Compliance of Bronchial Asthma Patients' with the Mediterranean Diet : Compliance with the Mediterranean Diet in Asthma Patients

Introduction: Asthma is considered the most common chronic disease that affects survival and quality of life. An astringent regulatory factor of asthma is the Mediterranean diet. Nutrition, however, seems to be of great importance in the onset and outcome of the disease as many ingredients and eating habits that may improve or exacerbate the condition of the patient.

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate dietary habits in patients with bronchial asthma and their compliance with the Mediterranean diet.

Material and methods: The study included 60 patients with bronchial asthma, 47 women (71% of the total) and 17 men (28.3%). All patients completed a questionnaire with sociodemographic questions, a medical history (years of diagnosis, exacerbations, hospitalizations, medication), and spirometry results (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, FEF25-75). Asthma control was evaluated with the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Conformity to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the MEDLIFE index (Mediterranean lifestyle) questionnaire. Statistical analysis of the data was done using the SPSS 23.0 statistical package by applying the Inductive Analysis, which included the Pearson correlation coefficient (r), the t-test for independent samples, and the variance analysis (one-way ANOVA).

Results: There was a significant negative correlation of last year hospitalizations with the MEDLIFE questionnaire scale (r = -0.522, p = 0.009) and a significant negative correlation of last year's exacerbations with the ACT scale. We observed a significant negative correlation of hospitalizations in the last year with the ACT scale (r = -0.505, p = 0.012) and a significant statistical relationship of long acting β2 agonist + steroid with the MEDLIFE scale (p = 0.046).

Conclusion: The level of compliance with the principles of the Mediterranean diet leads to a reduction in hospitalization. The optimal asthma control is associated with a reduction of exacerbations and asthma control is associated with reduced hospitalizations. Those receiving beta2 + steroid show higher levels of compliance with the principles of the Mediterranean diet.