[Prevalence of respiratory diseases in a rural population in the north of Catalonia: La Cerdanya].

BACKGROUND

There are few epidemiological studies on health respiration in the population of Catalonia (Spain). This is a cross-sectional study of prevalence about respiratory diseases in a rural population in La Cerdanya (Catalonia).

METHODS

The sample was obtained by a simple random method among the Cerdanya population older than 6 years. The questionnaire used was from the American Thoracic Society for the Division of Lung Disease with an annex attached for extrinsec allergic alveolitis which was worked out.

RESULTS

The smoking prevalence was 24.2%, among the farmers (17.1%) was lower than the general population, and it was higher in the men (36.0%). The bronchitis chronic symptoms prevalence was 9.2%, higher in the men (11.3%). The bronchial asthma symptoms prevalence was 4.8% and the farmer's lung symptoms was 0.2% in the general population and 1.0% among the farmers.

CONCLUSIONS

The smoking frequency La Cerdanya is lower than in the rest of Catalonia, probably because the farmers have a lower prevalence of smoking. The smoking habit and chronic bronchitis is higher in males. The chronic bronchitis prevalence in farmers with moderated or severe contact with organic dust is higher than in the farmers with lighter contact.