| 1. |
- Ahlroth Pind, Caroline, et al.
(författare)
-
Pharmacological treatment of asthma in Sweden from 2005 to 2015
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Journal of Asthma. - : Marcel Dekker. - 0277-0903 .- 1532-4303. ; 61:4, s. 313-321
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Despite access to effective therapies many asthma patients still do not have well-controlled disease. This is possibly related to underuse of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and overuse of short-acting β2-agonists (SABA). Our aim was to investigate longitudinal trends and associated factors in asthma treatment.METHODS: Two separate cohorts of adults with physician-diagnosed asthma were randomly selected from 14 hospitals and 56 primary health centers in Sweden in 2005 (n = 1182) and 2015 (n = 1225). Information about symptoms, maintenance treatment, and use of rescue medication was collected by questionnaires. Associations between treatment and sex, age, smoking, education, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, allergic asthma, and symptom control were analyzed using Pearson's chi2-test. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using logistic regression.RESULTS: Maintenance treatment with ICS together with long-acting β2-agonists (LABA) and/or montelukast increased from 39.2% to 44.2% (p = 0.012). The use of ICS + LABA as-needed increased (11.1-18.9%, p < 0.001), while SABA use decreased (46.4- 41.8%, p = 0.023). Regular treatment with ICS did not change notably (54.2-57.2%, p = 0.14). Older age, former smoking, and poor symptom control were related to treatment with ICS + LABA/montelukast. In 2015, 22.7% reported daily use of SABA. A higher step of maintenance treatment, older age, obesity, shorter education, current smoking, allergic asthma, low or very high physical activity, and a history of exacerbations were associated with daily SABA use.CONCLUSIONS: The use of ICS + LABA both for maintenance treatment and symptom relief has increased over time. Despite this, the problem of low use of ICS and high use of SABA remains.
|
|
| 2. |
- Athlin, Åsa, 1971-, et al.
(författare)
-
Diagnostic spirometry in COPD is increasing, a comparison of two Swedish cohorts
- 2023
-
Ingår i: npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2055-1010. ; 33:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Spirometry should be used to confirm a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This test is not always performed, leading to possible misdiagnosis. We investigated whether the proportion of patients with diagnostic spirometry has increased over time as well as factors associated with omitted or incorrectly interpreted spirometry. Data from medical reviews and a questionnaire from primary and secondary care patients with a doctors' diagnosis of COPD between 2004 and 2010 were collected. Data were compared with a COPD cohort diagnosed between 2000 and 2003. Among 703 patients with a first diagnosis of COPD between 2004 and 2010, 88% had a diagnostic spirometry, compared with 59% (p < 0.001) in the previous cohort. Factors associated with not having diagnostic spirometry were current smoking (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.36-3.60), low educational level (OR 1.81; 1.09-3.02) and management in primary care (OR 2.28; 1.02-5.14). The correct interpretation of spirometry results increased (75% vs 82%; p = 0.010). Among patients with a repeated spirometry, 94% had a persistent FEV1/FVC or FEV1/VC ratio <0.70.
|
|
| 3. |
- Athlin, Åsa, 1971-, et al.
