| 1. |
- Bjerg, Anders, 1982, et al.
(author)
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A population-based study of animal component sensitization, asthma, and rhinitis in schoolchildren
- 2015
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In: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. - : Wiley. - 0905-6157 .- 1399-3038. ; 26:6, s. 557-563
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundAnimal sensitization is a major determinant of asthma in children. Component-resolved studies of unselected pediatric populations are lacking. The aim was to describe sensitization to animal components and the association with asthma and rhinitis in animal-sensitized schoolchildren. MethodsA random sample of 696 children (11-12years) from a Swedish population-based cohort was tested for sensitization to cat, dog, and horse dander using ImmunoCAP. Sera from animal-sensitized children were further analyzed by microarray including three allergen components from cat, four from dog, and two from horse. The parents completed an expanded ISAAC questionnaire. ResultsOf 259 animal-sensitized children (0.1 kU(A)/l), 51% were sensitized to all three, 23% to two, and 25% to one species. Current asthma and asthma symptoms following contact with cats were associated with co-sensitization to Fel d 1 and Fel d 4. This association was seen already at moderate-level sensitization (1-15 ISU) to Fel d 4, at which level most children were sensitized to Fel d 1, as well. In dog-sensitized children, the majority was sensitized to more than one dog component, and co-sensitization to Can f 5 and Can f 1/f 2 conferred the greatest risk for asthma. Sensitization to the highly cross-reactive serum albumins was uncommon and not associated with asthma. ConclusionsAmong schoolchildren in northern Sweden, where mite allergy is uncommon, furry animals were the primary perennial sensitizers. Asthma was associated with higher levels of component sensitization, and sensitization to more than one component from the same animal conferred the greatest risk.
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| 2. |
- Sawalha, Sami, et al.
(author)
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The impact of comorbidities on mortality among men and women with COPD: report from the OLIN COPD study
- 2019
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In: Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease. - : SAGE Publications. - 1753-4658 .- 1753-4666. ; 13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Comorbidities probably contribute to the increased mortality observed among subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but sex differences in the prognostic impact of comorbidities have rarely been evaluated in population-based studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of common comorbidities, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), and anxiety/depression (A/D), on mortality among men and women with and without airway obstruction in a population-based study. Methods: All subjects with airway obstruction [forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/(forced) vital capacity ((F)VC) <0.70, n = 993] were, together with age- and sex-matched referents, identified after examinations of population-based cohorts in 2002-2004. Spirometric groups: normal lung function (NLF) and COPD (post-bronchodilator FEV1/(F)VC <0.70) and additionally, LLN-COPD (FEV1/(F)VC
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| 3. |
- af Klinteberg, Maja, 1980-, et al.
(author)
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Decreasing prevalence of atopic dermatitis in Swedish schoolchildren : three repeated population-based surveys
- 2024
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In: British Journal of Dermatology. - : Oxford University Press. - 0007-0963 .- 1365-2133. ; 190:2, s. 191-198
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) has increased over several decades and now affects about one-fifth of all children in high-income countries (HICs). While the increase continues in lower-income countries, the prevalence of AD might have reached a plateau in HICs.Objectives: To investigate trends in the prevalence of AD and atopic comorbidity in schoolchildren in Sweden.Methods: The study population consisted of three cohorts of children (median age 8 years) in Norrbotten, Sweden, for 1996 (n = 3430), 2006 (n = 2585) and 2017 (n = 2785). An identical questionnaire that included questions from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) protocol was used in all three cohorts. Trends in AD prevalence were estimated, as well as trends in atopic comorbidity. AD prevalence was estimated both according to the ISAAC definition of AD and by adding the reported diagnosis by a physician (D-AD).Results: The prevalence of AD decreased in the last decade, from 22.8% (1996) and 21.3% (2006) to 16.3% (2017; P < 0.001). The prevalence of D-AD was lower, but the same pattern of decrease was seen, from 9.3% (1996) and 9.4% (2006) to 5.7% (2017; P < 0.001). In all three cohorts, AD was more common among girls than boys (18.9% vs. 13.8% in 2017; P < 0.001). Children from the mountain inlands had a higher prevalence of AD than children from coastal cities (22.0% vs. 15.1% in 2017; P < 0.001). In comparing D-AD, there were no significant differences between the sexes or between inland or coastal living. Concomitant asthma increased over the years from 12.2% (1996) to 15.8% (2006) to 23.0% (2017; P < 0.001). Concomitant allergic rhinitis and allergic sensitization increased from 1996 (15.0% and 27.5%) to 2006 (24.7% and 49.5%) but then levelled off until 2017 (21.0% and 46.7%).Conclusions: The prevalence of AD among schoolchildren in Sweden decreased over the study period, whereas atopic comorbidity among children with AD increased. Although a decrease was seen, AD is still common and the increase in atopic comorbidity among children with AD, especially the increase in asthma, is concerning.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Allinson, James P, et al.
(author)
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Changes in lung function in European adults born between 1884 and 1996 and implications for the diagnosis of lung disease: a cross-sectional analysis of ten population-based studies.
- 2022
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In: The Lancet. Respiratory medicine. - : Elsevier. - 2213-2619 .- 2213-2600. ; 10:1, s. 83-94
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- During the past century, socioeconomic and scientific advances have resulted in changes in the health and physique of European populations. Accompanying improvements in lung function, if unrecognised, could result in the misclassification of lung function measurements and misdiagnosis of lung diseases. We therefore investigated changes in population lung function with birth year across the past century, accounting for increasing population height, and examined how such changes might influence the interpretation of lung function measurements.In our analyses of cross-sectional data from ten European population-based studies, we included individuals aged 20-94 years who were born between 1884 and 1996, regardless of previous respiratory diagnoses or symptoms. FEV1, forced vital capacity (FVC), height, weight, and smoking behaviour were measured between 1965 and 2016. We used meta-regression to investigate how FEV1 and FVC (adjusting for age, study, height, sex, smoking status, smoking pack-years, and weight) and the FEV1/FVC ratio (adjusting for age, study, sex, and smoking status) changed with birth year. Using estimates from these models, we graphically explored how mean lung function values would be expected to progressively deviate from predicted values. To substantiate our findings, we used linear regression to investigate how the FEV1 and FVC values predicted by 32 reference equations published between 1961 and 2015 changed with estimated birth year.Across the ten included studies, we included 243465 European participants (mean age 51·4 years, 95% CI 51·4-51·5) in our analysis, of whom 136275 (56·0%) were female and 107190 (44·0%) were male. After full adjustment, FEV1 increased by 4·8 mL/birth year (95% CI 2·6-7·0; p<0·0001) and FVC increased by 8·8 mL/birth year (5·7-12·0; p<0·0001). Birth year-related increases in the FEV1 and FVC values predicted by published reference equations corroborated these findings. This height-independent increase in FEV1 and FVC across the last century will have caused mean population values to progressively exceed previously predicted values. However, the population mean adjusted FEV1/FVC ratio decreased by 0·11 per 100 birth years (95% CI 0·09-0·14; p<0·0001).If current diagnostic criteria remain unchanged, the identified shifts in European values will allow the easier fulfilment of diagnostic criteria for lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but the systematic underestimation of lung disease severity.The European Respiratory Society, AstraZeneca, Chiesi Farmaceutici, GlaxoSmithKline, Menarini, and Sanofi-Genzyme.
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| 6. |
- Axelsson, Malin, et al.
(author)
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Differences in diagnostic patterns of obstructive airway disease between areas and sex in Sweden and Finland : The Nordic EpiLung Study
- 2021
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In: Journal of Asthma. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0277-0903 .- 1532-4303. ; 58:9, s. 1196-1207
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To investigate the current prevalence of physician-diagnosed obstructive airway diseases by respiratory symptoms and by sex in Sweden and Finland. Method: In 2016, a postal questionnaire was answered by 34,072 randomly selected adults in four study areas: Västra Götaland and Norrbotten in Sweden, and Seinäjoki-Vaasa and Helsinki in Finland. Results: The prevalence of asthma symptoms was higher in Norrbotten (13.2%), Seinäjoki-Vaasa (14.8%) and Helsinki (14.4%) than in Västra Götaland (10.7%), and physician-diagnosed asthma was highest in Norrbotten (13.0%) and least in Västra Götaland (10.1%). Chronic productive cough was most common in the Finnish areas (7.7-8.2 % versus 6.3-6.7 %) while the prevalence of physician-diagnosed chronic bronchitis (CB) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) varied between 1.7-2.7% in the four areas. Among individuals with respiratory symptoms, the prevalence of asthma was most common in Norrbotten, while a diagnosis of COPD or CB was most common in Västra Götaland and Seinäjoki-Vaasa. More women than men with respiratory symptoms reported a diagnosis of asthma in Sweden and Seinäjoki-Vaasa but there were no sex differences in Helsinki. In Sweden, more women than men with symptoms of cough or phlegm reported a diagnosis of CB or COPD, while in Finland the opposite was found. Conclusion: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and corresponding diagnoses varied between and within the countries. The proportion reporting a diagnosis of obstructive airway disease among individuals with respiratory symptoms varied, indicating differences in diagnostic patterns both between areas and by sex.
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| 7. |
- Backman, Helena, et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of the global lung function initiative 2012 reference values for spirometry in a Swedish population sample
- 2015
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In: Bmc Pulmonary Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2466. ; 15
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The Global Lung Function Initiative 2012 (GLI) reference values are currently endorsed by several respiratory societies but evaluations of applicability for adults resident in European countries are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the GLI reference values are appropriate for an adult Caucasian Swedish population. Methods: During 2008-2013, clinical examinations including spirometry were performed on general population samples in northern Sweden, in which 501 healthy Caucasian non-smokers were identified. Predicted GLI reference values and Z-scores were calculated for each healthy non-smoking subject and the distributions and mean values for FEV1, FVC and the FEV1/FVC ratio were examined. The prevalence of airway obstruction among these healthy non-smokers was calculated based on the Lower Limit of normal (LLN) criterion (lower fifth percentile) for the FEV1/FVC ratio. Thus, by definition, a prevalence of 5% was expected. Results: The Z-scores for FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC were reasonably, although not perfectly, normally distributed, but not centred on zero. Both predicted FEV1 and, in particular, FVC were lower compared to the observed values in the sample. The deviations were greater among women compared to men. The prevalence of airway obstruction based on the LLN criterion for the FEV1/FVC ratio was 9.4% among women and 2.7% among men. Conclusions: The use of the GLI reference values may produce biased prevalence estimates of airway obstruction in Sweden, especially among women. These results demonstrate the importance of validating the GLI reference values in different countries.
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| 8. |
- Bermúdez Barón, Nicolás, et al.
(author)
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Body mass index increase: a risk factor for forced expiratory volume in 1 s decline for overweight and obese adults with asthma
- 2022
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In: European Respiratory Journal Open Research (ERJ Open Research). - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 2312-0541. ; 8:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background With increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity, it is important to study how body mass index (BMI) change may affect lung function among subjects with asthma. There are few prospective studies on this topic, especially with separate analyses of those with normal and high BMI. The aim of the present study was to prospectively study the association between annual BMI change and annual lung function decline, separately among those with normal initial BMI and overweight/obesity, in an adult asthma cohort. Methods A population-based adult asthma cohort was examined at study entry between 1986 and 2001 and at follow-up between 2012 and 2014 (n=945). Annual BMI change was analysed in association with annual decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC separately in those with normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9) and overweight/obese subjects (BMI >= 25) at study entry. Regression models were used to adjust for sex, age, smoking, inhaled corticosteroids use and occupational exposure to gas, dust or fumes. Results Overweight/obese subjects had lower FEV1 and FVC but slower annual FEV1 and FVC decline compared to those with normal weight. After adjustment through regression modelling, the association between BMI change with FEV1 and FVC decline remained significant for both BMI groups, but with stronger associations among the overweight/obese (FEV1 B-[Overweight/obese]=-25 mL versus B[ normal weight]= -15 mL). However, when including only those with BMI increase during follow-up, the associations remained significant among those with overweight/obesity, but not in the normal-weight group. No associations were seen for FEV1/FVC. Conclusions BMI increase is associated with faster FEV1 and FVC decline among overweight and obese adults with asthma in comparison with their normal-weight counterparts.
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| 9. |
- Bjerg, Anders, 1982, et al.
(author)
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Increase in pollen sensitization in Swedish adults and protective effect of keeping animals in childhood
- 2016
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In: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - : Wiley. - 0954-7894 .- 1365-2222. ; 46:10, s. 1328-1336
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: To date, most studies of the "allergy epidemic" have been based on self-reported data. There is still limited knowledge on time trends in allergic sensitization, especially among adults.OBJECTIVE: To study allergic sensitization, its risk factors, and time trends in prevalence.METHODS: Within West Sweden Asthma Study (WSAS) a population-based sample of 788 adults (17-60y) underwent skin prick tests (SPT) for 11 aeroallergens 2009-2012. Specific IgE was analyzed in 750 of the participants. Those aged 20-46y (n=379) were compared with the European Community Respiratory Health Survey sample aged 20-46y from the same area (n=591) in 1991-1992.RESULTS: Among those aged 20-46y the prevalence of positive SPT to pollen increased; timothy from 17.1% to 29.0% (p<0.001) and birch from 15.6% to 23.7% (p=0.002) between 1991-1992 and 2009-2012. Measurements of specific IgE confirmed these increases. Prevalence of sensitization to all other tested allergens was unchanged. In the full WSAS sample aged 17-60y any positive SPT was seen in 41.9%, and the dominating sensitizers were pollen (34.3%), animals (22.8%) and mites (12.6%). Pollen sensitization was strongly associated with rhinitis, whereas indoor allergens were more associated with asthma. Growing up with livestock or furred pets decreased the risk of sensitization, adjusted odds ratio 0.53 (0.28-0.995) and 0.68 (0.47-0.98) respectively.CONCLUSION: Pollen sensitization has increased in Swedish adults since the early 1990's, while the prevalence of sensitization to other allergens has remained unchanged. This is one plausible explanation for the increase in rhinitis 1990-2008 in Swedish adults, during which time the prevalence of asthma, which is more associated with perennial allergens, was stable. Contact with animals in childhood seems to reduce the risk of sensitization well into adulthood. One major factor contributing to the rise in pollen allergy is a significant increase in levels of birch and grass pollen over the past three decades.
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| 10. |
- Commins, Scott P, et al.
(author)
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Galactose-α-1,3-galactose-specific IgE is associated with anaphylaxis but not asthma.
- 2012
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In: American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine. - 1535-4970 .- 1073-449X. ; 185:7, s. 723-30
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- IgE antibodies to the mammalian oligosaccharide galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-gal) are common in the southeastern United States. These antibodies, which are induced by ectoparasitic ticks, can give rise to positive skin tests or serum assays with cat extract.
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