Respiratory diseases and allergies in a rural and an urban community in Saxony

The aim of this study was 1. to compare the prevalences of respiratory dise ases and allergies in a rural area and a big city in the state of Saxony, G ermany and 2. to compare the impact of different living conditions (especia lly the impact of road traffic) in both regions on these prevalences. In a cross sectional study the parents of 5 - 11 year old children from Dresden (n = 6317) and Aue/Stollberg (n = 3679) completed a validated questionnaire (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood - ISAAC) with qu estions abouth health status and living conditions. The prevalence of bronc hitis, asthma and atopic eczema were higher in Dresden than in the rural ar ea. The association between road traffic exposure and respiratory symptoms is stronger in the city compared to the rural area. However, the difference s between city and mal area in the prevalences of allergic and respiratory diseases can not be explained by traffic effects.