Background: Variations in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms according to geo-climatic factors could provide important clues to the knowledge of the aetiology of asthma. Methods: Geo-climatic variations in the prevalence of current asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic cough, and phlegm were assessed on a random sample of 18 873 subjects (response rate ¼ 72.7%)from different climatic regions of Italy. An ecological analysis, supported by robust statistical methods, was employed to investigate potential trends. Results: The prevalence of all symptoms was significantly heterogeneous throughout the peninsula. Only asthma-like symptoms showed a north–south trend: the prevalence increased at a decreasing latitude [odds ratio (OR)varie s from 0.92 to 0.96, P < 0.05], at a decreasing distance from the sea (OR: 0.90–0.93 for 30 km distance, P < 0.05), at higher annual mean temperatures (OR: 1.11–1.14, P < 0.05)and at smaller annual temperature ranges (OR: 0.94–0.95, P < 0.05). Of the geo-climatic variables considered, temperature range had the greatest influence on most asthma-like symptoms. No association was found between geo-climatic variables and allergic rhinitis or chronic cough and phlegm. Conclusions: Asthma prevalence seems to be significantly affected by climate as asthma-like symptoms were more common in central-southern Italy, with a Mediterranean climate, than in areas with a continental climate (northern Italy).
Titolo: | The role of climate on the geographic variability of asthma, allergicrhinitis and respiratory symptoms: results from the Italian study of asthma in young adults | |
Autori Riconosciuti: | ||
Autori: | M. E. Zanolin, C. Pattaro,A. Corsico, M. Bugiani, L. Carrozzi,L. Casali, R. Dallari, M. Ferrari,A. Marinoni, E. Migliore, M.Olivieri, P. Pirina,G. Verlato,S. Villani, R. deMarco,O. Buriani, R. Cavallini, C. Saletti, M. Cellini, M. Faustini, A. de Togni (Ferrara); A.Marinoni, A. Carolei, C. Montomoli, S. Villani, M. Comelli,M. Ponzio, M. Grassi, C. Rezzani, L. Casali, I.Cerveri, M.C. Zoia, A. Corsico, S. Colato, G. Moscato,L. Perfetti (Pavia); L. Carrozzi, G. Viegi, F. Pistelli, F. Di Pede, P.L. Paggiaro, A. Santolicandro, P. Giovannetti (Pisa); F. Ginesu, P. Pirina, S. Ostera, G.P. Pinna, A. Farre, S. Imparato (Sassari); R. Dallari, E. Turrini,M. Foglia (Sassuolo); G. Giammanco, S. Pignato,A. Rotondo, A. Cuspilici (Siracusa); M. Bugiani, P. Piccioni,A. Carosso, W. Arossa, E. Caria, G. Castiglioni, E. Migliore, C. Romano, D. Fabbro, G. Ciccone,C. Magnani, P. Dalmasso, R. Bono, G. Gigli, A. Giraudo,M.C. Brussino, C. Bucca, G. Rolla (Turin); P. Struzzo,U. Orefice, M. Schneider, F. Chittaro, D. Peresson (Udine); R. de Marco, G. Verlato, S. Accordini, M.E. Zanolin, F. Locatelli, L. Cazzoletti, C. Pattaro, S. Sartori,A. Poli, N. Dorigo, S. Cantarelli, D. Ciresola, V. Lo Cascio, M. Olivieri, M. Ferrari, C. Biasin (Verona);P. Lauriola, G. Danielli, D. Sesti, E. Ghigli (ARPA Emilia-Romagna); P. Natale, M. Grosa (ARPA Piemonte);A. Tacconi, P. Frontero, A. Salomoni (ARPA Veneto). | |
Data di pubblicazione: | 2004 | |
Abstract: | Background: Variations in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms according to geo-climatic factors could provide important clues to the knowledge of the aetiology of asthma. Methods: Geo-climatic variations in the prevalence of current asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic cough, and phlegm were assessed on a random sample of 18 873 subjects (response rate ¼ 72.7%)from different climatic regions of Italy. An ecological analysis, supported by robust statistical methods, was employed to investigate potential trends. Results: The prevalence of all symptoms was significantly heterogeneous throughout the peninsula. Only asthma-like symptoms showed a north–south trend: the prevalence increased at a decreasing latitude [odds ratio (OR)varie s from 0.92 to 0.96, P < 0.05], at a decreasing distance from the sea (OR: 0.90–0.93 for 30 km distance, P < 0.05), at higher annual mean temperatures (OR: 1.11–1.14, P < 0.05)and at smaller annual temperature ranges (OR: 0.94–0.95, P < 0.05). Of the geo-climatic variables considered, temperature range had the greatest influence on most asthma-like symptoms. No association was found between geo-climatic variables and allergic rhinitis or chronic cough and phlegm. Conclusions: Asthma prevalence seems to be significantly affected by climate as asthma-like symptoms were more common in central-southern Italy, with a Mediterranean climate, than in areas with a continental climate (northern Italy). | |
Volume: | 59 | |
Pagina iniziale: | 306 | |
Pagina finale: | 314 | |
Parole Chiave: | climate; asthma; allergic rhinitis; respiratory symptoms | |
Rivista: | ALLERGY | |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 03A-Articolo su Rivista |