| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
- Carlsen, Hanne Krage, et al.
(författare)
-
Increased respiratory morbidity associated with exposure to a mature volcanic plume from a large Icelandic fissure eruption.
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 12:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The 2014-15 Holuhraun eruption in Iceland was the largest fissure eruption in over 200 years, emitting prodigious amounts of gas and particulate matter into the troposphere. Reykjavík, the capital area of Iceland (250km from eruption site) was exposed to air pollution events from advection of (i) a relatively young and chemically primitive volcanic plume with a high sulphur dioxide gas (SO2) to sulphate PM (SO42-) ratio, and (ii) an older and chemically mature volcanic plume with a low SO2/SO42- ratio. Whereas the advection and air pollution caused by the primitive plume were successfully forecast and forewarned in public advisories, the mature plume was not. Here, we show that exposure to the mature plume is associated with an increase in register-measured health care utilisation for respiratory disease by 23% (95% CI 19.7-27.4%) and for asthma medication dispensing by 19.3% (95% CI 9.6-29.1%). Absence of public advisories is associated with increases in visits to primary care medical doctors and to the hospital emergency department. We recommend that operational response to volcanic air pollution considers both primitive and mature types of plumes.
|
|
| 3. |
- Carlsen, Hanne Krage, et al.
(författare)
-
Respiratory health among professionals exposed to extreme SO2 levels from a volcanic eruption.
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health. - : Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 1795-990X .- 0355-3140. ; 45:3, s. 312-5
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective The Holuhraun eruption of fall and winter 2014-15 produced large amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO 2). The aim of this study was to determine if exposure to extreme SO 2levels affected the health of individuals working at the eruption site. Methods During January‒March 2015, earth scientists, technicians, and law enforcement personnel who were about to work at the eruption site were invited to a respiratory health examination. Symptom reports and lung function measures, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were collected before and after an eruption site visit. Those with previous exposure (N=27) reported symptoms retrospectively. Results Altogether, 41 individuals were invited to participate, 32 underwent a clinical examination at a hospital respiratory health clinic (baseline); 27 reported symptoms during earlier visits to the eruption site (retrospective symptom reports), 17 were re-examined 1-6 days after visiting the eruption site (follow-up). All participants' lung function was within normal range both before and after exposure. At baseline, average FEV 1was 107.4% of predicted versus 106.6 at follow-up (P =0.82); average FVC was 107.0% of predicted at baseline versus 107.4% at follow-up (P=0.35). Eye and nasal irritation were more frequently reported during eruption site exposure by 24% versus 6% (P =0.37) for both. Conclusion Although "healthy-worker" effects cannot be excluded, our data indicate that SO 2exposure was associated with relatively mild and transient respiratory symptoms with no clinical signs of airway inflammation or airway obstruction.
|
|
| 4. |
- Carlsen, Hanne Krage, et al.
(författare)
-
Severe volcanic SO2 exposure and respiratory morbidity in the Icelandic population – a register study
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-069X. ; 20
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The Holuhraun volcanic eruption September 2014 to February 2015 emitted large amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO ). The aim of this study was to determine the association between volcanic SO gases on general population respiratory health some 250 km from the eruption site, in the Icelandic capital area. Methods: Respiratory health outcomes were: asthma medication dispensing (AMD) from the Icelandic Medicines Register, medical doctor consultations in primary care (PCMD) and hospital emergency department visits (HED) in Reykjavík (population: 215000) for respiratory disease from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2014. The associations between daily counts of health events and daily mean SO concentration and high SO levels (24-h mean SO > 125 μg/m3) were analysed using generalized additive models. Results: After the eruption began, AMD was higher than before (129.4 vs. 158.4 individuals per day, p < 0.05). For PCMD and HED, there were no significant differences between the number of daily events before and after the eruption (142.2 vs 144.8 and 18.3 vs 17.5, respectively). In regression analysis adjusted for other pollutants, SO was associated with estimated increases in AMD by 0.99% (95% CI 0.39–1.58%) per 10 μg/m at lag 0–2, in PCMD for respiratory causes 1.26% (95% CI 0.72–1.80%) per 10 μg/m SO at lag 0–2, and in HED by 1.02% (95% CI 0.02–2.03%) per 10 μg/m SO at lag 0–2. For days over the health limit, the estimated increases were 10.9% (95% CI 2.1–19.6%), 17.2% (95% CI 10.0–24.4%) for AMD and PCMD. Dispensing of short-acting medication increased significantly by 1.09% (95% CI 0.49–1.70%), and PCMD for respiratory infections and asthma and COPD diagnoses and increased significantly by 1.12% (95% CI 0.54–1.71%) and 2.08% (1.13–3.04%). Conclusion: High levels of volcanic SO are associated with increases in dispensing of AMD, and health care utilization in primary and tertiary care. Individuals with prevalent respiratory disease may be particularly susceptible. 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3
|
|
| 5. |
- Emilsson, Össur Ingi, et al.
