The prevalence of self-reported asthma and respiratory symptoms in Ankara, Turkey

Saraclar Y., Cetinkaya F., Tuncer A., Kalayci O., Adalioglu G., ŞEKEREL B. E., ...More

RESPIRATORY MEDICINE, vol.91, no.8, pp.461-463, 1997 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 91 Issue: 8
  • Publication Date: 1997
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/s0954-6111(97)90110-4
  • Journal Name: RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.461-463
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

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