| 1. |
- Ahlroth Pind, Caroline, et al.
(författare)
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Patient-reported signs of dampness at home may be a risk factor for chronic rhinosinusitis : A cross-sectional study
- 2017
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Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - Hoboken : Wiley. - 0954-7894 .- 1365-2222. ; 47:11, s. 1383-1389
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: An association between dampness at home and respiratory conditions has been convincingly demonstrated in children. Fewer studies have been performed in adults, and data are lacking for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). With a prevalence of 10.9% in Europe, CRS imposes a significant burden on quality of life, as well as economy.OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to study CRS and other respiratory conditions in relation to dampness at home in a representative sample of adults.METHODS: The Swedish GA2 LEN questionnaire was answered by 26 577 adults (16-75 years) and included questions on respiratory symptoms, smoking, education and environmental exposure. CRS was defined according to the EP3 OS criteria. Dampness was defined as reporting water damage, floor dampness or visible moulds in the home during the last 12 months. The dampness score was ranked from 0 to 3, counting the number of signs of dampness reported.RESULTS: Dampness at home was reported by 11.3% and was independently related to respiratory conditions after adjustment for demographic and socio-economic factors and smoking: CRS odds ratio (OR) 1.71; allergic rhinitis OR 1.24; current asthma OR 1.21; wheeze OR 1.37; nocturnal dyspnoea OR 1.80; nocturnal coughing OR 1.34; and chronic bronchitis OR 1.64. The risk of CRS and most of the other respiratory conditions was further elevated in subjects reporting multiple signs of dampness.CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study demonstrated an independent association between dampness at home and CRS in adults. The high burden of this and the other respiratory conditions studied is a strong argument in favour of countering indoor dampness by improving building standards.
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| 2. |
- Al-Shamkhi, Nasrin, et al.
(författare)
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Important non-disease-related determinants of exhaled nitric oxide levels in mild asthma – results from the Swedish GA2LEN study
- 2016
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Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - : Wiley. - 0954-7894 .- 1365-2222. ; 46:9, s. 1185-1193
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) has a potential clinical role in asthma management. Constitutive factors such as age, height and gender, as well as individual characteristics, such as IgE sensitization and smoking, affect the levels of FeNO in population-based studies. However, their effect on FeNO in subjects with asthma has been scarcely studied. Objective: To study the effects on FeNO of these commonly regarded determinants, as demonstrated in healthy subjects, as well as menarche age and parental smoking, in a population of asthmatics. Material and Methods: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide was measured in 557 subjects with asthma from the Swedish GA2LEN study. Allergic sensitization was assessed by skin prick tests to most common aeroallergens. Upper airway comorbidities, smoking habits, smoking exposure during childhood and hormonal status (for women) were questionnaire-assessed. Results: Male gender (P < 0.001), greater height (P < 0.001) and sensitization to both perennial allergens and pollen (P < 0.001) are related to higher FeNO levels. Current smoking (P < 0.001) and having both parents smoking during childhood, vs. having neither (P < 0.001) or only one parent smoking (P = 0.002), are related to lower FeNO. Women with menarche between 9 and 11 years of age had lower FeNO than those with menarche between 12 and 14 years of age (P = 0.03) or 15 and 17 years of age (P = 0.003). Conclusions and Clinical relevance: Interpreting FeNO levels in clinical practice is complex, and constitutional determinants, as well as smoking and IgE sensitisation, are of importance in asthmatic subjects and should be accounted for when interpreting FeNO levels. Furthermore, menarche age and parental smoking during childhood and their effects on lowering FeNO deserve further studies. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
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| 3. |
- Blöndal, Viiu, et al.
