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- 2019
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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- Andersson, Martin, et al.
(author)
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Early life swimming pool exposure and asthma onset in children : a case-control study
- 2018
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In: Environmental Health. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1476-069X. ; 17
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Trichloramine exposure in indoor swimming pools has been suggested to cause asthma in children. We aimed to investigate the risk of asthma onset among children in relation to individual trichloramine exposure.METHODS: A longitudinal nested case-control study of 337 children with asthma (cases) and 633 controls aged 16-17 years was performed within a population-based cohort from The Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden studies (OLIN). Year of asthma onset and exposure time at different ages were obtained in telephone interviews. Trichloramine concentrations in the pool buildings were measured. Skin prick test results for inhalant allergens were available from previous examinations of the cohort. The risk for asthma was analyzed in relation to the cumulative trichloramine exposure before onset of asthma.RESULTS: Swimming pool exposure in early life was associated with a significantly higher risk of pre-school asthma onset. A dose-response relationship between swimming pool exposure and asthma was indicated in children with asthma onset at 1 year of age. Children who were both sensitized and exposed had a particularly high risk.CONCLUSIONS: Early life exposure to chlorinated swimming pool environments was associated with pre-school asthma onset.
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- Axelsson, Malin, et al.
(author)
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Sleep disturbances and physical inactivity impair health related quality of life in adult asthmatics
- 2017
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Sleep disturbances and physical inactivity have only sparsely been studied in relation to health related quality of life (HRQL) in adult asthmatics. Aim: to investigate sleep disturbances and physical inactivity in relation to HRQL in adult asthmatics. Method: The sample (n=737), aged between 21 and 85 years, selected from the OLIN-studies participated in structured interviews about respiratory health, sleep, physical activity and questionnaires on mental and physical HRQL. Results: Sleep disturbances were more common in asthmatics than in non-asthmatics: snoring (p=0.018), difficulties falling asleep (p=0.025), many nocturnal awakenings (p=0.001), daytime sleepiness (p=0.001), early awakenings (p=0.002). Lower mental HRQL was found in asthmatics with difficulties falling asleep (p=0.001), in asthmatics reporting daytime sleepiness (p=0.010) than asthmatics without sleep disturbances. Lower physical HRQL was found in asthmatics with daytime sleepiness (p=0.002), early awakenings (p=0.001) and many nocturnal awakenings (p=0.039) than asthmatics without these sleep disturbances. Lower physical HRQL was found in physically inactive asthmatics than in physically active asthmatics (p=0.034). Physical activity (p=0.008) and asthma control (p=0.049) were stronger predictors of low physical HRQL than sleep disturbances. Difficulties falling asleep (p=0.001) and many nocturnal awakenings (p=0.04) were identified as negative predictors of mental HRQL while asthma control was a non-significant predictor. Conclusion: Helping adult asthmatics to improve their sleeping habits and to increase their physical activity will have a positive impact on their HRQL. Malin Axelssona, Mai Leanderb, Helena Backmanc, Linnea Hedmanc, Eva Rönmarkc a Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden b Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden c Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, The OLIN Unit, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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- Backman, Helena, et al.
(author)
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A population-based cohort of adults with asthma: mortality and participation in a long-term follow-up
- 2017
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In: European Clinical Respiratory Journal. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2001-8525. ; 4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and objective: Asthma is a major public health concern. The aim of this study was to characterize a large population-based cohort of adults with asthma, and to study factors associated with all-cause mortality and non-participation in a long-term follow-up. Design: Random and stratified samples from five population-based cohorts were clinically examined during 1986-2001, and all subjects with asthma were included in the study (n = 2055, age 19-72 years, 55% women). Independent associations between different risk factors and (i) mortality and (ii) non-participation in a clinical follow-up in 2012-2014 were estimated. Results: In 1986-2001, 95% reported any wheeze and/or attacks of shortness of breath in the past 12 months, and/or asthma medication use. Over the up to 28 years of follow-up time, the cumulative mortality was 22.7%. Male gender, current smoking, and lower forced expiratory volume in 1 sec of predicted (FEV1% of predicted) were independent risk factors for mortality, while obesity was associated with non-participation in the follow-up. Older ages, ischemic heart disease, and low socioeconomic status were associated with both mortality and non-participation. Conclusions: The risk factors associated with mortality in this adult population-based asthma cohort were similar to those commonly identified in general population samples, i.e. male gender, current smoking, and lower FEV1% of predicted, while obesity was associated with non-participation in a long-term follow-up. Ischemic heart disease, low socioeconomic status, and older ages were associated with both mortality and non-participation.
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- Backman, Helena, et al.
(author)
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Chronic airway obstruction in a population-based adult asthma cohort : Prevalence, incidence and prognostic factors
- 2018
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In: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 138, s. 115-122
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundAsthma and COPD may overlap (ACO) but information about incidence and risk factors are lacking. This study aimed to estimate prevalence, incidence and risk factors of chronic airway obstruction (CAO) in a population-based adult asthma cohort.MethodsDuring 1986–2001 a large population-based asthma cohort was identified (n = 2055, 19-72y). Subsamples have participated in clinical follow-ups during the subsequent years. The entire cohort was invited to a clinical follow-up including interview, spirometry, and blood sampling in 2012–2014 when n = 983 subjects performed adequate spirometry. CAO was defined as post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC<0.7.ResultsAt study entry, asthmatics with prevalent CAO (11.4%) reported more respiratory symptoms, asthma medication use, and ischemic heart disease than asthmatics without CAO (asthma only). Subjects who developed CAO during follow-up (17.6%; incidence rate of 16/1000/year) had a more rapid FEV1 decline and higher levels of neutrophils than asthma only. Smoking, older age and male sex were independently associated with increased risk for both prevalent and incident CAO, while obesity had a protective effect.ConclusionsIn this prospective adult asthma cohort, the majority did not develop CAO. Smoking, older age and male sex were risk factors for prevalent and incident CAO, similar to risk factors described for COPD in the general population.
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- Backman, Helena, et al.
(author)
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Decrease in prevalence of COPD in Sweden after decades of decrease in smoking
- 2018
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In: European Respiratory Journal. - : European Respiratory Society. - 0903-1936 .- 1399-3003. ; 52
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: The smoking prevalence in Sweden has steadily decreased during three decades. The prevalence of COPD in Sweden in the 1990s and around the millennium shift was similar to neighboring European countries, i.e. estimated at 11-17%, and of moderate to severe COPD to 7-11%, in ages over 40y.Aim: Has the prevalence of chronic airway obstruction (CAO) and of COPD in Sweden decreased after decades of decreasing smoking prevalence?Methods: Within two large scale population studies in progress, the West Sweden Asthma Study (WSAS) and the Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden Studies (OLIN), the prevalence of COPD in ages 41-72y was calculated among randomly selected subjects from the general population in 2009-2012. The following post-bronchodilator definitions were used; CAO: FEV1/FVCResults: The prevalence of CAO based on the FEV1/FVCConclusion: As prevalence of COPD defined as chronic airway obstruction before and around the millennium shift was estimated at 11-17% in ages >40 years, the prevalence of COPD has decreased in Sweden, and the decrease in smoking over decades is probably the main causal factor.
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| 10. |
- Backman, Helena, et al.
(author)
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Decreased prevalence of moderate to severe COPD over 15 years in northern Sweden
- 2016
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In: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 114, s. 103-110
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The burden of COPD in terms of mortality, morbidity, costs and prevalence has increased worldwide. Recent results on prevalence in Western Europe are conflicting. In Sweden smoking prevalence has steadily decreased over the past 30 years. Aim: The aim was to study changes in prevalence and risk factor patterns of COPD in the same area and within the same age-span 15 years apart. Material and methods: Two population-based cross-sectional samples in ages 23-72 years participating at examinations in 1994 and 2009, respectively, were compared in terms of COPD prevalence, severity and risk factor patterns. Two different definitions of COPD were used; FEV1/FVC < LLN and FEV1/FVC < 0.7. The severity of COPD was assessed by FEV1, both as % of predicted and in relation to the LLN. Results: The prevalence of COPD decreased significantly from 9.5% to 6.3% (p = 0.030) according to the FEV1/FVC < LLN criterion, while the decrease based on the FEV1/FVC < 0.7 criterion from 10.5% to 8.5% was non-significant. The prevalence of moderate to severe COPD decreased substantially and significantly, and the risk factor pattern was altered in 2009 when, beside age and smoking, also socioeconomic status based on occupation was significantly associated with COPD. Conclusions: Changes in both prevalence and risk factor patterns of COPD were observed between surveys. Following a continuing decrease in smoking habits over several decades, a decrease in the prevalence of moderate to severe COPD was observed from 1994 to 2009 in northern Sweden.
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