[Epidemiology of bronchial asthma in a large industrial region].

AIM: To estimate the prevalence of bronchial asthma (BA) basing on the complex of the disease symptoms within the last year associated with bronchial obstruction (BO) and bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire survey (IUATLD) has covered 1572 individuals (mean age 40.1 +/- 0.3 years, 837 females). The responders were divided into 3 age groups. BO and BHR were examined, concentration of air pollutants NO2, SO2, CO were measured. RESULTS: The most typical BA symptoms were defined in males and females in different age groups. The relationship between frequency of BA symptoms on concentration of air pollutants was determined. BO and BHR were found in 13.3% of the respondents. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of BA in a large industrial region is 16.4% (17.5% in males and 14.0% in females).