Risk factors for acute respiratory tract illness in military conscripts.
OBJECTIVE
Acute respiratory tract infections are the leading cause of missed service days among military conscripts. The aim of this study was to identify factors that possibly predicted and contributed to frequent respiratory tract infections among military conscripts.


METHODS
Data on episodes of respiratory illness were collected during the 180-day period of military service in Kajaani, Finland, between July 2004 and July 2005.


RESULTS
There were 518 military conscripts recruited, 124 of whom had a diagnosis of asthma. Conscripts with frequent (three or more) infections were more often atopic or suffered from allergic rhinitis or asthma. Overweight (BMI >/= 25 kg/m(2)) and previous respiratory tract infections were the two independent risk factors for frequent respiratory infections. Overall, 4.8% of those who had no risk factors, 10. 3% of those with one risk factor and 35.7% of those with two risk factors suffered from frequent respiratory infections (P for trend < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Overweight (BMI >/= 25 kg/m(2)) and previous respiratory tract infections are risk factors for frequent respiratory tract infections in young men during military service.
Juvonen
Raija
R
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kainuu Central Hospital, Kajaani, Finland. raija.juvonen@kainuu.fi
Bloigu
Aini
A
Peitso
Ari
A
Silvennoinen-Kassinen
Sylvi
S
Saikku
Pekka
P
Leinonen
Maija
M
Harju
Terttu
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012008:Recurrence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons
D002097:C-Reactive Protein