(författare)
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Multimorbidity in asthma, association with allergy, inflammatory markers and symptom burden, results from the Swedish GA2LEN study
- 2021
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Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - : Wiley. - 0954-7894 .- 1365-2222. ; 51:2, s. 262-272
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Asthma is common worldwide and a large part of subjects with asthma have concomitant allergic multimorbidity in the form of rhinitis and/or eczema. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate whether the presence of allergic multimorbidity in asthma relates to allergic sensitization, allergic and respiratory symptoms, quality of life, inflammatory markers, lung function, use of medication and background factors. Methods: A total of 437 asthmatics from the (GA2LEN) cross-sectional survey in Sweden were grouped depending on the presence of rhinitis and/or eczema. The impact of allergic multimorbidity was assessed in terms of allergic sensitization, allergic and respiratory symptoms, quality of life, type-2 inflammatory markers (exhaled nitric oxide, eosinophil activation markers, periostin), lung function, use of medication and background factors. Results: Subjects with asthma, rhinitis and eczema were more likely to be sensitized to seasonal allergens (67% vs 32%, P <.001), food allergens (54% vs 18%, P <.001) and to have a higher degree of sensitization than subjects with only asthma (23% vs 10%, P <.001). Subjects with allergic multimorbidity more often had allergic reactions to food (28% vs 10%, P =.002), more respiratory symptoms and anxiety/depression (40% vs, 14%, P <.001) than subjects with only asthma, despite having similar levels of type 2 inflammatory markers. Individuals with allergic multimorbidity were more likely to be diagnosed with asthma before the age of 12 (48% vs 27%, P =.016) and to have maternal heredity for allergy (53% vs 33%, P =.011) than subjects with only asthma. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Asthmatics with allergic multimorbidity are more likely to be sensitized to seasonal aeroallergens, food allergens and they have a higher degree of sensitization compared with those with only asthma. Allergic multimorbidity is associated with respiratory and allergy symptoms, anxiety and/or depression. © 2020 The Authors. Clinical & Experimental Allergy published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
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| 4. |
- Ek, A., et al.
(författare)
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Chronic rhinosinusitis in asthma is a negative predictor of quality of life: results from the Swedish GA(2)LEN survey
- 2013
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Ingår i: Allergy. - : Wiley. - 0105-4538 .- 1398-9995. ; 68:10, s. 1314-1321
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundAsthma and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) both impair quality of life, but the quality-of-life impact of comorbid asthma and CRS is poorly known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of CRS and other relevant factors on quality of life in asthmatic subjects. MethodsThis Swedish cohort (age 17-76years) consists of 605 well-characterized asthmatics with and without CRS, 110 individuals with CRS only, and 226 controls and is part of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN) survey. The Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (mAQLQ), the Euro Quality of Life (EQ-5D) health questionnaire, spirometry, skin prick test (SPT), exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), smell test, and peak nasal inspiratory flow were used. ResultsSubjects having both asthma and CRS have lower mAQLQ scores in all domains (P<0.001) and a lower EQ-5D index value and EQ-5D VAS value (P<0.001) compared to those with asthma only. Asthmatics with CRS have significantly lower FEV1%pred and FVC%pred (88.4 [85.1-91.7] and 99.9 [96.7-103.0], respectively) compared with asthma only (91.9 [90.3-93.4] and 104.0 [102.5-105.5], respectively P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis shows that low asthma quality of life is associated with having CRS (P<0.0001), lower lung function (P=0.008), current smoking (P=0.01), BMI>30kg/m(2) (P=0.04), high age (P=0.03), and a negative SPT (P=0.04). ConclusionsComorbid CRS was a significant and independent negative predictor of quality of life in asthmatics. Other negative factors were lower lung function, current smoking, obesity, advanced age, and having nonatopic asthma.
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| 5. |
- James, A., et al.
(författare)
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Serum periostin relates to type-2 inflammation and lung function in asthma : Data from the large population-based cohort Swedish GA(2)LEN
- 2017
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Ingår i: Allergy. European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0105-4538 .- 1398-9995. ; 72:11, s. 1753-1760
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundPeriostin has been suggested as a novel, phenotype-specific biomarker for asthma driven by type 2 inflammation. However, large studies examining relationships between circulating periostin and patient characteristics are lacking and the suitability of periostin as a biomarker in asthma remains unclear.AimTo examine circulating periostin in healthy controls and subjects with asthma from the general population with different severity and treatment profiles, both with and without chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), in relation to other biomarkers and clinical characteristics.MethodsSerum periostin was examined by ELISA in 1100 subjects aged 17-76 from the Swedish Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN) study, which included 463 asthmatics with/without chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), 98 individuals with CRS only, and 206 healthy controls. Clinical tests included measurement of lung function, Fraction of exhaled NO (FeNO), IgE, urinary eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (U-EDN), and serum eosinophil cationic protein (S-ECP), as well as completion of questionnaires regarding respiratory symptoms, medication, and quality of life.ResultsAlthough median periostin values showed no differences when comparing disease groups with healthy controls, multiple regression analyses revealed that periostin was positively associated with higher FeNO, U-EDN, and total IgE. In patients with asthma, an inverse relationship with lung function was also observed. Current smoking was associated with decreased periostin levels, whereas increased age and lower body mass index (BMI) related to higher periostin levels in subjects both with and without asthma.ConclusionWe confirm associations between periostin and markers of type 2 inflammation, as well as lung function, and identify novel constitutional factors of importance to the use of periostin as a phenotype-specific biomarker in asthma.
