Asthma, asthma-related symptoms and obstructive pattern in Greece: Early results of the E.ME.NO study

Abstract

To date no nationwide epidemiological study of asthma in the general population has been performed in Greece. The present study examines the association of asthma and asthma-related symptoms (ARS) with obstructive pattern (OP) in the adult general population in Greece. The EΜEΝΟ survey (National Morbidity and Risk Factors Survey) supported by the European Social Fund and national funds is currently performed in Greece, aiming to include 6,000 adults using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method throughout the country. Information on asthma and ARS was collected through questionnaires administered by interviewers. Participants were also submitted to spirometry. An interim analysis of participants recruited from 03/2014 to 12/2015 was performed. A total of 1980 participants who had technically acceptable spirometry were included in the study. Individuals reporting asthma or ARS had significantly higher prevalence of OP in spirometry than those who did not report. High percentages of OP were also observed among individuals with known asthma and ARS. Our results indicate a high proportion of obstructive pattern among individuals with known asthma and ARS in the population of Greece. Partially controlled asthma may be an explanation. Further studies are needed to elucidate potential factors such as socioeconomic, under treatment, smoking, persistent environmental exposures that may be implicated.