Objective: To analyse the relationship between obesity and overweight and the prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitization, and the impact of gender and place of residence. Design: Questionnaire based on those used in ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) and ECRHS (European Community Respiratory Health Survey). Setting: Our study involved populations of the eight largest cities and one rural region in Poland (each with over 150 000 inhabitants). Subjects: The study included 18 617 participants (24·2 % aged 6-7 years, 25·4 % aged 13-14 years, 50·4 % adults aged 20-44 years) in eight cities and one rural area. The out-patient study involved 4783 patients (25·7 %); we performed skin prick testing with fifteen aeroallergens. Results: Overweight was found in 16·13 % of participants (9·11 % of 6-7-year-olds, 4·90 % of 13-14-year-olds and 25·61 % of adults), obesity in 6·41 % (7·16 %, 2·45 % and 8·36 %, respectively). In adults, overweight (OR = 1·34) and obesity (OR = 1·80) increased the prevalence of asthma, especially in women (OR = 1·53, OR = 2·01). Among 13-14-year-olds the prevalence was higher only in the obese (OR = 1·76). Overweight (OR = 1·99) and obesity (OR = 2·17) affected the incidence of doctordiagnosed asthma in 6-7-year-olds. Overweight (OR = 0·81) and obesity (OR = 0·76) reduced the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in men. There was no relationship between BMI and asthma in people from rural areas. Obesity and overweight did not affect the frequency of sensitization to aeroallergens. Conclusions: Overweight and obesity increased the prevalence of symptomatic asthma in adults, especially in women. In 13-14-year-olds, only obesity increased the prevalence of asthma. In children, overweight was associated with increased prevalence of clinically diagnosed and declared asthma and a trend towards atopy. Higher BMI was negatively associated with the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in overweight and obese man. There was no correlation between BMI and sensitization to aeroallergens.

AD should be more frequent in children with a positive atopy history and in children who live in the city. Aeroallergens play an essential role in pathogenesis of eczema in children. House-dust mites and grass pollen proved to be the most common relevant aeroallergens.

IntroductionThe incidence of allergies depends on a number of factors, including adopting an urban “western” lifestyle, genetic predispositions, and different regions of residence.AimTo compare the prevalence of allergic conditions (seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), bronchial asthma (BA), atopic dermatitis (AD)) in a group of countryside versus urban residents in Poland.Material and methodsThe prevalence of allergic conditions in urban versus countryside settings was assessed using the translated and approved questionnaire developed for international ECRHS II and ISAAC studies. Respondents were selected via random multistage sampling, with proportionate stratified sampling, and the Polish Resident Identification Number (PESEL) as the basis. A total of 18,617 respondents took part in the study. Subsequently, approximately 25% of the subjects underwent outpatient assessments: skin-prick, lung function, peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) tests, as well as history-taking.ResultsAllergic rhinitis (AR) proved to be the most common condition in the entire study population. Children residing in the countryside were twice more likely to be diagnosed with BA (8.33% vs. 4%; p < 0.05). Conversely, in the adult subgroup, BA was more commonly observed in urban areas. Whereas reported symptom rates were much higher in AR and AD patients, symptomatic BA was proportionately lower with respect to the official diagnoses (underdiagnosed BA phenomenon). Atopic dermatitis was considerably more common in the metropolitan population. One factor that significantly correlated with allergic diseases was a positive family history.ConclusionsInhabitants of metropolitan areas are to a greater extent predisposed to allergic conditions. One factor significantly contributing to allergies is genetic predisposition. Given the scale of the problem, there is an urgent need to implement measures for early prevention and diagnosis of allergies to minimize distant health effects.

Objective. The study aimed to assess the effect of fur-bearing pets, including cats and dogs, on the health of individuals with allergic conditions. Materials and method. The study group comprised 18,617 individuals (16,562 from urban and 2,055 from rural areas). The tool used in the study was the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) and International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) study questionnaire, adapted to European conditions (Middle and Eastern Europe) and used as part of the study Implementation of a System for the Prevention and Early Detection of Allergic Diseases in Poland. Results. The factors determining the keeping of fur-bearing pets in a household included a larger living space and the number of cigarettes smoked, which were observed especially in urban settings. The keeping of fur-bearing animals in rural areas acts preventively against allergic conditions, while in urban areas, these animals were a factor clearly aggravating symptoms of bronchial asthma -the risk of cough (OR 1.921; CI 10-3.36; P=0.02) and wheezing (OR 2.60; CI 1.22-5.54; P=0.01). Conclusion. Fur-bearing animals kept in rural settings exhibit preventive effects on the development of allergies; whereas in urban areas they exacerbate allergic symptoms, especially the symptoms of bronchial asthma.