(författare)
-
Prediction of Mortality Using Different COPD Risk Assessments : A 12-Year Follow-Up
- 2021
-
Ingår i: The International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. - : Dove Medical Press Ltd.. - 1176-9106 .- 1178-2005. ; 16, s. 665-675
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: A multidimensional approach in the risk assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is preferable. The aim of this study is to compare the prognostic ability for mortality by different COPD assessment systems; spirometric staging, classification by GOLD 2011, GOLD 2017, the age, dyspnea, obstruction (ADO) and the dyspnea, obstruction, smoking, exacerbation (DOSE) indices.Patients and Methods: A total of 490 patients diagnosed with COPD were recruited from primary and secondary care in central Sweden in 2005. The cohort was followed until 2017. Data for categorization using the different assessment systems were obtained through questionnaire data from 2005 and medical record reviews between 2000 and 2003. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess mortality risk. Receiver operating characteristic curves estimated areas under the curve (AUC) to evaluate each assessment systems´ ability to predict mortality.Results: By the end of follow-up, 49% of the patients were deceased. The mortality rate was higher for patients categorized as stage 3-4, GOLD D in both GOLD classifications and those with a DOSE score above 4 and ADO score above 8. The ADO index was most accurate for predicting mortality, AUC 0.79 (95% CI 0.75-0.83) for all-cause mortality and 0.80 (95% CI 0.75-0.85) for respiratory mortality. The AUC values for stages 1-4, GOLD 2011, GOLD 2017 and DOSE index were 0.73, 0.66, 0.63 and 0.69, respectively, for all-cause mortality.Conclusion: All of the risk assessment systems predict mortality. The ADO index was in this study the best predictor and could be a helpful tool in COPD risk assessment.
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
- Bornehag, Carl-Gustaf, et al.
(författare)
-
The association between asthma and allergic symptoms in children and phthalates in house dust : a nested case-control study
- 2004
-
Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives. - : National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). - 0091-6765 .- 1552-9924. ; 112:14, s. 1393-1397
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Global phthalate ester production has increased from very low levels at the end of World War II to approximately 3.5 million metric tons/year. The aim of the present study was to investigate potential associations between persistent allergic symptoms in children, which have increased markedly in developed countries over the past three decades, and the concentration of phthalates in dust collected from their homes. This investigation is a case-control study nested within a cohort of 10,852 children. From the cohort, we selected 198 cases with persistent allergic symptoms and 202 controls without allergic symptoms. A clinical and a technical team investigated each child and her or his environment. We found higher median concentrations of butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP) in dust among cases than among controls (0.15 vs. 0.12 mg/g dust). Analyzing the case group by symptoms showed that BBzP was associated with rhinitis (p = 0.001) and eczema (p = 0.001), whereas di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was associated with asthma (p = 0.022). Furthermore, dose-response relationships for these associations are supported by trend analyses. This study shows that phthalates, within the range of what is normally found in indoor environments, are associated with allergic symptoms in children. We believe that the different associations of symptoms for the three major phthalates-BBzP, DEHP, and di-n-butyl phthalate-can be explained by a combination of chemical physical properties and toxicologic potential. Given the phthalate exposures of children worldwide, the results from this study of Swedish children have global implications.
|
|
| 6. |
- Bornehag, Carl-Gustaf, 1957-, et al.
(författare)
-
The SELMA study : a birth cohort study in Sweden following more than 2000 mother-child pairs
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. - Hoboken, USA : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0269-5022 .- 1365-3016. ; 26:5, s. 456-467
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: This paper describes the background, aim and study design for the Swedish SELMA study that aimed to investigate the importance of early life exposure during pregnancy and infancy to environmental factors with a major focus on endocrine disrupting chemicals for multiple chronic diseases/disorders in offspring.Methods: The cohort was established by recruiting women in the 10th week of pregnancy. Blood and urine from the pregnant women and the child and air and dust from home environment from pregnancy and infancy period have been collected. Questionnaires were used to collect information on life styles, socio-economic status, living conditions, diet and medical history.Results: Of the 8394 reported pregnant women, 6658 were invited to participate in the study. Among the invited women, 2582 (39%) agreed to participate. Of the 4076 (61%) non-participants, 2091 women were invited to a non-respondent questionnaire in order to examine possible selection bias. We found a self-selection bias in the established cohort when compared with the non-participant group, e.g. participating families did smoke less (14% vs. 19%), had more frequent asthma and allergy symptoms in the family (58% vs. 38%), as well as higher education among the mothers (51% vs. 36%) and more often lived in single-family houses (67% vs. 60%).Conclusions: These findings indicate that the participating families do not fully represent the study population and thus, the exposure in this population. However, there is no obvious reason that this selection bias will have an impact on identification of environmental risk factors.
|
|
| 7. |
- Bouhuis, Dennis, et al.
