Surveillance of the health status of the population of the city of Parona (Italy), Phase 2]

This study is part of a prospective study, which started in the year 2000, to monitor the health status of the population of the city of Parona, a previously agricultural area which has been transformed in a prevalently industrial area. This is the second phase of a project regarding the epidemiological surveillance of this population. The aim of the project was to detect changes in the health status of the population, particularly with regard to respiratory diseases associated with air pollution. Data was collected through the use of a questionnaire and a spirometry test. A control group was used in both parts of the study; control subjects lived in the city of Rovescala. In total 1484 subjects were invited by letter to participate and 399 (27%) accepted. The mean age of participants was 48 years (range 15-74 years). Only 149/399 (37%) subjects had participated in part 1 of the study. No significant changes were found in respiratory symptoms during the period considered. Three hundred eighty six subjects underwent spirometry testing, 36 of which (9%) were found to have an abnormal result. A moderately increased prevalence of obstructive airway signs on spirometry was registered in female participants, with respect to the year 2000 (5.9% vs 2.6%). On the other hand, the prevalence of restrictive signs remained similar in both males (1,7% vs 2,4%) and females (2% vs 1,5%). The spirometry changes detected in the149 subjects (65 male and 84 female) who participated in both parts of the study (parts 1 and 2) were most likely age-related. No significant differences were found with respect to the control group, although the prevalence of obstructive signs among males was greater in the city of Parona (9.2% vs 6.9%.