Incidence and prevalence of asthma among adults in Mosonmagyaróvár county, Hungary from 1989 to 1999 and their relation to hay fever

Study objective: to examine the prevalence of asthma and hay fever, and the incidence and temporal relationship of asthma and hay fever among adult patients during a 10-year period.

Methods: a prospective age-standardized prevalence and cumulative incidence were calculated for asthma and hay fever among 2884 allergic patients, in Mosonmagyaróvar county, North-West Hungary, during a 10-year period and the link between asthma and hay fever were studied.

Results: the prevalence of hay fever increased continuously from 1989 (1%) to 1999 (4,8%). The prevalence of allergic asthma increased from 1989 (0,6%) to 1999 (2,1%). Hay fever was nearly always found 6ą2 years before asthma was diagnosed. Intermittent and mild asthma symptoms occurred usually in late summer and autumn months, that supports the role of hay fever in asthma exacerbation and the importance of the treatment of allergic rhinitis as a role in asthma prevention. The hay fever increased the risk of asthma significantly.

Conclusion: The pattern of increase in asthma and hay fever prevalence with time was similar, and hay fever was a strong predictor of asthma. It reminds the physician to be aware of this association when treating patients with one or both of this disorders.