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Reduction in asthma incidences and mortality, as well as improved quality of life, can be achieved via a wide use of prevention methods. A number of randomized cohort studies demonstrated the effectiveness of such management and the need for multiple treatments. Here, we evaluate whether asthma awareness influences the lifestyle and the use of prevention, as well as the effects of age, sex, economic status, and education on the use of prophylaxis. A total of 18,617 (53.8% female; 24.2% 6-7 years old, 25.4% 13-14 years old, and 50.4% 20-44 years old) were selected by a stratified cluster sampling method in eight cities and one rural area, each over 150,000 citizens. The sample was selected based on the methods and questionnaires of International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood and European Community Respiratory Health Survey. Patients aware of asthma significantly less often (p < 0.05) reported owning asthma-inducing items and significantly more often reported behaviors minimizing the number of allergens (p < 0.05). Patients aware of asthma took all actions reducing their exposure to in-house allergens significantly more often than the healthy (p < 0.05) and individuals with symptoms only (p < 0.05). Allergy prevention was used more often in children (p < 0.0005), responders aware of diseases (p < 0.05), higher levels of education (p < 0.05), and higher household income (p < 0.05). The most common type of prophylaxis used is prophylactic actions, which are undertaken by patients diagnosed with asthma and who are aware of their disease. Adults do not use preventive measures as often as children or adolescents do. Higher rates of prevention-oriented behavior were observed in groups characterized by higher levels of education and higher household income.

Epidemiological studies (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood [ISAAC], The European Community Respiratory Health Survey [ECRHS]) revealed considerable geographical differences in prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of our study is to present the epidemiology and the risk factors of AD in a Polish population. A total of 18,617 subjects were selected. The sample included respondents in eight cities and one rural area each over 150,000 citizens. The study had two parts: (i) questionnaire survey conducted among all respondents (response rate, 64.4%); and (ii) allergological examination performed among 25.7% with skin prick test (SPT) with 15 aeroallergens. AD was identified in 3.91% of subjects, more often in females, living in the cities, with a mother and/or father with atopy and with a higher education and higher economic status. Comorbidities of AD were atopic rhinitis (AR) in 26.17% and AR and asthma in 14.6%. AD was diagnosed by allergologists in 311 subjects (6.5%). Positive SPT occurred in 66.9% persons with AD (house dust mite, 33.1%; grasses/crop plants, 30.6%). Of the patients, 9.5% with perennial versus 9.3% seasonal and 9.6% with polyvalent versus 9.0% monovalent sensitization had AD. AD prevalence in Poland is below the mean rate for Europe, but risk factor profile is similar to other countries. AD is more frequent in female, well-educated individuals, of high socioeconomic status, with atopic parents and who live in a city. Seasonal and monovalent atopy play a more essential role in subjects with AD compared with AR and asthma., (© 2014 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

Objective: To analyse the relationship between obesity and overweight and the prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitization, and the impact of gender and place of residence., Design: Questionnaire based on those used in ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) and ECRHS (European Community Respiratory Health Survey)., Setting: Our study involved populations of the eight largest cities and one rural region in Poland (each with over 150,000 inhabitants)., Subjects: The study included 18,617 participants (24·2% aged 6-7 years, 25·4% aged 13-14 years, 50·4% adults aged 20-44 years) in eight cities and one rural area. The out-patient study involved 4783 patients (25·7%); we performed skin prick testing with fifteen aeroallergens., Results: Overweight was found in 16·13% of participants (9·11% of 6-7-year-olds, 4·90% of 13-14-year-olds and 25·61% of adults), obesity in 6·41% (7·16%, 2·45% and 8·36%, respectively). In adults, overweight (OR=1·34) and obesity (OR=1·80) increased the prevalence of asthma, especially in women (OR=1·53, OR=2·01). Among 13-14-year-olds the prevalence was higher only in the obese (OR=1·76). Overweight (OR=1·99) and obesity (OR=2·17) affected the incidence of doctor-diagnosed asthma in 6-7-year-olds. Overweight (OR=0·81) and obesity (OR=0·76) reduced the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in men. There was no relationship between BMI and asthma in people from rural areas. Obesity and overweight did not affect the frequency of sensitization to aeroallergens., Conclusions: Overweight and obesity increased the prevalence of symptomatic asthma in adults, especially in women. In 13-14-year-olds, only obesity increased the prevalence of asthma. In children, overweight was associated with increased prevalence of clinically diagnosed and declared asthma and a trend towards atopy. Higher BMI was negatively associated with the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in overweight and obese man. There was no correlation between BMI and sensitization to aeroallergens.

Introduction: Studies based on the ISAAC questionnaire suggest a correlation between the use of antibiotics and the prevalence of asthma and allergy in children aged 6-7 years. The number of courses of antibiotic therapy is an important factor., Objectives: To investigate the relationship between the use of antibiotics during the first years of life and the prevalence of allergy and asthma among children (aged 6-8 years) in the urban population of Poland., Materials and Methods: A survey-based study with a self-completed questionnaire. The respondents were parents of children aged 6-8 years living in Warszawa, Poland. 1461 completed questionnaires were collected., Results: Asthma was declared in 4.3% of the children. Wheezing and/or sibilant rhonchi within 12 months before the study was observed in 13.5% of the cases. Asthma medication was taken by 21.8% of the children. Allergic rhinitis was declared in 18.7% of the children. Problems with sneezing, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion not associated with cold or fever were observed in 40.7% of the children. The analysis of the odds ratios between the use of antibiotics and the symptoms of allergic diseases revealed a clear correlation. The highest odds ratio was observed between the completion of over three courses of antibiotic therapy prior to the age of 12 months and the declaration of one of the following: asthma (OR = 5.59, 95% CI: 2.6-12.01), wheezing and/or sibilant rhonchi (OR = 4.68, 95% CI: 3.01-7.27) and taking medicines for breathlessness (OR = 5.12, 95% CI: 3.42-7.68)., Conclusions: There is a direct relationship between antibiotic use in the first 3 years of life and asthma and allergy symptoms in children aged 6-8 years old.

Introduction. Over the last few decades the prevalence of allergic diseases has dramatically increased. This situation makes it necessary to conduct international, standardized, randomized epidemiological studies Aim of the study. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of bronchial asthma in Poland. Material and methods. The study was conducted with the use of a translated and validated questionnaire survey developed for international ECRHS II and ISAAC studies. The study was performed in 9 selected regions in Poland (8 urban regions and 1 rural region). The respondents were obtained from a random multistage selection and they were proportionally stratified on the basis of their PESEL (Identification Number) operator. The completed questionnaires were collected from 18,617 respondents and nearly 25% of them subsequently underwent a medical examination. Results. Asthma was self-reported in 4.72% of the subjects land was diagnosed in 11% of subjects after the ECAP medical examination. Wheezing and whistling during the past 12 months was reported by 12.4% of adults and in the whole life by 18.8% of children 16.1% of adolescents. The association between asthma and allergic rhinitis was declared by 73.6% of patients. Conclusions. Asthma is a prevalent disease in the Polish population and should be considered a significant social problem. Measures for early detection and prevention of asthma should be introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]