(författare)
-
Factors Associated with the Non-Exacerbator Phenotype of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- 2023
-
Ingår i: The International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. - : Dove Medical Press Ltd.. - 1176-9106 .- 1178-2005. ; 18, s. 483-492
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and no exacerbations may need less maintenance treatment and follow-up. The aim was to identify factors associated with a non-exacerbator COPD phenotype.METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of 1354 patients from primary and secondary care, with a doctor's diagnosis of COPD. In 2014, data on demographics, exacerbation frequency and symptoms using COPD Assessment Test (CAT) were collected using questionnaires and on spirometry and comorbid conditions by record review. The non-exacerbator phenotype was defined as having reported no exacerbations the previous six months. Multivariable logistic regression with the non-exacerbator phenotype as dependent variable was performed, including stratification and interaction analyses by sex.RESULTS: The non-exacerbator phenotype was found in 891 (66%) patients and was independently associated with COPD stage 1 (OR [95% CI] 5.72 [3.30-9.92]), stage 2 (3.42 [2.13-5.51]) and stage 3 (2.38 [1.46-3.88]) compared with stage 4, and with CAT score <10 (3.35 [2.34-4.80]). Chronic bronchitis and underweight were inversely associated with the non-exacerbator phenotype (0.47 [0.28-0.79]) and (0.68 [0.48-0.97]), respectively. The proportion of non-exacerbators was higher among patients with no maintenance treatment or a single bronchodilator. The association of COPD stage 1 compared with stage 4 with the non-exacerbator phenotype was stronger in men (p for interaction 0.048). In women, underweight and obesity were both inversely associated with the non-exacerbator phenotype (p for interaction 0.033 and 0.046 respectively), and in men heart failure was inversely associated with the non-exacerbator phenotype (p for interaction 0.030).CONCLUSION: The non-exacerbator phenotype is common, especially in patients with no maintenance treatment or a single bronchodilator, and is characterized by preserved lung function, low symptom burden, and by absence of chronic bronchitis, underweight and obesity and heart failure. We suggest these patients may need less treatment and follow-up, but that management of comorbid conditions is important to avoid exacerbations.
|
|
| 8. |
- Carlstedt, Fredrik, et al.
(författare)
-
Exhaled nitric oxide and urinary EPX levels in infants : a pilot study
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Clinical and Molecular Allergy. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1476-7961. ; 9
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Objective markers of early airway inflammation in infants are not established but are of great interest in a scientific setting. Exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and urinary eosinophilic protein X (uEPX) are a two such interesting markers.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of measuring FeNO and uEPX in infants and their mothers and to determine if any relations between these two variables and environmental factors can be seen in a small sample size. This was conducted as a pilot study for the ongoing Swedish Environmental Longitudinal Mother and child Asthma and allergy study (SELMA).METHODS: Consecutive infants between two and six months old and their mothers at children's health care centres were invited, and 110 mother-infant pairs participated. FeNO and uEPX were analysed in both mothers and infants. FeNO was analyzed in the mothers online by the use of the handheld Niox Mino device and in the infants offline from exhaled air sampled during tidal breathing. A 33-question multiple-choice questionnaire that dealt with symptoms of allergic disease, heredity, and housing characteristics was used.RESULTS: FeNO levels were reduced in infants with a history of upper respiratory symptoms during the previous two weeks (p < 0.002). There was a trend towards higher FeNO levels in infants with windowpane condensation in the home (p < 0.05). There was no association between uEPX in the infants and the other studied variables.CONCLUSION: The use of uEPX as a marker of early inflammation was not supported. FeNO levels in infants were associated to windowpane condensation. Measuring FeNO by the present method may be an interesting way of evaluating early airway inflammation. In a major population study, however, the method is difficult to use, for practical reasons.
|
|
| 9. |
- Choi, Hyunok, et al.
(författare)
-
Common household chemicals and the allergy risks in pre-school age children
- 2010
-
Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 5:10
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The risk of indoor exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on allergic airway diseases in children remains unknown.OBJECTIVE: We examined the residential concentrations of VOCs, emitted from building materials, paints, furniture, and other lifestyle practices and the risks of multiple allergic diseases as well as the IgE-sensitization in pre-school age children in Sweden.METHODS: In a case-control investigation (198 case children with asthma and allergy and 202 healthy controls), air samples were collected in the room where the child slept. The air samples were analyzed for the levels of eight classes of VOCs.RESULTS: A natural-log unit of summed propylene glycol and glycol ethers (PGEs) in bedroom air (equal to interquartile range, or 3.43 - 15.65 µg/m(3)) was associated with 1.5-fold greater likelihood of being a case (95% CI, 1.1 - 2.1), 1.5-fold greater likelihood of asthma (95% CI, 1.0 - 2.3), 2.8-fold greater likelihood of rhinitis (95% CI, 1.6 - 4.7), and 1.6-fold greater likelihood of eczema (95% CI, 1.1 - 2.3), accounting for gender, secondhand smoke, allergies in both parents, wet cleaning with chemical agents, construction period of the building, limonene, cat and dog allergens, butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP). When the analysis was restricted to the cases, the same unit concentration was associated with 1.8-fold greater likelihood of IgE-sensitization (95% CI, 1.1 - 2.8) compared to the non-IgE sensitized cases. No similar associations were found for the other classes of VOCs.CONCLUSION: We propose a novel hypothesis that PGEs in indoor air exacerbate and/or induce the multiple allergic symptoms, asthma, rhinitis and eczema, as well as IgE sensitization respectively.
|
|
| 10. |
- Eriksson, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
-
Risk Factors Associated with Asthma Control and Quality of Life in Patients with Mild Asthma Without Preventer Treatment, a Cross-Sectional Study
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Journal of Asthma and Allergy. - : Dove Medical Press. - 1178-6965. ; 17, s. 621-632
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: To study risk factors for uncontrolled asthma and insufficient quality of life (QoL) in patients with mild asthma, ie those without preventer treatment.Patients and Methods: Patients aged 18-75 years with a doctor's diagnosis of asthma randomly selected from primary and secondary care in Sweden. Mild asthma was defined as self-reported current asthma and no preventer treatment. Data were collected from self-completed questionnaires in 2012 and 2015. Well-controlled asthma was defined as Asthma Control Test (ACT) >20 points and no exacerbation and uncontrolled asthma as ACT<20 points and/or at least one exacerbation in the previous six months. QoL was measured by the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-AQLQ), where a total mean score of > 6 indicated sufficient and < 6 insufficient QoL. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using asthma control and Mini-AQLQ as dependent variables. Asthma control was dichotomized as controlled and uncontrolled asthma and the Mini-AQLQ as sufficient QoL (mean score >6) and insufficient QoL (mean score <6).Results: Among 298 patients, 26% had uncontrolled asthma, 40% insufficient QoL and 20% both uncontrolled asthma and insufficient QoL. Age >60 years, obesity, daily smoking, rhinitis and inadequate knowledge of asthma self-management were independently associated with poor asthma control. Factors independently associated with insufficient QoL were age >60 years, overweight, obesity, rhinitis, sinusitis and inadequate knowledge of asthma self-management. Age >60 years, obesity, rhinitis and inadequate knowledge of asthma self-management were independently associated with both uncontrolled asthma and insufficient QoL.Conclusion: Among asthma patients without preventer medication, 26% had uncontrolled asthma and 40% had insufficient asthmarelated QoL. Older age, obesity, and rhinitis were risk factors for both poor asthma control and a reduced QoL, but having good knowledge of asthma self-management reduced this risk. Our findings suggest that this group of patients requires further attention and follow-up.
|
|
