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The role of climate on the geographic variability of asthma, allergic rhinitis and respiratory symptoms: results from the Italian study of asthma in young adults

2004; Wiley; Volume: 59; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1046/j.1398-9995.2003.00391.x

1398-9995

Maria Elisabetta Zanolin, Cristian Pattaro, Angelo Guido Corsico, Massimiliano Bugiani, Laura Carrozzi, L Casali, Rossano Dallari, Marcello Ferrari, Alessandra Marinoni, Enrica Migliore, Mario Olivieri, Pietro Pirina, Giuseppe Verlato, Simona Villani, Roberto de Marco,

Air Quality and Health Impacts

Background: Variations in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms according to geo‐climatic factors could provide important clues to the knowledge of the aetiology of asthma. Methods: Geo‐climatic variations in the prevalence of current asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic cough, and phlegm were assessed on a random sample of 18 873 subjects (response rate = 72.7%) from different climatic regions of Italy. An ecological analysis, supported by robust statistical methods, was employed to investigate potential trends. Results: The prevalence of all symptoms was significantly heterogeneous throughout the peninsula. Only asthma‐like symptoms showed a north–south trend: the prevalence increased at a decreasing latitude [odds ratio (OR) varies from 0.92 to 0.96, P < 0.05], at a decreasing distance from the sea (OR: 0.90–0.93 for 30 km distance, P < 0.05), at higher annual mean temperatures (OR: 1.11–1.14, P < 0.05) and at smaller annual temperature ranges (OR: 0.94–0.95, P < 0.05). Of the geo‐climatic variables considered, temperature range had the greatest influence on most asthma‐like symptoms. No association was found between geo‐climatic variables and allergic rhinitis or chronic cough and phlegm. Conclusions: Asthma prevalence seems to be significantly affected by climate as asthma‐like symptoms were more common in central‐southern Italy, with a Mediterranean climate, than in areas with a continental climate (northern Italy).