INTRODUCTION

Nowadays about 12 to 26% of European citizens suffer from atopic dermatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and to identify risk factors of atopic dermatitis in general population of Lodz province' citizens.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A random sample of 1522 subjects aged from 30 to 80 years was taken from general population of Lodz inhabitants. Demographic data and the anamnesis were collected from all the participants on the basis of standardised questionnaires. Additionally, skin prick tests were performed with 10 aeroallergens. The diagnosis was established on the basis of collected data. The additional examinations were performed in the doubtful cases.

RESULTS

The complete data from 1340 (1057 adults and 283 children) were included into the further analysis. Prevalence of atopic dermatitis was assessed on the level 9.2% in children and 0.9% in adults. Atopic family history and passive smoking were strong risk factors for AD development in children (OR respectively 3.69 and 3.4). The difference between the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in the city and rural areas was only observed in adults (OR = 2.3 for living in the city), while in children equally high prevalence was observed in both areas. Earlier, atopic dermatitis was not correctly diagnosed in 38% of examined children and 10% of adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of our epidemiological study show that atopic dermatitis has become an important clinical and sociological problem in Lodz province. The high prevalence of atopic dermatitis in rural areas may predict an increase of other atopic diseases' prevalence and the disappearance of differences between city and rural areas.