Adherence to Mediterranean diet and asthma control. Results from a small study among asthmatic patients in Greece.

Objectives: Current variations in asthma prevalence and clinical characteristics suggest that lifestyle choices including dietary habits, may affect the pathogenesis and/or clinical expression of the disease. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD) and asthma control, considering disease severity.

Methods: Adherence to MD was assessed through a questionnaire, the MD Adherence Screener (MEDAS), previously validated in Mediterranean populations. Each participant received a score ranging from 0 to 14. A score higher than 10 indicates high MD adherence. The level of asthma control was assessed by the Asthma Control Test and two groups were formed (controlled vs. partly controlled/uncontrolled).

Results: The study sample included 105 participants (34% males). About 45% of participants were severe asthmatics. Adherence to MD was associated with 14% higher, though not statistically significant, probability of controlled asthma in the overall study sample (OR = 1.14; 95% CI = 0.46-2.81) and 60% higher probability of controlled asthma among severe asthmatics (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 0.46-5.59).

Conclusions: These results indicate a possible association between adherence to MD and asthma control, but findings are restricted by the study's small sample size which does not allow asserting the inference.