The number of patients with bronchial asthma (BA) and allergic diseases (AD) among young people was increased annually, so the prevention of AD have special importance.

OBJECTIVE

To study the epidemiology of AD and BA among young people of Moscow.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The GA²LEN questionnaire and interview about risk factors were used in the survey of 1252 residents 15—24 years old in one district of Moscow (the response rate was 85.0%). Statistical data processing was carried out using the software package Statistica, version 10; EPINFO, version 7 (WHO).

RESULTS

In the surveyed population sample the prevalence of BA was 5.2% in men and 3.1% (p<0.019) in women, allergic rhinitis (AR) with conjunctivitis — 12.0 and 20.1% (p<0.001) respectively, and allergic dermatitis — 5.6% in men and 8.7% in women (p=0.007). Regularly tobacco smoking in 13.2% of boys and 13.0% of girls, as well as 38.2% of fathers and 23.0% of mothers of boys, and 39.0% and 23.9% respectively, of girls. It was found that the presence of allergic diseases in parents, tobacco smoking, frequent acute respiratory viral infections, and allergic reactions to food and painkillers medications increased the frequency of BA, AR and allergic dermatitis in young people. The presence of a gas stove in the kitchen and pets in the apartment did not affect the frequency of AD.

CONCLUSION

In order to reduce the incidence of AD and BA in young people it is necessary to take into account hereditary factors, to prevent smoking, ARVI, to correct nutrition and other risk factors.