RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AND PULMONARY FUNCTION IN THE POPULATION OF PARONA (PV) ACCORDING TO TOBACCO EXPOSURE

Background
The health status of a population sample living in Parona (Pavia) was surveyed to evaluate the association
between exposure to active and passive smoke and chronic respiratory symptoms.
Methods
483 subjects were studied. The protocol included a questionnaire administrated by a physician, pulmonary
function test and blood analysis.
Results
124 subjects were current smokers, 104 subjects were past smokers and 252 were non-smokers. Sixty two
(12.9%) of the subjects had pathological PFT: 48 (10%) had airflow obstruction and 14 (2.9%) had restriction
of lung volumes. The prevalence of pathological tests was significantly higher in males than in females (p<
0.05). Most of pathological tests have been found in smokers: the prevalence was 16.9% in current smokers,
14.4% in quitters, 11.8% in ETS-exposed people and 9.4% in ETS-non-exposed. The frequency of
pathological PFTs was significantly higher in subjects exposed (p< 0.05). The mean value of FVC% predicted
tended to be lower in smokers, intermediate in ETS exposed subjects.
Conclusions
Chronic respiratory symptoms were reported significantly more often by smokers. The prevalence of
pathological pulmonary function tests was significantly higher and FVC tended to be lower in subjects
exposed to active and/or passive smoking than in non-exposed. Our results demonstrate the health impact
of smoke on the general population of a low polluted area. Besides smoking cessation, lowering ETS
exposure could represent one of the most important tool to improve respiratory health, and may contribute
to prevent and reduce progression to COPD.