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| 6. |
- Jerning, C., et al.
(författare)
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Asthma and physical activity - A population based study results from the Swedish GA(2)LEN survey
- 2013
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Ingår i: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 107:11, s. 1651-1658
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Having asthma has in previous reports been related to a lower physical activity level. At the same time the prevalence of asthma among elite athletes is high. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between physical activity level and asthma. Methods: A postal questionnaire was completed by 25,610 individuals in Sweden. Current asthma was defined as having had an asthma attack during the last 12 months or current use of asthma medication. The participants were asked how often and for how many hours a week they were physically active. Results: In the population 1830 subjects (7.1%) had current asthma. There was no significant difference in the proportion of subjects that reported being inactive or slightly physically active between asthmatic and non-asthmatics (57 vs. 58%) while the proportion of subjects that were vigorously physically active (>= 2 times a week and >= 7 h per week) was higher among the subjects with asthma (6.7 vs. 4.8%, p < 0.0001). Being vigorously physically active was independently related to current asthma (OR (95% CI)) 1.40 (1.11-1.77)), wheeze (1.39 (1.17-1.65)), wheeze and breathlessness (1.68 (1.38-2.04)), and wheezing without having a cold (1.39 (1.13-1.71)). The association between being vigorously physically active and wheeze was significantly stronger in women compared to men. Conclusions: There was no difference in the proportion of subjects with a reported low level of physical activity between asthmatics and non-asthmatics. Health care professionals should, however, be aware of the increased prevalence of asthma and asthma-related symptoms in vigorously physically active subjects. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 7. |
- Kallin, S. A., et al.
(författare)
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Excessive daytime sleepiness in asthma: What are the risk factors?
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Asthma. - Abingdon : Informa UK Limited. - 0277-0903 .- 1532-4303. ; 55:8, s. 844-850
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Previous studies have found that excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a more common problem in asthmatic subjects than in the general population. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the prevalence of EDS is increased in asthmatic subjects and, if so, to analyse the occurrence of potential risk factors for EDS in asthmatics. Methods: Cross-sectional epidemiological study. In 2008, a postal questionnaire was sent out to a random sample of 45,000 individuals aged 16-75 years in four Swedish cities. Results: Of the 25,160 persons who participated, 7.3% were defined as having asthma. The prevalence of EDS was significantly higher in asthmatic subjects (42.1% vs. 28.5%, p < 0.001) compared with non-asthmatic subjects. Asthma was an independent risk factor for EDS (adjusted OR 1.29) and the risk of having EDS increased with asthma severity. Risk factors for EDS in subjects with asthma included insomnia (OR, 3.87; 95% CI, 3.10-4.84); chronic rhinosinusitis (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.53-2.62); current smoking (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.15-2.22) and obesity (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.09-2.13). Conclusions: EDS is a common problem among subjects with asthma. Asthma is an independent risk factor for having EDS. Furthermore, subjects with asthma often have other risk factors for EDS, many of them potentially modifiable.
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| 8. |
- Kämpe, Mary, 1956-, et al.
(författare)
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Upper airway and skin symptoms in allergic and non-allergic asthma: Results from the Swedish GA(2)LEN study
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Asthma. - Abingdon : Informa UK Limited. - 0277-0903 .- 1532-4303. ; 55:3, s. 275-283
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Allergic and non-allergic asthma are viewed as separate entities, despite sharing similarities. The aims of this study were to determine differences in symptoms from the upper airways and the skin in allergic and non-allergic asthma. The secondary aims were to identify childhood risk factors and to compare quality of life in the two asthma groups. Methods: This cohort (age 17-76years) consisted of 575 subjects with allergic or non-allergic asthma and 219 controls. The participants participated in an interview, spirometry, FeNO, skin prick test, and responded to the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results: Self-reported allergic rhinitis was significantly more common in both allergic and non-allergic asthma (82.3 and 40.7%) groups compared with the controls. The prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) was similar in both asthma groups. Eczema was significantly more common in both asthmatic groups (72.3 and 59.8%) than controls (47.0%) (p < 0.001 and p = 0.012). Severe respiratory infection in childhood and parental allergy were risk factors for both allergic and non-allergic asthma groups. Quality of life was significantly lower in non-allergic than allergic asthma groups (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Concomitant symptoms from the upper airways and the skin were significantly more common in both allergic and non-allergic asthma. This indicates that non-allergic asthma has a systemic component with similarities to what is found in allergic asthma. There were similarities in the childhood risk factor pattern between the two types of asthma but asthma-related quality of life was lower in the non-allergic asthma group.
