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Med. Pr. 2003;54(1)

BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN RURAL ENVIRONMENT

ASTMA OSKRZELOWA W ŚRODOWISKU WIEJSKIM

Jolanta Walusiak, Cezary Pałczyński

Abstract

This paper reviews basic problems concerning epidemiology and pathogenesiss of bronchial asthma in the rural environment. Possible causes of the decreased prevalence of atopy and allergic diseases are analyzed. Etiology, pathogenesis and clinical findings of asthma-like syndromes, a major problem of differential diagnosis, as well as the principles of occupational asthma diagnostics in farmers are also presented.

Key words

occupational asthma, farmers, epidemiology, allergens, diagnostics