Asthma and allergy in Albania

Background: The risk of allergic disease may be influenced by the degree of "westernization" survey was conducted to ascertain whether the prevalence of allergy was lower in Albania than elsewhere in Europe, as it has been th e most isolated European country. Methods: The subjects were residents of T irana aged 20-44 years. A screening questionnaire was completed by 2653 sub jects. A more detailed questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 564 respondents, together with skin prick tests and serum IgE assay. Results: The prevalence of wheeze in the last year, and of wheeze without a cold, was lower in Albania than in any country that participated in the Eu ropean Community Respiratory Health Survey. Nasal allergy and atopy (as ind icated by serum specific IgE) were also uncommon in Albania, although serum total IgE concentrations were high. Conclusions: The findings confirmed the hypothesis of a low prevalence of a llergy in Albania. Possible reasons include the recent economic isolation o f Albania, the infrequency of smoking by women, the lack of domestic pets, and the high incidence of childhood infection and parasitic infestation. Th e prevalence of allergy and its potential determinants should be monitored in Albania as that country acquires the characteristics of other parts of E urope.