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- Hagstad, Stig, 1978, et al.
(author)
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COPD among non-smokers - Report from the Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden (OLIN) studies
- 2012
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In: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 106:7, s. 980-988
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: In westernized countries smoking and increasing age are the most important risk factors for COPD. Prevalence and risk factors of COPD among non-smokers are not well studied. Aim: To study the prevalence and risk factors of COPD among non-smokers and to determine the proportion of non-smokers among subjects with COPD. Methods: A random sample of 2470 subjects drawn from a population-based postal survey of 10,040 (85-88% participation) adults (aged 20-77) in Norrbotten, Sweden, were invited to structured interviews and lung function tests, and 1897 participated. COPD was classified using the fixed ratio (GOLD) definition and for comparison the lower limit of normal (LLN). Results: The prevalence of airway obstruction was 6.9% among non-smokers and strongly age related. The prevalence of GOLD stage >= II among non-smokers was 15%. Both among subjects with airway obstruction and among subjects with GOLD stage >= II, the proportions of nonsmokers were 20%. Of men with airway obstruction, 14.1% were non-smokers versus 26.8% among women. Non-smokers with GOLD stage >= II had significantly more symptoms and higher co-morbidity than non-smokers without airway obstruction. Sex, area of domicile and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke was not significantly associated to airway obstruction among non-smokers. Using LLN for defining airway obstruction yielded a similar prevalence. Conclusion: The prevalence of airway obstruction among non-smokers was close to 7% and was associated with increasing age. One out of seven men with airway obstruction, defined using the fixed ratio, versus one out of four women had never smoked. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Warm, Katja, et al.
(author)
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Low incidence and high remission of allergic sensitization among adults
- 2012
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In: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0091-6749 .- 1097-6825. ; 129:1, s. 136-142
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Prospective studies on the incidence and remission of allergic sensitization among adults are rare.OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the incidence, remission, risk factors, and prevalence of allergic sensitization in relation to aging over a 10-year period.METHODS: In 1994, a sample of 664 adults (68% of invited) participated in clinical examinations, including a structured interview and skin prick tests (SPTs). The sample was randomly selected from a large questionnaire survey in Northern Sweden. In 2004, 555 subjects (93% of invited) were re-examined by using the same methods as in 1994. IgE levels were also measured in 2004.RESULTS: In 1994, the prevalence of any positive SPT response was significantly related to age, with the highest prevalence (55%) in subjects aged 20 to 29 years and the lowest prevalence (26%) in subjects aged 50 to 60 years. A similar age-related prevalence was found in 2004, and sensitization to pollen and pets was most common in both years. The results of the SPTs were verified by means of specific IgE measurement. The incidence of any positive SPT response was low. Only 9 subjects had any positive SPT response (ie, a cumulative incidence of 5% over 10 years). Remission was greater (ie, 32% over 10 years). The main risk factors for allergic sensitization were young age and a family history of allergy. Having had furred animals at home during childhood was negatively related to specific IgE levels.CONCLUSION: The low incidence and high remission in adulthood explain the decreasing prevalence of allergic sensitization by age. Thus the low prevalence of allergic sensitization among the elderly found in cross-sectional studies is an effect of normal aging and not primarily a birth cohort effect.
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