(författare)
-
Nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux and respiratory symptoms are increased in sleep apnoea : comparison with the general population
- 2024
-
Ingår i: BMJ Open Respiratory Research. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2052-4439. ; 11:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim To assess respiratory symptoms and nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux (nGER) among untreated obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients, compared with the general population. Also, if nGER associates differently with respiratory symptoms among OSA patients.Methods 2 study cohorts were included: 822 newly diagnosed subjects with moderate–severe OSA and 738 Icelandic general population study participants. All participants answered the same questionnaires. Those reporting nGER symptoms at least once per week were defined as ‘with nGER’; those without nGER symptoms and without nGER medication were defined as ‘no nGER’; and other participants were defined as having ‘possible nGER’. Propensity score-based weights were used to minimise confounding and selection bias and facilitate causal interpretations.Results The prevalence of nGER among OSA patients was 14.1%, compared with 5.8% in the general population. This increased prevalence in OSA was not explained by differences in age, gender, body mass index, smoking, hypertension and diabetes (adjusted OR (95% CI)=3.79 (2.24 to 6.43)). OSA patients ‘with nGER’ and with ‘possible nGER’ reported more wheezing (44% and 44% vs 25%, respectively) and productive cough (47% and 42% vs 29%, respectively), compared with OSA patients with ‘no nGER’. The same pattern was seen in the general population, although with a generally lower prevalence. The effect of nGER on respiratory symptoms was similar between the two cohorts.Conclusion nGER was more often reported among untreated moderate–severe OSA patients than in the general population. Participants with nGER had more wheezing and productive cough, both among untreated OSA patients and in the general population.
|
|
| 6. |
- Emilsson, Össur Ingi, et al.
(författare)
-
Positive airway pressure treatment affects respiratory symptoms and gastro-oesophageal reflux : the Icelandic Sleep Apnea Cohort Study
- 2023
-
Ingår i: ERJ Open Research. - : European Respiratory Society. - 2312-0541. ; 9:5
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: To study the effect of positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment on nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux (nGOR) and respiratory symptoms among clinical obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients.Methods: 822 patients newly diagnosed with OSA referred for PAP treatment were recruited. 732 patients had a 2-year follow-up visit with continuous PAP compliance data (366 full PAP users, 366 partial/non-PAP users). They answered questionnaires, including reporting of nGOR, sleep and respiratory symptoms and general health. Patients with nGOR symptoms once a week or more were defined as "with nGOR". Those without nGOR symptoms and nGOR medication were defined as "no nGOR". Others were defined as "possible nGOR".Results: At 2-year follow-up, PAP treatment among full users resulted in decreased nGOR (adjusted OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.40-0.86) and wheezing (adjusted OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.35-0.88) compared with partial/non-PAP users. Decreased nGOR, among both full and partial/non-users of PAP treatment, was associated with a decrease in productive morning cough (adjusted OR 4.70, 95% CI 2.22-9.99) and a decrease in chronic bronchitis (adjusted OR 3.86, 95% CI 1.74-8.58), but not decreased wheezing (adjusted OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.39-2.08). A mediation analysis found that PAP treatment directly led to a decrease in wheezing, not mediated through nGOR. Conversely, PAP treatment decreased productive cough mediated through a decrease in nGOR.Conclusion: In an unselected group of OSA patients, PAP treatment for 2 years was associated with a decrease in nGOR and respiratory symptoms. The PAP treatment itself was associated with less wheezing. A decrease in nGOR through PAP treatment was associated with a decrease in productive cough.
|
|
| 7. |
- Emilsson, Össur Ingi, et al.
(författare)
-
Snoring and nocturnal reflux : association with lung function decline and respiratory symptoms
- 2019
-
Ingår i: ERJ Open Research. - : European Respitory Society (ERS). - 2312-0541. ; 5:2
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: The study aim was to examine the association of snoring and nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux (nGOR) with respiratory symptoms and lung function, and if snoring and/or nGOR associated with a steeper decline in lung function. Methods: Data from the third visit of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) was used for cross-sectional analysis. Pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry was performed, and information on sleep, nGOR and respiratory symptoms was collected (n=5715). Habitual snoring and nGOR were assessed by questionnaire reports. Pre-bronchodilator spirometry from ECRHS I, II and III (20 years follow-up) were used to analyse lung function changes by multivariate regression analysis. Results: Snoring and nGOR were independently associated with a higher prevalence of wheeze, chest tightness, breathlessness, cough and phlegm. The prevalence of any respiratory symptom was 79% in subjects with both snoring and nGOR versus 56% in those with neither (p<0.001). Subjects with both snoring and nGOR had more frequent exacerbations (adjusted prevalence 32% versus 19% among "no snoring, no nGOR", p=0.003). Snoring but not nGOR was associated with a steeper decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s over 10 years after adjusting for confounding factors (change in % predicted -5.53, versus -4.58 among "no snoring", p=0.04) and forced vital capacity (change in % predicted -1.94, versus -0.99 among "no snoring", p=0.03). Conclusions: Adults reporting both habitual snoring and nGOR had more respiratory symptoms and more frequent exacerbations of these symptoms. Habitual snoring was associated with a steeper decline in lung function over time.
|
|
| 8. |
- Gislason, Thorarinn, et al.
(författare)
-
Persistent Chlamydia pneumonia serology is related to a more rapid decline in lung function in women but not in men
- 2010
-
Ingår i: BMC Pulmonary Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2466. ; 10
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Chlamydia pneumoniae (C pn) infection causes an acute inflammation in the respiratory system that may become persistent, but little is known about the long-term respiratory effects of C pn infections. Aim: To estimate the long term respiratory effects of C pn with change in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) as a main outcome variable.Methods The study comprised of 1109 subjects (500 men and 609 women, mean age 28 ± 6 years) that participated in the Reykjavik Heart Study of the Young. Spirometry and blood samples for measurements of IgG antibodies for C pn were done at inclusion and at the end of the follow-up period (mean follow-up time 27 ± 4 years).Results Having IgG against C pn at both examinations was significantly associated to a larger decrease in FEV1 (6 mL/year) and FVC (7 mL/year) in women but not in men. In women the association between C pn and larger FEV1 decline was only found in women that smoked at baseline where having C pn IgG was associated with 10 mL/year decline compared to smokers without C pn IgG. These results were still significant after adjustment for age, smoking and change in body weight.Conclusion Our results indicate that persistent C pn serology is related to increased decline in lung function in women but not in men. This effect was, however, primarily found in smoking women. This study is a further indication that the pathophysiological process leading to lung impairment may differ between men and women.
|
|
| 9. |
- Olafsdottir, Inga Sif, et al.
(författare)
-
CRP is associated with lung function decline in men but not women : a prospective study
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 107:1, s. 91-97
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Systemic inflammation is associated with impaired lung function. Studies, most cross-sectional, report a stronger association between systemic inflammation and lung function impairment in men than women. The aim was to evaluate gender differences in the longitudinal association between systemic inflammation and lung function.We used data from randomly chosen residents of Reykjavík, born 1940–54, who were investigated in three stages: Baseline (1973–75; 1983–85) and follow-up (2001–03). The participants (n = 1049, 574 women) had a mean age of 28 ± 6 years at baseline and mean follow-up time of 27 ± 4 years. At each stage lung function (FEV1 and FVC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated.Change in FEV1 (p = 0.04) and FVC (p = 0.01) was associated with baseline CRP in men but not in women. In the multiple variable analysis, CRP at baseline was associated with a decline in FEV1 (−3.1 mL/year, 95% CI: −5.1, −0.99) and FVC (−2.5 mL/year, 95% CI: −4.4, −0.65) in men but not in women. Similarly during follow-up, change in CRP, standardised to 1SD, was associated with a decline in FEV1 (−0.19 mL/year, 95% CI: −0.30, −0.07) and FVC (−0.11 mL/year, 95% CI: −0.22, −0.01)) in men but not in women.This prospective study confirms a stronger association between systemic inflammation and lung function decline in men than in women. This may indicate a gender difference in the mechanisms of lung function decline.
|
|
| 10. |
- Thorarinsdottir, Elin H., et al.
(författare)
-
Definition of excessive daytime sleepiness in the general population : Feeling sleepy relates better to sleep-related symptoms and quality of life than the Epworth Sleepiness Scale score. Results from an epidemiological study
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Journal of Sleep Research. - : WILEY. - 0962-1105 .- 1365-2869. ; 28:6
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Many different subjective tools are being used to measure excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) but the most widely used is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). However, it is unclear if using the ESS is adequate on its own when assessing EDS. The aim of this study was to estimate the characteristics and prevalence of EDS using the ESS and the Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire (BNSQ) in general population samples. Participants aged 40 years and older answered questions about sleepiness, health, sleep-related symptoms and quality of life. Two groups were defined as suffering from EDS: those who scored >10 on the ESS (with increased risk of dozing off) and those reporting feeling sleepy during the day >= 3 times per week on the BNSQ. In total, 1,338 subjects (53% male, 74.1% response rate) participated, 13.1% reported an increased risk of dozing off, 23.2% reported feeling sleepy and 6.4% reported both. The prevalence of restless leg syndrome, nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux, difficulties initiating and maintaining sleep and nocturnal sweating was higher among subjects reporting feeling sleepy compared to non-sleepy subjects. Also, subjects reporting feeling sleepy had poorer quality of life and reported more often feeling unrested during the day than non-sleepy subjects. However, subjects reporting increased risk of dozing off (ESS > 10) without feeling sleepy had a similar symptom profile as the non-sleepy subjects. Therefore, reporting only risk of dozing off without feeling sleepy may not reflect problematic sleepiness and more instruments in addition to ESS are needed when evaluating daytime sleepiness.
|
|
