2.5. Patients, Protocol and Training
cough, wheeze, asthma, COPD
COPD, RECRUITMENT, ASTHMA
The study population consisted of 60 patients (30 asthma and 30 COPD patients) in Czechia (30 patients), Ireland (10 patients) and Spain (20 patients). Each patient visited their local national study centre on two occasions. During the first visit, the study was explained to each participant, both in written (information sheet) and oral communication. They completed a recruitment questionnaire to ascertain personal smoking status, other sources of exposure, average weekly attendance and SHS exposure in hospitality premises and the experience of respiratory symptoms. All consented patients were trained in the use of monitoring equipment.Diary cards were demonstrated and explained to the patients, and they were asked to fill in details at the first visit: medication consumed, any symptoms (e.g., cough, wheeze), doctor or hospital visits, exposure to SHS and the number of cigarettes smoked (if any).Diary card entries were also made on the day of the exposure and included a description of the premises visited, number of smokers present during exposure time, as well as any change in their use of medication required during the 24 h period or unscheduled visits to the hospital or doctor.The participants were also asked to note the time and date when the exposure to SHS occurred in outside areas.