Progetto GEIRD (Gene-Environment Interaction in Respiratory Diseases): la qualità della vita nei soggetti con BPCO, asma e rinite nella popolazione generale.

Starting date
November 29, 2011
Duration (months)
24
Departments
Diagnostics and Public Health
Managers or local contacts
Zanolin Maria Elisabetta

This study aims at investigating HRQoL in several resipiratory disorders simultaneously.
Study design: Genes Environment Interaction in Respiratory Diseases (GEIRD) project is an ongoing multicentre multicase-control study . In Stage 1, a screening questionnaire (SQ) was administered to random samples or pre-existing cohorts (ISAYA; ECRHS Italy) from the general population (20-64 yrs). In Stage 2, “probable cases” of asthma, chronic bronchitis (CB), rhinitis, and “probable controls” are invited to clinics to be phenotyped as cases or controls. HRQoL is measured through SF-36. The generic version 1.6 is part of the GEIRD core protocol and is self-administered by all subjects.
The Physical (PCS) and Mental (MCS) Component Summary measures is going to be computed as recommended by the developers.
Respiratory conditions are defined as follows:
COPD: Post-BDL FEV1/FVC < LLN (lower limit of normal) or < 70%;
Current Asthma: ever asthma; or plus asthmatic symptoms or asthma drugs consumption in the last year. Alternatively, positive clinical test: methacholine test (PD20 < 1mg) or pre-BDL FEV1/FVC < LLN or < 70% plus positive reversibility test);
Past Asthma: ever asthma BUT no symptoms/asthma drugs;
Other Chronic Respiratory Conditions (ORC): not a case of COPD or asthma plus chronic (>3 months/year for at least 2 years) cough or phlegm. Alternatively, doctor-diagnosed chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD. Alternatively, hospital admission/emergency room visit for respiratory problem in the last year. Alternatively, daily wheezing;
Allergic Rhinitis (AR) and Non Allergic Rhinitis (NAR): nasal allergies or nasal problems in the presence of animal, pollens, dust  plus negative (NAR) or positive (AR) skin prick test;
Controls: no nasal/respiratory symptoms conditions reported in the questionnaire nor in clinic.
Association between HRQoL, measured through PCS and MCS scores, and the phenotypes (disease phenotype vs. control) was studied using quantile regression models, adjusting for the following covariates:
gender, age, BMI (Kg/m2), smoking habits (never, ex and current smokers), educational level (low vs high), non-respiratory comorbidities and cardiac comorbidities;
study cohort and calendar period (design covariates).
Risultati attesi (Max 20 righe)
To our knowledge for the first time, it will be possible to perform a direct and simultaneous comparison of quality of life in several respiratory disorders. We expect that subjects who suffers from respiratory diseases have a poorer HRQL than healthy controls, but it is unknown to how much these differences will amount and to which extent PCS and MCS respectively will be involved.

Sponsors:

Ateneo
Funds: assigned and managed by the department
Syllabus: RICATENEO - Finanziamenti d'Ateneo per la Ricerca Scientifica

Project participants

Maria Elisabetta Zanolin
Associate Professor

Activities

Research facilities

Share