SwePub - sökning: WFRF:(Ekerljung Linda 1979)

Numrering	Referens	Omslagsbild	Hitta
1.	Axelsson, Malin, et al. (författare) Differences in diagnostic patterns of obstructive airway disease between areas and sex in Sweden and Finland : The Nordic EpiLung Study 2021 Ingår i: Journal of Asthma. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0277-0903 .- 1532-4303. ; 58:9, s. 1196-1207 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)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.
2.	Axelsson, Malin, 1964-, et al. (författare) Underdiagnosis and misclassification of COPD in Sweden - A Nordic Epilung study 2023 Ingår i: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 217 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Introduction: The prevalence of COPD tends to level off in populations with decreasing prevalence of smoking but the extent of underdiagnosis in such populations needs further investigation.Aim: To investigate underdiagnosis and misclassification of COPD with a focus on socio-economy, lifestyle determinants and healthcare utilization.Method: The 1839 participants were selected from two ongoing large-scale epidemiological research programs: The Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden Studies and the West Sweden Asthma Study. COPDGOLD was defined according to the fixed post-bronchodilator spirometric criteria FEV1/FVC<0.70 in combination with respiratory symptoms. Results: Among the 128 participants who fulfilled the criteria for COPDGOLD, the underdiagnosis was 83.6% (n = 107) of which 57.9% were men. The undiagnosed participants were younger, had higher FEV1% of predicted and less frequently a family history of bronchitis. One in four of the undiagnosed had utilized healthcare and had more frequently utilized healthcare due to a burden of respiratory symptoms than the general population without COPD. Underdiagnosis was not related to educational level. Misclassification of COPD was characterized by being a woman with low education, ever smoker, having respiratory symptoms and having a previous asthma diagnosis.Conclusion: In the high income country Sweden, the underdiagnosis of COPD was highly prevalent. Reduced underdiagnosis can contribute to risk factor modification, medical treatment and self-management strategies in early stages of the disease, which may prevent disease progression and improve the quality of life among those affected. Therefore, there is a need to increase the use of spirometry in primary care to improve the diagnostic accuracy.
3.	Backman, Helena, et al. (författare) Decreased COPD prevalence in Sweden after decades of decrease in smoking 2020 Ingår i: Respiratory Research. - : Springer Nature. - 1465-9921 .- 1465-993X. ; 21 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract BackgroundCOPD has increased in prevalence worldwide over several decades until the first decade after the millennium shift. Evidence from a few recent population studies indicate that the prevalence may be levelling or even decreasing in some areas in Europe. Since the 1970s, a substantial and ongoing decrease in smoking prevalence has been observed in several European countries including Sweden. The aim of the current study was to estimate the prevalence, characteristics and risk factors for COPD in the Swedish general population. A further aim was to estimate the prevalence trend of COPD in Northern Sweden from 1994 to 2009.MethodsTwo large random population samples were invited to spirometry with bronchodilator testing and structured interviews in 2009–2012, one in south-western and one in northern Sweden, n = 1839 participants in total. The results from northern Sweden were compared to a study performed 15 years earlier in the same area and age-span. The diagnosis of COPD required both chronic airway obstruction (CAO) and the presence of respiratory symptoms, in line with the GOLD documents since 2017. CAO was defined as post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 0.70, with sensitivity analyses based on the FEV1/FVC < lower limit of normal (LLN) criterion.ResultsBased on the fixed ratio definition, the prevalence of COPD was 7.0% (men 8.3%; women 5.8%) in 2009–2012. The prevalence of moderate to severe (GOLD ≥ 2) COPD was 3.5%. The LLN based results were about 30% lower. Smoking, occupational exposures, and older age were risk factors for COPD, whereof smoking was the most dominating risk factor. In northern Sweden the prevalence of COPD, particularly moderate to severe COPD, decreased significantly from 1994 to 2009, and the decrease followed a decrease in smoking.ConclusionsThe prevalence of COPD has decreased in Sweden, and the prevalence of moderate to severe COPD was particularly low. The decrease follows a major decrease in smoking prevalence over several decades, but smoking remained the dominating risk factor for COPD.
