TY - JOUR T1 - Polish Spirometry Day 2013 as a way to increase public awareness concerning the causes, course and consequences of chronic respiratory diseases JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 44 IS - Suppl 58 SP - P1069 AU - Artur Badyda AU - Piotr Dabrowiecki AU - Anna Doboszynska AU - Anna Gayer AU - Dominika Mucha AU - Andrzej Chcialowski Y1 - 2014/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P1069.abstract N2 - BackgroundThere is rather a weak knowledge among Polish inhabitants on respiratory diseases, their causes, symptoms and effects. Dissemination of knowledge on these issues was one of the objective of Polish Spirometry Day completed in 2013.Material1187 persons (from 26 different locations) were investigated in a study made during Polish Spirometry Day in 2013. Pulmonary function tests were completed (Easy One, Spirolab spirometers) and occurrence of respiratory system diseases symptoms, allergies, smoking, etc. were proved. Detailed data on the place of residence were collected.ResultsFor 755 people (63.3% of the whole group) it was the first spirometry test in their life. In this group 134 cases of obstruction were identified (17.8% of the group) while among people previously examined 97 cases (23.2% of the group) were observed. Among people who have not previously been diagnosed with asthma or COPD (N=1067), spirometry tests showed obstruction among 197 individuals (18.5% of this group). Amid smokers obstruction occurrence were observed more often (especially in the group aged over 40). In the non-smokers group there were observed decreasing pulmonary function parameters among people living in cities (as compared to rural areas inhabitants) and closer to roads and streets with high traffic density.ConclusionPolish society still has little knowledge about chronic respiratory diseases and their relationship with smoking and environmental issues. As it was indicated a significant part of the population may unknowingly live with respiratory disease. The study shows the importance of screening tests and promotion of appropriate knowledge. ER -