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 = 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) varies 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).
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 306-314 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology |
Volume | 59 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2004 |
Keywords
- Asthma epidemiology
- Asthma prevalence allergy
- Climate
- Geographic pattern
- Latitude
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology