| 1. |
- Ahlroth Pind, Caroline, et al.
(författare)
-
Patient-reported signs of dampness at home may be a risk factor for chronic rhinosinusitis : A cross-sectional study
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - Hoboken : Wiley. - 0954-7894 .- 1365-2222. ; 47:11, s. 1383-1389
-
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.
|
|
| 2. |
- Amin, H., et al.
(författare)
-
Indoor Airborne Microbiome and Endotoxin: Meteorological Events and Occupant Characteristics Are Important Determinants
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Environmental Science and Technology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0013-936X .- 1520-5851. ; 57:32, s. 11750-11766
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Minimal research exists onthe factors influencing the indoorbacterial community. Despite their proposed importance for health,here we report environmental factors influencing the composition ofthe indoor bacterial communities. Airborne bacteria and endotoxin may affect asthma andallergies.However, there is limited understanding of the environmental determinantsthat influence them. This study investigated the airborne microbiomesin the homes of 1038 participants from five cities in Northern Europe:Aarhus, Bergen, Reykjavik, Tartu, and Uppsala. Airborne dust particleswere sampled with electrostatic dust fall collectors (EDCs) from theparticipants' bedrooms. The dust washed from the EDCs'clothes was used to extract DNA and endotoxin. The DNA extracts wereused for quantitative polymerase chain (qPCR) measurement and 16SrRNA gene sequencing, while endotoxin was measured using the kineticchromogenic limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. The results showedthat households in Tartu and Aarhus had a higher bacterial load anddiversity than those in Bergen and Reykjavik, possibly due to elevatedconcentrations of outdoor bacterial taxa associated with low precipitationand high wind speeds. Bergen-Tartu had the highest difference (ANOSIM R = 0.203) in & beta; diversity. Multivariate regressionmodels showed that & alpha; diversity indices and bacterial and endotoxinloads were positively associated with the occupants' age, numberof occupants, cleaning frequency, presence of dogs, and age of thehouse. Further studies are needed to understand how meteorologicalfactors influence the indoor bacterial community in light of climatechange.
|
|
| 3. |
- Högman, Marieann, et al.
(författare)
-
Added value with extended NO analysis in atopy and asthma
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging. - 1475-0961 .- 1475-097X. ; 31:4, s. 294-299
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Assessments of the usefulness of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) in the treatment of asthma have given conflicting results. It is not always obvious if atopic status has been tested in these evaluations. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to use extended NO analysis to characterize subjects from a random sample populations with focus on rhinitis and asthma. METHODS: Data were extracted from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II. A subgroup from the Uppsala site that had had their NO measured at multiple flow rates was included (n = 284). The nonlinear model for NO parameters was used. Atopy was defined as having a titre against at least one of the tested allergens ≥0·35 kU l(-1) . Bronchial responsiveness was assessed by methacholine challenge. RESULTS: Subjects with non-atopic rhinitis or non-atopic asthma could not be separated from healthy subjects regarding NO parameters. There was a gradual increase with atopy in airway diffusion rate (D(aw) NO); healthy subject 8·0 (7·3, 8·8), healthy atopic 8·8 (6·7, 11·5), atopic rhinitis 10·6 (9·0, 12·4) and atopic asthma 11·2 (9·9, 28·3) ml s(-1) [geometrical mean (CI(95%) )]. There was a correlation between bronchial responsiveness and D(aw) NO in atopic rhinitis (r = -0·41, P<0·01), and bronchial responsiveness and airway wall content of NO (C(aw) NO) in atopic asthma (r = -0·56, P<0·001). CONCLUSION: It is of importance to characterize atopic status when evaluating the association between NO and asthma. Our results indicate that the use of extended NO analysis, with particular attention to D(aw) NO and C(aw) NO, may be useful in monitoring treatment for rhinitis and asthma.
|
|
| 4. |
- Kisiel, Marta, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
-
The risk of respiratory tract infections and antibiotic use in a general population and among people with asthma
- 2021
-
Ingår i: ERJ Open Research. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 2312-0541. ; 7:4
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim The aim of this study was to investigate occupational, environmental, early life and other risk factors associated with respiratory infections and antibiotics use in a general population and among asthmatic individuals. Method This study included 15842 participants of the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) study aged 25–54 years from five Nordic countries, who answered a questionnaire covering respiratory outcomes, exposures, demographic characteristics and numbers of infections and courses of antibiotics in the last 12 months. Multiple logistic regression with and without adjustment for age, sex, smoking status, body mass index and centre were used to study the risk of infection and antibiotics in relation to asthma, and also the association between infection and antibiotics and occupations. Results In the whole population, 11.6% reported having three or more respiratory infections, and 14.7% had used antibiotics because of respiratory tract infections within the last year. Asthmatic participants reported tripled odds for such infections (adjusted OR 2.98, 95% CI 2.53–3.52) and antibiotics use (adjusted OR 3.67, 95% CI 3.18–4.24) as compared to non-asthmatic participants. Both in the general and the asthmatic population, female sex, obesity and exposure to building dampness were associated with respiratory infections. Female sex and current smoking and living in Tartu were associated with antibiotic use. The use of antibiotics was doubled in people hospitalised for severe respiratory infection in childhood. Conclusion In this study we identified several factors associated with increased respiratory infections and use of antibiotics in a general population and among asthmatic individuals. The frequency of respiratory infections and subsequent antibiotic treatment were increased among those with asthma. © The authors 2021.
|
|
| 5. |
- Malinovschi, Andrei, et al.
(författare)
-
Both allergic and nonallergic asthma are associated with increased FENO levels, but only in never-smokers
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Allergy. European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0105-4538 .- 1398-9995. ; 64:1, s. 55-61
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Allergic asthma is consistently associated with increased FENO levels whereas divergence exists regarding the use of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) as marker of inflammation in nonallergic asthma and in asthmatic smokers. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of having allergic or nonallergic asthma on exhaled nitric oxide levels, with special regard to smoking history. Exhaled NO measurements were performed in 695 subjects from Turin (Italy), Gothenburg and Uppsala (both Sweden). Current asthma was defined as self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma with at least one asthma symptom or attack recorded during the last year. Allergic status was defined by using measurements of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE). Smoking history was questionnaire-assessed. Allergic asthma was associated with 91 (60, 128) % [mean (95% CI)] increase of FENO while no significant association was found for nonallergic asthma [6 (-17, 35) %] in univariate analysis, when compared to nonatopic healthy subjects. In a multivariate analysis for never-smokers, subjects with allergic asthma had 77 (27, 145) % higher FENO levels than atopic healthy subjects while subjects with nonallergic asthma had 97 (46, 166) % higher FENO levels than nonatopic healthy subjects. No significant asthma-related FENO increases were noted for ex- and current smokers in multivariate analysis. Both allergic and nonallergic asthma are related to increased FENO levels, but only in never-smoking subjects. The limited value of FENO to detect subjects with asthma among ex- and current smokers suggests the predominance of a noneosinophilic inflammatory phenotype of asthma among ever-smokers.
|
|
| 6. |
- Malinovschi, Andrei, 1978-, et al.
(författare)
-
Bronchial Responsiveness Is Related to Increased Exhaled NO (FENO) in Non-Smokers and Decreased FENO in Smokers
- 2012
-
Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 7:4, s. e35725-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- RationaleBoth atopy and smoking are known to be associated with increased bronchial responsiveness. Fraction of nitric oxide (NO) in the exhaled air (FENO), a marker of airways inflammation, is decreased by smoking and increased by atopy. NO has also a physiological bronchodilating and bronchoprotective role.ObjectivesTo investigate how the relation between FENO and bronchial responsiveness is modulated by atopy and smoking habits.MethodsExhaled NO measurements and methacholine challenge were performed in 468 subjects from the random sample of three European Community Respiratory Health Survey II centers: Turin (Italy), Gothenburg and Uppsala (both Sweden). Atopy status was defined by using specific IgE measurements while smoking status was questionnaire-assessed.Main ResultsIncreased bronchial responsiveness was associated with increased FENO levels in non-smokers (p = 0.02) and decreased FENO levels in current smokers (p = 0.03). The negative association between bronchial responsiveness and FENO was seen only in the group smoking less <10 cigarettes/day (p = 0.008). Increased bronchial responsiveness was associated with increased FENO in atopic subjects (p = 0.04) while no significant association was found in non-atopic participants. The reported interaction between FENO and smoking and atopy, respectively were maintained after adjusting for possible confounders (p-values<0.05).ConclusionsThe present study highlights the interactions of the relationship between FENO and bronchial responsiveness with smoking and atopy, suggesting different mechanisms behind atopy- and smoking-related increases of bronchial responsiveness.
|
|
| 7. |
- Malinovschi, Andrei, et al.
