Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in an unpolluted area of northern Italy

Using a multistage stratified geographic cluster sample of households living in an unpolluted area of Northern Italy (near Venice), we enrolled 3289 inhabitants (aged 8-64 yr) for a longitudinal respiratory study. During the first cross-sectional survey, before the start of operation of a large oil-burning thermoelectric power plant, they completed a standardized administered questionnaire and performed several lung function tests. In the whole sample, dyspnoea grade 1 (11%), chronic cough and chronic phlegm (9%) were the most frequent respiratory symptoms; all the symptoms except dyspnoea were more prevalent in males than in females. Smokers (S) showed higher prevalence rates than ex-smokers (ES) and nonsmokers (NS), especially in males. In both sexes, the frequency of respiratory symptoms increased with increasing smoking as assessed by pack-years. An inverse relationship between prevalence of symptoms and socio-economic status was also observed. All tests of lung function were significantly impaired in S compared with NS in males; single-breath CO diffusing capacity and slope of alveolar plateau but not spirometric indices were significantly impaired in female S compared to female ES and NS. Finally, our prevalence rates were lower than in other epidemiological surveys: this result may be ascribed to the low levels of air pollution measured in the area.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Pelkonen, I.-L. Notkola, A. Nissinen, H. Tukiainen, and H. Koskela Thirty-Year Cumulative Incidence of Chronic Bronchitis and COPD in Relation to 30-Year Pulmonary Function and 40-Year Mortality: A Follow-up in Middle-Aged Rural Men. Chest, October 1, 2006; 130(4): 1129 - 1137. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D.L. Rabin, B. Thompson, K.M. Brown, M.A. Judson, X. Huang, D.T. Lackland, G.L. Knatterud, H. Yeager Jr, C. Rose, J. Steimel, et al. Sarcoidosis: social predictors of severity at presentation Eur. Respir. J., October 1, 2004; 24(4): 601 - 608. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Viegi, G. Matteelli, A. Angino, A. Scognamiglio, S. Baldacci, J. B. Soriano, and L. Carrozzi The Proportional Venn Diagram of Obstructive Lung Disease in the Italian General Population Chest, October 1, 2004; 126(4): 1093 - 1101. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B.W.M. Willemse, D.S. Postma, W. Timens, and N.H.T. ten Hacken The impact of smoking cessation on respiratory symptoms, lung function, airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation Eur. Respir. J., March 1, 2004; 23(3): 464 - 476. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Langhammer, R. Johnsen, A. Gulsvik, T.L. Holmen, and L. Bjermer Sex differences in lung vulnerability to tobacco smoking Eur. Respir. J., June 1, 2003; 21(6): 1017 - 1023. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Bellia, F. Pistelli, D. Giannini, N. Scichilone, F. Catalano, M. Spatafora, R. Hopps, L. Carrozzi, S. Baldacci, F. Di Pede, et al. Questionnaires, spirometry and PEF monitoring in epidemiological studies on elderly respiratory patients Eur. Respir. J., May 1, 2003; 21(40_suppl): 21S - 27s. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Bottai, F. Pistelli, F. Di Pede, L. Carrozzi, S. Baldacci, G. Matteelli, A. Scognamiglio, and G. Viegi Longitudinal changes of body mass index, spirometry and diffusion in a general population Eur. Respir. J., September 1, 2002; 20(3): 665 - 673. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Viegi, M. Pedreschi, F. Pistelli, F. Di Pede, S. Baldacci, L. Carrozzi, and C. Giuntini Prevalence of Airways Obstruction in a General Population : European Respiratory Society vs American Thoracic Society Definition Chest, May 1, 2000; 117(5_suppl_2): 339S - 345S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. M. Vollmer, P. L. Enright, K. L. Pedula, F. Speizer, L. H. Kuller, J. Kiley, and G. G. Weinmann Race and Gender Differences in the Effects of Smoking on Lung Function Chest, March 1, 2000; 117(3): 764 - 772. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. PISTELLI, M. BOTTAI, G. VIEGI, F. DI PEDE, L. CARROZZI, S. BALDACCI, M. PEDRESCHI, and C. GIUNTINI Smooth Reference Equations for Slow Vital Capacity and Flow-Volume Curve Indexes Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., March 1, 2000; 161(3): 899 - 905. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]