergic rhinitis and drug allergies were similar in urban and rural areas. The prevalence of food and drug allergy, urticarial and atopic dermatitis were higher among the residences of the cities.