(författare)
-
Effect of smoking on exhaled nitric oxide and flow-independent nitric oxide exchange parameters
- 2006
-
Ingår i: European Respiratory Journal. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 0903-1936 .- 1399-3003. ; 28:2, s. 339-345
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It is a well-known fact that smoking is associated with a reduction in exhaled nitric oxide (NO) levels. There is, however, limited knowledge relating to the smoking-induced changes in production or exchange of NO in different compartments of the airways. This study comprised 221 adult subjects from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey 11, who were investigated in terms of their exhaled NO, lung function, immunoglobulin E sensitisation and smoking habits. The following parameters were determined using extended NO analysis: airway tissue nitric oxide concentration (Caw,NO), airway transfer factor (or diffusing capacity) for nitric oxide (Daw,NO), alveolar nitric oxide concentration (CA,No) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide concentration at a flow rate of 50 mL(.)s(-1) (FeNO,0.05). Maximum total airway nitric oxide flux (J'aw,NO) was calculated from Daw,NO(Caw,NO-CA,NO). Current smokers (n=35) exhibited lower (geometric mean) FeNO,0.05 (14.0 versus 22.8 ppb), Caw,NO (79.0 versus 126 ppb) and J'aw,NO (688 versus 1,153 pL(.)s(-1)) than never-smokers (n=111). Ex-smokers (n=75) were characterised by lower FeNO,0.05 (17.7 versus 22.8 ppb) and Jaw,NO (858 versus 1,153 pL-s(-1)) than never-smokers. These relationships were maintained after adjusting for potential confounders (sex, age, height, immunoglobulin E sensitisation and forced expiratory volume in one second), and, in this analysis, a negative association was found between current smoking and CA,NO. Snus (oral moist snuff) consumption (n=21) in ex-smokers was associated with an increase in Daw,NO and a reduction in Caw,No, after adjusting for potential confounders. Passive smoking was associated with a higher CA,NO. Using extended nitric oxide analysis, it was possible to attribute the reduction in exhaled nitric oxide levels seen in ex- and current smokers to 6 lower total airway nitric oxide flux in ex-smokers and reduced airway and alveolar nitric oxide concentrations in current smokers. The association between snus (oral tobacco) use and reduced nitric oxide concentrations in the airways and increased nitric oxide transfer from the airways warrants further studies.
|
|
| 8. |
- Malinovschi, Andrei, et al.
(författare)
-
IgE sensitisation in relation to flow-independent nitric oxide exchange parameters
- 2006
-
Ingår i: Respiratory Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1465-9921 .- 1465-993X. ; 7, s. 92-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: A positive association between IgE sensitisation and exhaled NO levels has been found in several studies, but there are no reports on the compartment of the lung that is responsible for the increase in exhaled NO levels seen in IgE-sensitised subjects.Methods: The present study comprised 288 adult subjects from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II who were investigated in terms of lung function, IgE sensitisation ( sum of specific IgE), smoking history and presence of rhinitis and asthma. Mean airway tissue concentration of NO (Caw(NO)), airway transfer factor for NO (Daw(NO)), mean alveolar concentration of NO (Calv(NO)) and fractional exhaled concentration of NO at a flow rate of 50 mL s(-1) ( FENO0.05) were determined using the extended NO analysis.Results: IgE-sensitised subjects had higher levels ( geometric mean) of FENO 0.05 (24.9 vs. 17.3 ppb) ( p < 0.001), Daw(NO) ( 10.5 vs. 8 mL s(-1)) ( p = 0.02) and Caw(NO) (124 vs. 107 ppb) ( p < 0.001) and positive correlations were found between the sum of specific IgE and FENO 0.05, Caw(NO) and Daw(NO) levels ( p < 0.001 for all correlations). Sensitisation to cat allergen was the major determinant of exhaled NO when adjusting for type of sensitisation. Rhinitis and asthma were not associated with the increase in exhaled NO variables after adjusting for the degree of IgE sensitisation.Conclusion: The presence of IgE sensitisation and the degree of allergic sensitisation were related to the increase in airway NO transfer factor and the increase in NO concentration in the airway wall. Sensitisation to cat allergen was related to the highest increases in exhaled NO parameters. Our data suggest that exhaled NO is more a specific marker of allergic inflammation than a marker of asthma or rhinitis.
