Prevalence and risk factors of bronchial asthma and other allergic diseases in adult population of Moscow

This epidemiological survey was aimed at investigation of prevalence of bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis in adult population of Moscow. Methods. This study was a part of Global Allergy and Asthma European  Network (GA2LEN). Moscow families having children of 15 to 17 years of age (n = 2 397) were interviewed using a validated Russian GA₂LEN  questionnaire. The responders were stratified into groups according to age: 15 to 24 years of age (group 1; n = 1 252; 85% responded)  and 25 to 74 years of age (group 2; n = 1 145; 76.6% responded).  Statistical processing of data was carried out using Statistica.10 and EPINFO.7 (WHO) software. Results. Prevalence of wheezing, chest tightness, waking up shortness of breath and asthma attacks at rest was higher in group 1 responders compared to group 2 (25.8 vs 18.8% (p < 0.001), 41.9 vs 20.0% (p < 0.001); 15.8 vs 5.7% (p < 0.001); and 10.6 vs 2.6% (p < 0.001), respectively). Asthma was confirmed  in 4.1% and 8.5% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.001). Asthma attacks were reported  by 37.3% and 65.6% of respondents  in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.001), in previous 12 months. Medications  for asthma were administered  to 33.3% and 60.0% of respondents,  respectively (p = 0.002). Symptoms of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis were reported  more frequently by group 2 respondents  compared  to group 1. On contrary,  symptoms of allergic sinusitis were reported more frequently by group 1 respondents compared to group 2. Smoking, NSAID intolerance  and acute respiratory viral infection rate were higher in group 2; food allergy was more frequent in group 1. Conclusion. Asthma prevalence and severity in adult population  increase with age. This could be caused by different rates of risk factors in various age groups.

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