Low prevalence of asthma in westernizing countries-myth or reality? Prevalence of asthma in Estonia--a report from the "FinEsS" study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of asthma among adults in Estonia by using different diagnostic methods and criteria for the disease.

Methods: In 1995-1996, a postal questionnaire was randomly distributed in three areas of Estonia to a representative sample of 22,579 subjects aged 15-64 years. The participation rate was 78%.

Postal survey on asthma, chronic bronchitis and respiratory symptoms among adult Estonians and non-Estonians (FinEsS-study).

Background: According to the data of the population census held in Estonia in 1989, the resident population consisted of 61.5% Estonians and 38.5% non-Estonians, the majority of them being Russians--30.