4.	Backman, Helena, et al. (författare) Level of Education Modifies Asthma Mortality in Norway and Sweden. The Nordic EpiLung Study 2024 Ingår i: JOURNAL OF ASTHMA AND ALLERGY. - : Dove Medical Press. - 1178-6965. ; 17, s. 209-218 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Background and Aim: The relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), asthma and mortality is complex and multifaceted, and it is not established if educational level modifies the association between asthma and mortality. The aim was to study the association between asthma and mortality in Sweden and Norway and to what extent educational level modifies this association. Participants and Methods: Within the Nordic EpiLung Study, >56,000 individuals aged 30-69 years participated in population -based surveys on asthma and associated risk factors in Sweden and Norway during 2005-2007. Data on educational level and 10-year all -cause mortality were linked by national authorities. The fraction of mortality risk attributable to asthma was calculated, and Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for mortality related to asthma, stratified by educational level. Results: In total, 5.5% of all deaths was attributed to asthma. When adjusted for potential confounders, the HR for mortality related to asthma was 1.71 (95% CI 1.52-1.93). Those with primary level of education had higher hazard of all -cause death related to asthma than those with tertiary level (HR 1.80, 95% CI 1.48-2.18, vs HR 1.39, 95% CI 0.99-1.95). Conclusion: Asthma was associated with an overall 71% increased all -cause mortality and 5.5% of deaths can be attributed to asthma. Educational levels modified the risk of mortality associated with asthma, with the highest risk among those with primary education.
5.	Backman, Helena, 1979-, et al. (författare) Reference values for spirometry - report from the Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden studies. 2015 Ingår i: European clinical respiratory journal. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2001-8525. ; 2, s. Article number 26375- Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Abnormal lung function is commonly identified by comparing observed spirometric values to corresponding reference values. It is recommended that such reference values for spirometry are evaluated and updated frequently. The aim of this study was to estimate new reference values for Swedish adults by fitting a multivariable regression model to a healthy non-smoking general population sample from northern Sweden. Further aims were to evaluate the external validity of the obtained reference values on a contemporary sample from south-western Sweden, and to compare them to the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) reference values.
6.	Bashir, Muwada Bashir Awad, et al. (författare) Computational phenotyping of obstructive airway diseases: protocol for a systematic review 2022 Ingår i: Systematic Reviews. - : Springer Nature. - 2046-4053. ; 11:1 Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract Background: Over the last decade, computational sciences have contributed immensely to characterization of phenotypes of airway diseases, but it is difficult to compare derived phenotypes across studies, perhaps as a result of the different decisions that fed into these phenotyping exercises. We aim to perform a systematic review of studies using computational approaches to phenotype obstructive airway diseases in children and adults.Methods and analysis: We will search PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for papers published between 2010 and 2020. Conferences proceedings, reference list of included papers, and experts will form additional sources of literature. We will include observational epidemiological studies that used a computational approach to derive phenotypes of chronic airway diseases, whether in a general population or in a clinical setting. Two reviewers will independently screen the retrieved studies for eligibility, extract relevant data, and perform quality appraisal of included studies. A third reviewer will arbitrate any disagreements in these processes. Quality appraisal of the studies will be undertaken using the Effective Public Health Practice Project quality assessment tool. We will use summary tables to describe the included studies. We will narratively synthesize the generated evidence, providing critical assessment of the populations, variables, and computational approaches used in deriving the phenotypes across studiesConclusion: As progress continues to be made in the area of computational phenotyping of chronic obstructive airway diseases, this systematic review, the first on this topic, will provide the state of the art on the field and highlight important perspectives for future works.Ethics and dissemination: No ethical approval is needed for this work is based only on the published literature and does not involve collection of any primary or human data.
7.	Bashir, Muwada Bashir Awad, et al. (författare) Interaction of smoking and social status on the risk of respiratory outcomes in a Swedish adult population : A Nordic Epilung study 2023 Ingår i: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 211 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Background: Evidence abounds on the independent roles of social class and smoking in relation to obstructive airway diseases, but data are sparse on the impact of their interaction. We evaluated whether and to what extent social class and smoking interact in relation to risk of respiratory diseases in adults.Methods: Data from the population-based studies, West Sweden Asthma Study (WSAS, n = 23,753) and Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden studies (OLIN, n = 6519), were used, constituting randomly selected adults aged 20–75 years. Bayesian network analysis was used to estimate the probability for the interaction between smoking and socioeconomic status in relation to respiratory outcomes.Results: Occupational and educational SES modified the association between smoking and the probability of allergic and non-allergic asthma. Former smokers who were at intermediate non manual employees and manual workers in service had higher probability of allergic asthma compared to professionals and executives. Furthermore, former smokers with primary education had higher probability of non-allergic asthma than those with secondary and tertiary education. Similarly, former smokers among professionals and executives had higher probability of non-allergic asthma than manual and home workers and primary educated. Likewise, allergic asthma due to former smoking was higher among highly educated compared to low educated.Conclusions: Beyond their independent roles, socioeconomic status and smoking interact in defining the risk of respiratory diseases. Clearer understanding of this interaction can help to identify population subgroups at most need of public health interventions.
