title: [Prevalence of asthma, respiratory symptoms and allergic disorders among adolescents in the province of Aquila].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Estimates the prevalence of asthma and other allergic disorders in a random group of adolescents living in the L'Aquila area, which was not covered by SIDRIA (Italian Studies on Respiratory Disorders in Children and the Environment). The second phase of the study showed considerable regional variations within Italy, with a higher prevalence of asthma and wheezing in Central Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used the same standardised questionnaire of SIDRIA and included 1100 adolescents aged 13-14 years, between January-March 2004.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of lifetime asthma was 6.7%, cumulative and current prevalence of wheezing were 19.1% and 9.0% respectively. A relatively high proportion of adolescents, 29.2%, reported night cough and 3.6% symptoms of severe asthma. Lifetime prevalence of hay fever and eczema were respectively 17.8% and 6.7%. Prevalence rates of allergic rhinitis and atopic-eczema symptoms were higher in females. The risk of asthma was associated to exposure to: pollen, to house dust mite and to paternal smoking, whereas current smoking in the adolescents was significantly associated to wheezing during the previous 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although asthma prevalence is relatively low in L'Aquila area, it represents an important public health problem that requires further researches into genetics, environmental and medical care factors.
authors.affiliation: Facoltà di medicina e chirurgia, Dipartimento di medicina interna e sanità pubblica, Università dell'Aquila. antonella.mattei@cc.univaq.it
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mattei
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Angelone
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Stefano
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sbarbati
authors.forename: Debora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cialfi
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: di Orio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens