[Epidemiology of adult asthma (Socio-economic effects) (author's transl)].

A study of the prevalence of adult asthma (subjects over 18 years of age) has been carried out in the Puy-de-Dôme area over the past two years by means of a questionnaire sent out to all the doctors in the area. 1,130 asthmatics have been inventoried to this day (547 males and 583 females). A study of the geographical distribution carried out in terms of demographic data on thhe present time, but is certainly underestimated. Correspondence analysis shows up the influence of age on the severity of the attacks. Frequency calculation and the cumulated frequency of the answers to the question concerning the date of the onset of asthma, leads to the conclusion that there will probably be an important increase of cases of late asthma in the next few years. The socio-economic and professional (sick leave, change of job) effects of this type of asthma in adults are analysed.