8.	Bjerg, Anders, 1982, et al. (författare) Gas, dust, and fumes exposure is associated with mite sensitization and with asthma in mite-sensitized adults 2015 Ingår i: Allergy. European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0105-4538 .- 1398-9995. ; 70:5, s. 604-607 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Occupational exposure to gas, dust, and fumes (GDF) increases the risk of asthma and eczema. We investigated the role of sensitization in the association between GDF and allergic conditions. A population-based sample of 788 adults from the West Sweden Asthma Study completed questionnaires and skin prick tests. After adjustment for confounders, GDF exposure was associated with a doubled risk of sensitization to mites, but not with other allergens. Mite sensitization also modified the effect of GDF on asthma. In mite-sensitized subjects, GDF was associated with physician-diagnosed asthma, adjusted OR 2.9 (1.2-7.2), and with wheeze, OR 2.4 (1.1-5.3). In non-mite-sensitized subjects, the corresponding ORs were 1.1 (0.5-2.6) and 0.6 (0.3-1.3). GDF was independently associated with eczema regardless of mite sensitization, but not with rhinitis. These novel findings suggest that components of GDF may act as adjuvants that facilitate sensitization to mites and that mite-sensitized individuals may be especially susceptible to inhalant occupational exposures.
9.	Hedman, Linnea, 1979-, et al. (författare) Electronic cigarette use in relation to changes in smoking status and respiratory symptoms 2024 Ingår i: Tobacco Induced Diseases. - : European Publishing. - 1617-9625. ; 22 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract INTRODUCTION: How e-cigarette use relates to changes in smoking status and respiratory symptoms in the population remains controversial. The aim was to study the association between e-cigarette use and, changes in smoking status and changes in respiratory symptoms.METHODS: A prospective, population-based study of random samples of the population (age 16–69 years) was performed within The Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden (OLIN) study and West Sweden Asthma Study (WSAS). A validated postal questionnaire containing identical questions was used in OLIN and WSAS at baseline in 2006–2008 and at follow-up in 2016. In total, 17325 participated on both occasions. Questions about respiratory symptoms and tobacco smoking were included in both surveys, while e-cigarette use was added in 2016.RESULTS: In 2016, 1.6% used e-cigarettes, and it was significantly more common in persistent tobacco smokers (10.6%), than in those who quit smoking (2.1%), started smoking (7.8%), or had relapsed into tobacco smoking at follow-up (6.4%) (p<0.001). Among current smokers at baseline, tobacco smoking cessation was less common in e-cigarette users than e-cigarette non-users (14.2% vs 47.6%, p<0.001) and there was no association with a reduction in the number of tobacco cigarettes smoked per day. Those who were persistent smokers reported increasing respiratory symptoms. In contrast, the symptoms decreased among those who quit tobacco smoking, but there was no significant difference in respiratory symptoms between quitters with and without e-cigarette use.CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarette use was associated with persistent tobacco smoking and reporting respiratory symptoms. We found no association between e-cigarette use and tobacco smoking cessation, reduction of number of tobacco cigarettes smoked per day or reduction of respiratory symptoms.
