title: The prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases among adults 30-49 years of age in Bolu, Western Black Sea Region of Turkey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of asthma, asthma-like symptoms and allergic diseases among adults 30-49 years of age in regions of Bolu.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was given to families of students in schools in different areas of Bolu, Turkey. The European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) and a questionnaire, including questions about the socioeconomic status and demographic characteristics of the participants, were responded to by 1403 people.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of symptoms and diseases were as follows: wheezing in the last year 12.0% (n=168), asthma 8.7% (n=121), doctor-diagnosed asthma 3.6% (n=50), currently taking drugs for asthma 1.2% (n=17), allergic rhinitis 16.5% (n=230), and eczema 9.6% (n=134). The risk factors for each symptom or disease were as follows: for wheezing: smoking in the house (odds ratio [OR]=2.43 and 95% Confidence Limits [95%CL]=1.53-3.86), living in a non-concrete building (OR=2.17, 95%CL=1.27-3.69); for asthma: mold in the house (OR=1.70, 95% CL=1.05-2.76), living in a shanty (OR=2.76, 95%CL=1.30-5.85), smoking in the house (OR=1.51, 95%CL=1.02-2.22); for allergic rhinitis: being female (OR=1.55, 95%CL=1.08-2.24), living in a shanty (OR=5.81, 95%CL=2.06-16.39), a monthly income below $300 (OR = 1.74, 95%CL=1.13-2.69).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high rate of undiagnosed and untreated people with asthma among adults 30-49 years of age is present in Bolu. Especially, while a low socioeconomic level was observed to increase the risk of asthma and allergic rhinitis, risk of wheeze and asthma was found to be elevated by smoking in house.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chest Diseases, Abant Izzet Baysal University School of Medicine, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Talay
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chest Diseases, Abant Izzet Baysal University School of Medicine, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kurt
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chest Diseases, Abant Izzet Baysal University School of Medicine, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tug
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chest Diseases, Abant Izzet Baysal University School of Medicine, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: O K
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Kurt
authors.affiliation: Departments of 2Dermatology, Abant Izzet Baysal University School of Medicine, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Goksugur
authors.affiliation: Departments of Chest Diseases, Abant Izzet Baysal University School of Medicine, Bolu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yasar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D059038:Black Sea; D004485:Eczema / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology