[Respiratory diseases in European farmers-II. Part of the European farmers' project].

Background: The aim of the European Farmers' Project was to estimate the prevalence of respiratory diseases in farmers across Europe. Furthermore, risk factors for respiratory symptoms in different parts of agricultural production should be assessed.

Methods: In the first part of the study, 7496 farmers from four European countries answered a written questionaire.

Prevalence and risk factors for airway diseases in farmers--summary of results of the European Farmers' Project.

The aim of the European Farmers' Project was to determine prevalence and risk factors of respiratory diseases in farmers across Europe. A cross-sectional study in 7 centres was carried out. In the first stage of the study, nearly 8,000 farmers in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, and Spain answered a standardised questionnaire on farming characteristics and respiratory symptoms.

Respiratory symptoms in European animal farmers.

Farmers are known to be at high risk for the development of occupational airway disease. The aim of this European study was to determine which airway symptoms predominate in different types of animal farmers (cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep) and to compare the prevalence of symptoms to the general population. A total of 6,156 randomly selected animal farmers in Denmark, Germany (Schleswig-Holstein, Niedersachsen), Switzerland, and Spain completed a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and farming characteristics in 1995-1997.

Respiratory symptoms of obstructive lung disease in European crop farmers.

Crop farming as a risk factor for respiratory symptoms of obstructive lung disease was assessed. Random samples of crop farmers from four European countries were studied following a cross-sectional design. A questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and occupation was administered to determine prevalences, and the roles of the various crops as risk factors for respiratory symptoms were assessed through logistic regression modeling.

Work-related respiratory disorders and farming characteristics among cattle farmers in Northern Germany.

Background: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among Northern German farmers in relation to cattle farming characteristics.

Methods: 1735 farmers were visited on their farms and were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire on work-related respiratory symptoms and farming details.

Results: 84.