• Joan B Soriano, Aina Yáñez, Feliu Renom, Mónica de la Peña, Amalia Gómez, Rosa Duro, Ana Uréndez, and Miguel Román.
• Program of Epidemiology and Clinical Research, CIMERA, Fundación Caubet-Cimera Illes Balears, Bunyola, Mallorca, Spain. jbsoriano@caubet-cimera.es
• Prim Care Respir J. 2010 Jun 1; 19 (2): 140-7.

AimsWe describe the set-up of a population-based study focussed on respiratory conditions, and describe a pilot study - the PULmons SAns Illes Balears (PULSAIB) study - aimed at investigating the natural history of COPD, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and other common chronic diseases.MethodsA cross-sectional study was designed to survey two fieldwork areas, one rural and one urban, in the Balearic Islands, Spain. Tests conducted included a questionnaire, spirometry with post-bronchodilator (PBD) test, and portable respiratory polygraphy.ResultsWe assessed all processes and tools to be used, and piloted them in 175 participants from Bunyola (rural) and 130 participants from the Son Pizà area (urban). Within this first cross-sectional assessment of the Balearic population aged 30 to 80 years, we report the prevalence of airflow limitation defined as a PBD FEV1/FVC ratio <0.7 and the prevalence of OSA defined as an apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) >10/hour.ConclusionA cohort study in the Balearic population to investigate the natural history of COPD and OSA is feasible.

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