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Background. The hygiene hypothesis proposed by Strachan in the 1980s clearly emphasized the role of microorganisms in atopy prevention.

Results of epidemiological and public health surveys are often presented in the form of cross-classification tables. It is sometimes difficult to analyze data described in this way and to understand relations between variables. Graphical methods such as correspondence analysis are more convenient and useful. Our paper describes an application of correspondence analysis to epidemiological research. We apply the basic concepts of correspondence analysis like profiles, chi-square distance to medical data concerning prevalence of asthma. We aim at describing the relationship between asthma, region, and age. The data presented in this paper come from Epidemiology of Allergy in Poland (ECAP) survey in years 2006–2008. Correspondence analysis shows that there is a fundamental difference in the structure of age groups for people with symptoms compared to those who have declared asthma (regardless of the level of symptoms of asthma and the level of declaration). The variable which best differentiates declared asthma in all regions is “wheezing and whistling.” Correspondence analysis also shows significant differences between locations. Our analyses are performed in the R package “ca”.

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Introduction: The patterns of sensitisation to airborne allergens and their association with allergic diseases have been analysed in different geographical regions. Aim: To analyse the impact of sensitisation to airborne allergens on allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma in different age groups of the Polish population. Material and methods: Completed questionnaires of 18,617 subjects (53.8% females), collected within the ECAP, a cross-sectional multicentre study, were analysed. Three groups of respondents were included: 6-7-year-olds (24.2%), 13-14-year-olds (25.4%), 20-44-year-olds (50.4%). The clinical part (an anamnesis, physical examination, spirometry, skin prick tests and an assay of major airborne allergen-specific IgE) was attended by 25.7% of the respondents. Results: The AR was most strongly related to sensitisation to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, with the highest odds ratios of 10 in two younger groups and of 16 for persistent AR in children. It was also the most important risk factor for allergic asthma, with odd ratios from 8.34 in children to 6.40 in adolescents. Sensitisation to grass pollen allergens was a major risk factor for both AR, with odds ratios from 9.16 in adults to 7.87 in adolescents, and asthma, with odds ratios from 6.16 in adolescents to 5.67 in adults. Conclusions: AR and asthma shared common risk factors, independently of age. Sensitisation to airborne allergens was significantly associated with asthma and, even more strongly, with AR, across all age groups. The AR was the strongest risk factor for allergic asthma in the youngest group. Persistent AR increased asthma risk more than intermittent AR in all age groups.

Introduction Nasal polyps are frequently associated with bronchial asthma and rhinitis. The chronic nature of the symptoms, the high post-treatment recurrence rates, as well as various comorbidities, constitute key factors that significantly affect the quality of life of patients diagnosed with this condition. Aim The purpose of the study was to estimate the prevalence of nasal polyps in the examined population and to assess the possible associative occurrence of nasal polyps (NP) with bronchial asthma (BA), allergic (AR) and non-allergic rhinitis (NAR), and atopic dermatitis (AD). Material and methods The ECRHS II and ISAAC questionnaires of the study group of 18,458 individuals, including 4,473 6–7-year-olds (24.2%), 4,675 13–14-year-olds (25.4%), and 9,310 20–44-year-olds (50.4%) were performed. Results The prevalence of nasal polyps in the examined group was 1.1%, reported by a total of 204 individuals. Nasal polyps were reported more frequently among urban residents (191 (1.1%)) than rural residents (13 (0.6%)). Our study demonstrated a correlation between the presence of nasal polyps and asthma, as well as allergic and non-allergic rhinitis The greatest risk factor for NP in the evaluated subpopulation with multiple allergic conditions was the co-existence of non-allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis (OR = 6.09; 95% CI: 3.4–10.93). Conclusions Nasal polyps are relatively rare in the evaluated Polish population. Nonetheless, we believe their co-occurrence with non-allergic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, and atopic dermatitis to be of significant importance, as it illustrates the phenomenon of multimorbidity of inflammatory conditions affecting the upper and lower respiratory tract.

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Introduction: Despite the known role of pollen allergens in causing allergy symptoms in sensitized individuals, there are few publications investigating the relationship between pollen exposure in different regions and the prevalence of inhalant allergy. Aim: To assess the association between the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma and the degree of exposure to pollen in various regions of Poland. Material and methods: Completed questionnaires of 9,443 subjects living in four urban centres (Wroclaw, Katowice, Warsaw, Bialystok), collected within part of the ECAP project, were analyzed. Children aged 6-7 (n = 2 278), adolescents aged 13-14 (n = 2 418), and adults aged 20-44 (n = 4 747) constituted 24.2%, 25.6% and 50.3% of the respondents, respectively. The clinical part (including skin prick tests, an assay of Timothy grass-specific IgE), was attended by 24% of the respondents. Data from 6-year pollen monitoring served to characterize birch and grass pollen seasons. Results: We found insignificant negative associations between the duration of birch pollen season and the prevalence of declared allergic rhinitis and asthma during the season across all age groups. There were insignificant inverse associations between the number of days with above-threshold and high grass pollen concentrations, total grass pollen count and the prevalence of declared allergic rhinitis and asthma during the season across all age groups. Associations noted in the clinical part were also non-significant; however, these trends were not uniform across the age groups. Conclusions: Our findings do not confirm the hypothesis of a positive association between pollen exposure and the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma.