Prevalence of asthma and asthma-like symptoms 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 evaluated the prevalence of asthma and asthma related symptoms (ARS) in a randomly selected sample representative of 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, involving localities throughout the country. Information on asthma and ARS during the last 12 months was collected through questionnaires administered by trained interviewers. An interim analysis of participants recruited from 03/2014 to 12/2015 was performed. Prevalence of asthma and ARS was determined taking into account the design of the study and additional adjustments for age and sex. A total of 5,137 participants were included. The prevalence of asthma was 6.3% (CI 95%: 5,6%-7,0%) and it was higher in women (7.2% vs 5.3% in men, p=0.011). We also observed higher prevalences of ARS in women except wheezing. Prevalences of ARS (overall) are presented below Asthma and asthma related symptoms prevalence in the general adult population in Greece are higher than the global ones estimated by the World Health Survey (To et al, BMC Public Health 2012; 12: 204).