[Geography of endobronchial pathology in the Astrakhan Region during anthropogenic burden of the region].

Bronchoscopy was made in 2264 patients with tuberculosis (1998-2003). The development included 1274 patients with endobronchial pathology that was divided into 3 groups: 1) nonspecific endoronchitis; 2) tuberculous bronchial lesions (+ cicatricial stenoses); and 3) benign and malignant bronchial tumors. In the Astrakhan Region, endobronchial pathology is nonuniformly distributed, its greater proportion being observed in the southeastern and south-western areas of the region. Endoronchitis holds the lead (74%), next are bronchial tuberculosis (19%) and tumors (7%). There is an association of endobronchial pathology with atmospheric discharges of noxious substances exceeding the maximally allowable concentrations. Moreover, a correlation analysis revealed a close relationship of endobronchitis to bronchial tuberculosis and a tumorous process.