PREVALENCE OF ASTHMA AND ASTHMA-LIKE SYMPTOMS IN ATHENS, GREECE

Asthma is a common chronic condition and there is evidence that its pr evalence may be rising. The European Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) was planned to produce comparable data on asthma epidemiology in Euro pe. In Greece, in particular, a similar study has not been conducted p reviously and no epidemiological data are available on adult asthma pr evalence. Furthermore, the role of air pollution in the pathogenesis o f asthma is currently an issue of debate. Athens is a city with high a ir pollution, and a study of asthma epidemiology in this city may conf irm or refute a possible link with the expression of asthma. A questio nnaire developed by the ECRHS was sent to a random sample of 3533 hous eholds in Peristeri, an industrialized borough of Athens. Responses we re received from 2774 households (response rate 78%). Of all the data on individual subjects, only those from 3325 adults aged 20-44 years w ere considered, according to the study protocol. The self-reported cur rent prevalence of asthmatic attacks and asthma-like symptoms were as follows: asthma attack 2.4%, use of asthma medication 2.1%, awakening by shortness of breath 5.6%, awakening by cough 17.8%, wheezing 15.8% and nasal allergies 18.4%. It is concluded that the prevalence of asth ma and related symptoms in this region of Athens is rather low, despit e the high air-pollution levels in the city.