Prevalence and risk factors of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in the very extreme environment of Naryn, Kyrgyzstan

Background: There is not much information about the prevalence of allergic diseases in high altitudes in central Asia; and even less on their potential risk of protective factors. Methods: A survey using the Global Asthma Network (GAN) methods was carried out in adolescents 13-14 years of age in Naryn (Kyrgyzstan), a small population with a cold, high-altitude, strongly continental climate. GAN questionnaires were self-administered in the school setting and height and weight measured in standardized way. The association between potential risk factors and the different disease indicators, as defined in previous GAN repots was expressed as crude or adjusted odds ratios after logistic regression analyses. Results: A total of 2673 were included in the analyses (participation rate, 93%). Indicators of asthma were 3.1%, 1.7% and 2.8% for current symptoms, severe current symptoms and asthma ever, respectively. The corresponding figures for rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema were: 13.3%, 1.7%, 16.0%; and 2.9%, 0.9%, 4.9%. Consistent factors associated with at least 1 indicator of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, or eczema were: increased physical activity, frequent paracetamol use, and low olive oil intake. Higher burger intake and higher BMI were associated only with current rhinoconjunctivitis. Truck traffic was associated only with eczema ever. Conclusions: The prevalence of disease indicators of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in Naryn are among the lowest in the world. The positive association between exercise and most allergy indicators, and the inverse association between olive oil intake and asthma, deserve further attention.