Years in farming, inhalation fever (ODTS) and smoking increases the risk for asthma and other respiratory symptoms in farmers

Respiratory disease is a major occupational hazard in farming. The purpose of this study was to investigate determinants of asthma and other respiratory symptoms in farmers. Questionnaires were mailed to all farms in the county of Uppsala and in northwestern part of the county of Skane. The questionnaire contained questions on respiratory symptoms and on the work and production on the farms. Sixty percent of the farmers responded to the questionnaire. Only farmer working at least 15 hours a week with half of their time in farming (1515 men and 206 women) were included in the analysis. The mean age was 51 years. Nine percent were smokers and 24 percent ex-smokers. The female farmers worked significantly more often in all productions involving animals. They had a significantly higher prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma and chronic bronchitis compared to the males, 7.5 percent vs. 4.3 percent (p