THE PREVALENCE OF SELF-REPORTED ASTHMA AND RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS IN ANKARA, TURKEY

The prevalence of self-reported asthma was studied in a group of Turki sh adults using the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRH S) questionnaire distributed during 1994 local elections in Ankara, Tu rkey. A total of 2020 questionnaires were issued and 1820(90%) were re turned. The mean age of the subjects was 34.5 +/- 10.2 years. The prev alence of wheezing at any time in the past was 39.1% which is much hig her than has been reported in the literature. However, only 21.7% of t he study population had wheezing in the year preceding the survey and 2.9% of them had severe asthma attacks. The prevlaences of nocturnal w heeze, nocturnal cough and morning tightness were higher in females (P =0.05 for each). The results of this study showed a high rate of repor ted symptoms but a low rate of diagnosis and treatment of asthma among the adult population in Ankara.