[Prevalence of adult asthma and allergic rhinitis in Kamishihoro town, Hokkaido--association with smoking habit and obesity].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of adult asthma and allergic rhinitis, and to analyze associations between smoking habit, obesity and disease in Kamishihoro town, Hokkaido.

METHODS

The Japanese edition of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) Questionnaire was completed by 3096 residents (men: 1520, women: 1576) who ranged in age from 18 to 81.

RESULTS

Among the respondents, 12.9% of the males and 9.8% of the females responded "Yes" to the questionnaire item, "Wheezing at any time in the last 12 months" (defined as having asthma) and 17.6% of the males and 23.0% of the females responded "Yes" to the question, "Do you have any nasal allergies including hay fever?" (defined as having allergic rhinitis). This prevalence tended to be higher among younger respondents. Smoking habit and obesity were significantly associated with wheezing over the last 12 months, but not with allergic rhinitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking habit and obesity are significantly associated with asthma in Kamishihoro town, located in a rural area of Hokkaido, Japan.