Abstract

Asthma is one of the chronic illnesses most frequently occurred in the world. Its prevalence, morbidity and mortality gradually increase. In Denizli, we aimed to determine the risk factors effecting asthma evolution and the prevalence of symptoms related with asthma in adults in 20–49 age group. ECRHS (European Community Respiratory Health Survey) public survey and an additional form prepared by us have been applied to 2516 people in Denizli city center. The most frequent symptoms were cough causing awakening (17,4%) and wheezing (16,8 %). It was found that asthma attack rate was 1,5% and medicine usage rate because of asthma diagnosis was 2,3%. It was seen that asthma like symptoms become more frequent in the older people, and more frequent in females. For wheezing; being female (ORs (95% CI):1.61 (1.24-2.09) p<0.05), being at least 40 years-old (ORs (95% CI): 2.2 (1.68-2.88) p=0.001), atopi existency in the family (ORs (95 % CI): 2.53 (2.01-3.20) p<0.001), being widow-widowed (ORs (95% CI): 2.93 (1.29-6.67) p<0.001), being not literate (ORs (95% CI): 2.39 (1.17-4.86) p<0.001), smoking (ORs (95% CI): 2.23 (1.71- 2.90) (p<0.001), existence of cockroach at home (ORs (95% CI): 1.27 (1.01-1.60) p=0.004) and feeding cat (ORs (95% CI): 3.0 (1.08-8.87) p=0.015) are determined as an independent risk factor. In conclusion, in this study, it was determined the existency of asthma like symptoms in adults in 20 – 49 age group within city center. It was seen that the environmental risc factors lead to asthma like symptoms.