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BACKGROUND: Limited studies have examined the implications of Second-Hand Smoke (SHS) on lung function; majority used traditional diagnostic lung function tests requiring forced respiratory manoeuvres. Aim of our study was to assess the immediate effects of exposure to SHS on the respiratory mechanics during tidal breathing. METHODS: 20 healthy non-smokers 18-45-years-old participated in four exposure sessions; 10 minutes in 250 μg/m³ PM2.5 (10/250), 20 minutes in 250 μg/m³ PM2.5 (20/250), 10 minutes in 500 μg/m³ PM2.5 (10/500) and 20 minutes in 500 μg/m³ PM2.5 (20/500). A pre and an immediately post exposure IOS measurement were obtained. Differences in Impulse Oscillometry (IOS) parameters pre and post exposure for each session were assessed with paired t-tests or Wilcoxon tests. Differences between exposure sessions were assessed with mixed linear models. Analysis was performed in Stata 14. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed in IOS parameters in all exposure sessions, with most changes observed in 10/500 and least in 20/500 session. Analysis between sessions showed significantly different results between 20/250 compared to 10/250 session in many IOS parameters, while 10/500 differed statistically significantly to 10/250 only in R10 inspiratory. CONCLUSIONS: Present study is the first to show that acute exposure of healthy non-smokers to SHS leads to alterations of resting breathing mechanics, successfully captured by IOS. Alterations were expressed by increased Resistance of peripheral and central airways, findings suggestive of a likely broncho-constrictive response to the irritative inhalant. A mild, linear effect of exposure duration was found, while no clear effect was observed for the level of exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bac kgro und. Since 2008 Greece has the highest smoking prevalence in Europe. With a limited number of outdated publications and a recent enforcement of the tobacco control policy, our study aimed to estimate the smoking prevalence in Greece, describe smokers' characteristics and the stance of the public towards the newly implemented law. Methods . Sample was representative of the adult Greek population according to sex and age based on national census data. Data collection took place on February 2020 using computer assisted telephone interviewing. Differences between groups were assessed with chi-squared tests. Analysis was performed in STATA 13. Res ults . 1976 adults participated in the survey, 48% male and 52% female. Smoking prevalence was 28%. Men presented a slightly higher smoking prevalence (29%) vs women (28%) and a higher exsmoking prevalence (36% vs 29%), women presented a higher neversmoking prevalence (40% vs 34%), differences highly statistically significant (p=0.003). Statistically significant differences (p<0.001) were observed between ages, with highest smoking prevalence in 35-44-year-olds (36%) and lowest in 65+ year-olds (15%). History of smoking cessation was higher in men (67%) than women (59%), differences highly statistically significant (p=0.03). 32% of smokers reported a decreased use following the tobacco control law enforcement, 4% an increased use while for 64% remained the same. Finally, 85% believed adherence to the law was observed in public places. Concl usions . Smoking prevalence has declined in Greece and an impressive adherence to the tobacco law was observed. Sex and age differences were observed, indicating that tobacco control policies should be tailored to different subgroups' needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bac kgro und: The present study assessed the immediate respiratory effects of water-pipe smoking (WPS) specifically focusing on tidal breathing examining Impulse Oscillometry (IOS), Control of Breathing (CoB) and exhaled CO (eCO) among young healthy adults. Metho ds: A cross-over study design with sample size of 50 young healthy smokers was used. All measurements were taken immediately pre and post a Control and Experimental session. Repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) and log-transformations were used for comparisons between pre-post and sessions. Significance was set to p<0.05. Res ults : During the Experimental session, TI/TE, TI/Ttot (p<0.001), P0.1 (p=0.005) and P0.1/(VT/TI) (p=0.021) increased significantly while TE/Ttot decreased (p=0.003) post WPS. IOS parameters ?5, R5, R10, R20 and fdr all increased significantly immediately post WPS (p<0.001) as did eCO and COHb (p<0.001). Concl usion : A 30-minute session of WPS altered respiratory mechanics expressed by the increased large and peripheral airways resistance, control of breathing expressed by increased P0.1 and modified the tidal breathing pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Non-compliance with smoking bans in Greece leave children exposed to secondhand smoke. The current study summarized teachers’ smoking prevalence, compliance and attitudes towards smoking bans. METHODS: A multi-stage sampling design collected data from teachers in Attica, Greece. A secondary source of national data to represent a matching sample of the general population (GP) was used for comparison. Teacher responses were compared by smoking status using logistic regression. To compare teachers and the GP, a binomial proportion test was used and a χ2 and Fishers test between modalities, with p set to <0.05 for all results. RESULTS: 647 educators and 1,678 respondents for the GP ages 25- 67 years old residing in Attica, were included. Smoking prevalence among teachers was 26.4%, which was significantly lower than the GP prevalence at 39.7% (p<0.001). Daily smoking prevalence was significantly lower among teachers (p<0.001) compared to the GP. 25.8% of teachers reported complete compliance with smoke-free policies at their school. Teachers who smoked were less likely to report recently teaching their class about smoking (p=0.006) than nonsmokers. A majority of teachers agreed and would volunteer with educational programs aimed at reducing smoking among their students. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of smoking among teachers in Attica was significantly lower than in the general population and their attitudes were proactive towards implementation of smoking bans in public places in Greece. Compliance with the smoking ban on school grounds could be improved by training teachers on the school policy and protocol regarding smoking on school grounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Prevention of seasonal influenza is the most effective public health intervention to control epidemics, largely dependent on influenza vaccination coverage rates (VCRs). The current study aimed to summarize characteristics of VCRs in the general population and among vulnerable populations in Greece. METHODS: Data from the Hellenic Statistical Authority Health Information Survey in 2009 (n=6,172) and 2014 (n=8,223) was analyzed using weighted sample size for VCRs in the general population as well as a sub-analysis for vulnerable populations for those with chronic disease and predictive models for those over 60 years of age. A two-samples proportion test, logistic regression and Walds test with p-value threshold <0.05 were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: VCRs from 2009 to 2014 increased significantly (p <0.05) by 9.8% in the Greek population. Those with asthma and COPD younger than age 60 showed lower VCRs than the older age group and those with hypertension, diabetes and back problems had significant (p <0.05) increased VCRs from 2009 to 2014. In addition, among those over 60 years of age, factors associated with being vaccinated included having a chronic illness, health status, last doctor's visit, education and geographical location while smoking status was associated with not being vaccinated. CONCLUSION: In a country that faces a prolonged economic crisis, prevention is key to relieving the burden. Influenza vaccination is the only cost-effective and preventive measure to control flu epidemics. It could be extremely beneficial to invest in communication strategies to increase VCRs and prevent disease, as opposed to managing expensive and devastating epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a literature review of the theoretical principles which frame the two widely used techniques of forced oscillations applied to the respiratory system, forced oscillation technique (FOT) and impulse oscillometry (IOS). The effect of forced oscillations on the respiratory system is investigated as a phenomenon of motion expressed as changes of pressure, volume, flow and acceleration in the classical mathematical approach to a linear system which, under the pressure of a stimulating force, is impelled into forced oscillation. The physiology of respiratory input impedance is presented as a parameter which describes the correlations between pressure, volume, flow, elastance, resistance and inertia of the respiratory system. The principles of basic practice for test completion are described, and the epidemiological factors which form the framework for the evaluation of the measurements, derived from research in healthy adults, are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]