|
|
| 9. |
- Svanes, C., et al.
(författare)
-
Father's environment before conception and asthma risk in his children: a multi-generation analysis of the Respiratory Health In Northern Europe study
- 2017
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Epidemiology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0300-5771 .- 1464-3685. ; 46:1, s. 235-245
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Whereas it is generally accepted that maternal environment plays a key role in child health, emerging evidence suggests that paternal environment before conception also impacts child health. We aimed to investigate the association between children's asthma risk and parental smoking and welding exposures prior to conception. Methods: In a longitudinal, multi-country study, parents of 24 168 offspring aged 2-51 years provided information on their life-course smoking habits, occupational exposure to welding and metal fumes, and offspring's asthma before/after age 10 years and hay fever. Logistic regressions investigated the relevant associations controlled for age, study centre, parental characteristics (age, asthma, education) and clustering by family. Results: Non-allergic early-onset asthma (asthma without hay fever, present in 5.8%) was more common in the offspring with fathers who smoked before conception {odds ratio [OR] = 1.68 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.18-2.41]}, whereas mothers' smoking before conception did not predict offspring asthma. The risk was highest if father started smoking before age 15 years [3.24 (1.67-6.27)], even if he stopped more than 5 years before conception [2.68 (1.17-6.13)]. Fathers' pre-conception welding was independently associated with non-allergic asthma in his offspring [1.80 (1.29-2.50)]. There was no effect if the father started welding or smoking after birth. The associations were consistent across countries. Conclusions: Environmental exposures in young men appear to influence the respiratory health of their offspring born many years later. Influences during susceptible stages of spermatocyte development might be important and needs further investigation in humans. We hypothesize that protecting young men from harmful exposures may lead to improved respiratory health in future generations.
|
|
| 10. |
- Triebner, K., et al.
(författare)
-
Menopause as a predictor of new-onset asthma: A longitudinal Northern European population study
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0091-6749 .- 1097-6825. ; 137:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: There is limited and conflicting evidence on the effect of menopause on asthma. Objectives: We sought to study whether the incidence of asthma and respiratory symptoms differ by menopausal status in a longitudinal population-based study with an average follow-up of 12 years. Methods: The Respiratory Health in Northern Europe study provided questionnaire data pertaining to respiratory and reproductive health at baseline (1999-2001) and follow-up (2010-2012). The study cohort included women aged 45 to 65 years at follow-up, without asthma at baseline, and not using exogenous hormones (n = 2322). Menopausal status was defined as nonmenopausal, transitional, early postmenopausal, and late postmenopausal. Associations with asthma (defined by the use of asthma medication, having asthma attacks, or both) and respiratory symptoms scores were analyzed by using logistic (asthma) and negative binomial (respiratory symptoms) regressions, adjusting for age, body mass index, physical activity, smoking, education, and study center. Results: The odds of new-onset asthma were increased in women who were transitional (odds ratio, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.09-5.30), early postmenopausal (odds ratio, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.06-4.20), and late postmenopausal (odds ratio, 3.44; 95% CI, 1.31-9.05) at follow-up compared with nonmenopausal women. The risk of respiratory symptoms increased in early postmenopausal (coefficient, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.06-0.75) and late postmenopausal (coefficient, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.15-1.23) women. These findings were consistent irrespective of smoking status and across study centers. Conclusions: New-onset asthma and respiratory symptoms increased in women becoming postmenopausal in a longitudinal population-based study. Clinicians should be aware that respiratory health might deteriorate in women during reproductive aging. RAMSON MJ, 1991, JOURNAL OF ASTHMA, V28, P129
|
|
