[THE PREVALENCE OF RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AMONG RESIDENTS OF THE RUSSIAN FAR NORTH].

Abstract

Aim To study the frequency of respiratory symptoms among the reindeer herders of the Yamal region in the Far North of Russia. We conducted a cross-sectional study of the occurrence of respiratory symptoms among 500 subjects of the tundra Nenets population (28.1% of the adult Nenets population in the district), of which 38.3% were men and 61.7% women (average age 40.1 years). All patients were matched for age and occupation. Medical examination was carried out by a pulmonologist with the use of the GARD questionnaire (WHO, 2004) and spirometry. Spirometry was performed with a SpiroUSB device (UK) according to a unified standard and the criteria of ATS/ERS 2005. The frequency of respiratory symptoms among the tundra population was estimated at 71.8%. Cough with expectoration and dyspnea were found in 22.8% of the respondents. 70.0% of the examined subjects worked in the cold, 33% were exposed to the open flame at home, and 34.4% smoked. Respiratory symptoms developed in 16.3% of those working in the cold and in 37% exposed to open fire. The combination of such complaints as cough and sputum production occurred in smokers twice as frequently as in non-smokers (54.1%) (p<0.01).The combination of such complaints as cough and sputum production was twice as likely note in his those who smoked (54.1% vs 20.2%) (p<0.01). The combination of these problems dyspnea was three times more common in the smokers (23,3%vs 7,3%) (p<0.001). At presence at patients of such a factor as work in the cold and the absence of other only 16.3% of them have respiratory symptoms. When using at home the open flame and the absence of other factors leading up 37.0% of the individuals with symptoms of chronic bronchitis. Cough, sputum and dyspnea are formed only among 26.3% of the smokers face when smoking is the only risk factor. If the surveyed residents of all three negative factors respiratory symptoms met at 62.1%. Disorders of respiratory function according to spirometry were not observed in none of the study participants. Respiratory symptoms developed in 62.1% of the subjects exposed to all three risk factors. External respiration indices remain normal in all he examine subjects. It is concluded that residents of the Far North frequently suffer respiratory symptoms without disorders in the external respiratory function. In most cases they associated with three factors (work in the cold, exposure to open fire at home, and smoking). Compensatory stimulation of lung functions may create additional difficulties for diagnostics of bronchial obstruction.