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| 9. |
- Mindus, Stephanie, et al.
(författare)
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Asthma and COPD overlap (ACO) is related to a high burden of sleep disturbance and respiratory symptoms: Results from the RHINE and Swedish GA(2)LEN surveys
- 2018
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Ingår i: Plos One. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 13:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The term Asthma and COPD Overlap (ACO) describes a condition where asthma and COPD overlap. We aimed to investigate associations between ACO and insomnia and respiratory symptoms, and to investigate the prevalence of ACO and the characteristics of subjects with ACO in two Northern European population studies. The study comprised 25 429 subjects aged >40 years who participated in one of two Northern European general population surveys. Both surveys included questions on asthma, COPD, respiratory and sleep-related symptoms, including difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, early-morning awakening, and excessive daytime sleepiness. ACO was defined as having both self-reported asthma and COPD. The prevalence of ACO was 1.0%. The group with ACO had a higher prevalence of both insomnia and respiratory symptoms than subjects with only asthma or COPD. Having ACO was independently associated with a 2-3 times higher probability of having sleep-related symptoms as compared with the group without asthma or COPD, after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, smoking history and educational level (adjusted odds ratio 2.14-3.36, 95% CI). Subjects with ACO have a high prevalence of insomnia and respiratory symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the association between sleep-related symptoms and ACO.
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| 10. |
- Patelis, Antonios, et al.
(författare)
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IgE sensitization to food allergens and airborne allergens in relation to biomarkers of type 2 inflammation in asthma
- 2018
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Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0954-7894 .- 1365-2222. ; 48:9, s. 1147-1154
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: We have recently reported that sensitisation to food allergens and sensitisation to airborne allergens had independent associations with increased fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and blood eosinophils in middle-aged adults and in young subjects with asthma.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between IgE sensitisation and several type 2 inflammation biomarkers in adult asthmatics.METHODS: FeNO, urinary eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (U-EDN), serum eosinophil cationic protein (S-ECP) and periostin were measured in 396 asthmatics, aged 17-76 years, from the Swedish GA2LEN study. Sensitisation to airborne allergens was examined with skin prick tests (≥3 mm wheal) and sensitisation to food allergens with measurement of specific IgE (≥0.35kU/L).RESULTS: Asthmatics sensitised to food allergens had higher FeNO, 22.3 ppb (18.6, 26.7) vs. 16.1 ppb (14.2, 18.2) (p=0.005), S-ECP, 17.7 mg/L (14.8, 21.1) vs. 12.8 mg/L (10.9, 14.9) (p=0.01), and periostin, 73.7 (67.5, 80.3) ng/mL vs. 59.9 (55.8, 64.2) ng/mL (p=0.003), than non-sensitised subjects. Periostin levels in this group were also significantly higher than in the group sensitised only to airborne allergens (p=0.01). Sensitisation to food allergens related independently to FeNO (p=0.02), S-ECP (p=0.006) and periostin (p=0.004), whereas sensitisation only to airborne allergens related only to FeNO (p=0.02) after adjustments for age, sex, height, weight and smoking history. FeNO correlated weakly with S-ECP (r=0.17, p<0.001), periostin (r=0.19, p<0.001) and U-EDN (0.16, p<0.001). S-ECP also correlated weakly with U-EDN (r=0.12, p=0.02). None of the correlations between the remaining pairs of markers of type 2 inflammation were significant.CONCLUSIONS & CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Sensitisation to food allergens related to several local and systemic type 2 inflammation markers, such as FeNO, S-ECP and periostin. Assessing the profile of allergic sensitisation, including to food allergens, might improve the understanding and interpretation of inflammatory markers and potentially improve asthma management.
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