The prevalence of asthma and allergy among university freshmen in Eskisehir, Turkey

The aim of this study was to determine the current and cumulative prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and reactivities to allergen skin prick tests (SPT) among university freshmen. The data at the first stage were collated through the application of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (-ECRHS- Stage I) questionnaire on 1603 students registering at various faculties and vocational colleges of Osmangazi University in Eskisehir, Turkey, in the academic year 1997-1998. At the second stage a physical examination as well as allergen SPTs were conducted on 151 students. Of the students within the study group, six (0.4%) had experienced an asthma attack within the previous 12 months, 11 (0.7%) had a past of asthma attacks and 123 (8.1%) reported wheezing attacks within the previous 12 months. The prevalence of asthma-like symptoms, rhinoconjunctivitis and dermatitis were found to be 17.0%, 10.0% and 5.9% respectively. Asthma and asthma-like symptoms were found to be significantly more prevalent among students who smoked. A positive SPT reaction to more than one allergen was found in 14.6% of the students. SPT positivity was 8.3% in asymptomatic students, 27.3% in asthmatic students, 14.5% in those with asthma-like symptoms, 28% in those with non-infectious rhinitis and 7.1% in those with dermatitis. In analysis of logistic regression, a history of atopy, as ascertained in the questionnaire, was seen to have a significant effect on SPT positivity. The rate of self-reported asthma and/or asthma-like symptoms among newly enrolled freshmen at the Osmangazi University was found to be lower than in other countries. Cigarette smoking was seen to increase such symptoms significantly, in comparison to non-smokers.