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- Leander, Mai, 1953-, et al.
(author)
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Determinants for a low health-related quality of life in asthmatics
- 2012
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In: Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences. - : Uppsala Medical Society. - 0300-9734 .- 2000-1967. ; 117:1, s. 57-66
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- People with asthma suffer from impaired health-related quality of life (HRQL) but the determinants of HRQL among asthmatics are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to study determinants of low HRQL in asthmatics and to study whether the determinants of HRQL differ between sexes and age groups. A cohort of three age groups in Sweden was investigated in 1990 using a respiratory questionnaire. To study quality of life, the generic instrument Gothenburg Quality of Life was used. The participants were also investigated with interviews, spirometry and allergy testing. Asthma was diagnosed in 616 subjects. Fifty-eight percent (n=359) of the subjects were women. Twenty-four percent were smokers, 22% ex-smokers and 54% were non-smokers. Women were more likely than men to report poor health-related quality of life. Respiratory symptoms severity was another independent determinant of a lower quality of life as well as airway responsiveness to irritants. Current and former smokers also reported lower quality of life. Finally, absenteeism from school and work was associated with lower quality of life. Factors such as sex, smoking habits, airway responsiveness to irritants, respiratory symptom severity, allergy, and absenteeism from school and work were associated with low HRQL in asthmatics.
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| 2. |
- Leander, Mai, et al.
(author)
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Impact of anxiety and depression on respiratory symptoms
- 2014
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In: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 108:11, s. 1594-1600
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Psychological factors such as anxiety and depression are prevalent in patients with asthma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between respiratory symptoms and psychological status and to estimate the importance of psychological status in comparison with other factors that are known to be associated with respiratory symptoms. This study included 2270 subjects aged 20-44 (52% female) from Sweden, Iceland, and Norway. Each participant underwent a clinical interview including questions on respiratory symptoms. Spirometry and methacholine challenge were performed. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Eighty-two percent of the subjects reported no anxiety or depression whatsoever, 11% reported anxiety, 2.5% depression and 4% reported both anxiety and depression. All respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, breathlessness and nightly symptoms, were more common, at a statistically significant level, in participants who had depression and anxiety, even after adjusting for confounders (ORs 1.33-1.94). The HADS score was the most important determinant for nightly symptoms and attacks of breathlessness when at rest whereas bronchial responsiveness was the most important determinant for wheezing, and breathlessness when wheezing. The probability of respiratory symptoms related to HADS score increased with increasing HADS score for all respiratory symptoms. In conclusion, there is a strong association between respiratory symptoms and psychological status. There is therefore a need for interventional studies designed to improve depression and anxiety in patients with respiratory symptoms. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 3. |
- Uddenfeldt, Monica, et al.
(author)
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High BMI is related to higher incidence of asthma, while a fish and fruit diet is related to a lower : - Results from a long-term follow-up study of three age groups in Sweden
- 2010
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In: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 104:7, s. 972-980
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The causes of the worldwide increase in asthma seen during the last decades remain largely unexplained, but lifestyle and diet are suggested to play important roles. In this follow up of a large-scale population sample in Sweden, we wanted to identify modifiable risk factors for the cumulative incidence over a 13-year follow-up period.In 1990, a self-administered questionnaire was completed by 12,560 individuals from three age groups (16, 30–39 and 60–69 years of age) in two counties of Sweden. In 2003, the eligible subjects (n = 11,282) were sent a new postal questionnaire.In total 8150 (response rate 73%) answered the questionnaire. The prevalence of asthma in 2003 had increased in all ages. In the young adults, the asthma prevalence rose from 11.3% in 1990 to 25.0% in 2003. Adult asthma onset was identified in 791 of the participants. Smoking [RR (95% CI) = 1.37 (1.12–1.68)], BMI [1.49 (1.25–1.77 per inter quartile range)], and nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) [2.16 (1.72–2.72)] were significant independent risk factors for the cumulative incidence of asthma. The impact of risk factors differed between the age groups where BMI and GOR had a significantly higher impact in the middle aged and the elderly (p < 0.05). High consumption of fruit and fish was protective especially in the elderly [0.52 (0.35–0.77)]. No significant difference was found in the impact of risk factors between men and women.Weight loss, smoking cessation and a diet rich in fruit and fish may be of importance in preventing onset of adult asthma.
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