10.	Al-Shamkhi, Nasrin, et al. (författare) Important non-disease-related determinants of exhaled nitric oxide levels in mild asthma – results from the Swedish GA2LEN study 2016 Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - : Wiley. - 0954-7894 .- 1365-2222. ; 46:9, s. 1185-1193 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) has a potential clinical role in asthma management. Constitutive factors such as age, height and gender, as well as individual characteristics, such as IgE sensitization and smoking, affect the levels of FeNO in population-based studies. However, their effect on FeNO in subjects with asthma has been scarcely studied. Objective: To study the effects on FeNO of these commonly regarded determinants, as demonstrated in healthy subjects, as well as menarche age and parental smoking, in a population of asthmatics. Material and Methods: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide was measured in 557 subjects with asthma from the Swedish GA2LEN study. Allergic sensitization was assessed by skin prick tests to most common aeroallergens. Upper airway comorbidities, smoking habits, smoking exposure during childhood and hormonal status (for women) were questionnaire-assessed. Results: Male gender (P < 0.001), greater height (P < 0.001) and sensitization to both perennial allergens and pollen (P < 0.001) are related to higher FeNO levels. Current smoking (P < 0.001) and having both parents smoking during childhood, vs. having neither (P < 0.001) or only one parent smoking (P = 0.002), are related to lower FeNO. Women with menarche between 9 and 11 years of age had lower FeNO than those with menarche between 12 and 14 years of age (P = 0.03) or 15 and 17 years of age (P = 0.003). Conclusions and Clinical relevance: Interpreting FeNO levels in clinical practice is complex, and constitutional determinants, as well as smoking and IgE sensitisation, are of importance in asthmatic subjects and should be accounted for when interpreting FeNO levels. Furthermore, menarche age and parental smoking during childhood and their effects on lowering FeNO deserve further studies. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
11.	Andersson, Karin, 1972, et al. (författare) Survivin controls biogenesis of microRNA in smokers: A link to pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. 2017 Ingår i: Biochimica et biophysica acta. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-3002. ; 1863:3, s. 663-673 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract MicroRNAs (miRs) represent a part of epigenetic control of autoimmunity gaining increasing attention in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since cigarette smoking plays important role in RA pathogenesis and reprograms transcriptional profile of miRNAs, we ask if the onco-protein survivin, a novel biomarker of RA, may provide a link between smoking and miRNA. Studying survivin expression in leukocytes of 144 female RA patients we observed that smoking patients had higher survivin transcription and a remarkable spreading of survivin isoforms. This was associated with restricted pattern and low production of miRs. Additionally, miRNA processing enzymes Dicer and DGRC8 were decreased in the patients with survivin isoform spreading. The direct contribution of survivin in miRs biogenesis was confirmed by a massive increase of miRs production following inhibition of survivin in leukocyte cultures. Dicer is shown to mediate these effects of survivin. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated binding of survivin to the Dicer promoter region. Dicer expression increased 5-folds following survivin inhibition. Taken together, this study presents experimental evidence of a novel cellular function of survivin, control of miRs biogenesis. Up-regulation of survivin in smokers suggests its role as effector of the adverse epigenetic control in RA.
12.	Axelsson, Malin, 1964, et al. (författare) Chronic bronchitis in West Sweden - a matter of smoking and social class 2016 Ingår i: European Clinical Respiratory Journal. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2001-8525. ; 3 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Background: Although chronic bronchitis is associated with impaired quality of life, hospitalisations and increased mortality, it has been less in focus after the introduction of the term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are no recent published data on the prevalence of chronic bronchitis from the Scandinavian countries. Aim: The main aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic bronchitis in West Sweden by using data from a large-scale epidemiological study of the general population. A further aim was to identify current risk factors for chronic bronchitis in a population with a major decrease in the proportion of smokers. Methods: From the 18,087 questionnaire responders out of 30,000 invited to participate at the West Sweden Asthma Study, 2,000 subjects were randomly selected and invited to detailed clinical examinations performed during 2009-2013. A total of 1,172 subjects aged 17-79 participated in the examinations which included, among others, spirometry and structured interviews. Chronic bronchitis was defined according to reported symptoms. Results: The overall prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 7.2% (men 7.6%; women 6.8% ns), and it was 8.7% in subjects older than age 60. Chronic bronchitis was strongly associated with smoking, defined both as current smoking status and pack-years. Other risk factors were increasing age, low socio-economic class and urban living. Of those with chronic bronchitis, 22% fulfilled the GOLD criteria of COPD. Conclusion: The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was somewhat lower than found by studies in Sweden in the 1980s and the prevalence was now similar in men and women. Although smoking was still the dominating risk factor for chronic bronchitis, the relative importance of smoking had decreased parallel with a decreasing smoking prevalence, while the relative importance of other factors than smoking had increased compared to previous studies.
13.	Axelsson, Malin, et al. (författare) Personality and unachieved treatment goals related to poor adherence to asthma medication in a newly developed adherence questionnaire : a population-based study 2016 Ingår i: Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine. - : BioMed Central. - 1828-695X .- 2049-6958. ; 11:42 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Background Health-care professionals have a responsibility to be attentive to patients’ adherence behavior but it could be difficult to identify poor adherence in the context of clinical practice. Assessment of personality could be used to identify individuals who are in need for support with their adherence behavior. To our knowledge, existing adherence questionnaires are not based on individuals reflecting asthmatics in the general population and there is limited research describing adherence with asthma medication in relation to personal goals with the treatment. The aim was to develop and validate an adherence questionnaire in adult individuals with asthma from the general population and to assess adherence in relation to personality traits and goals with the asthma medication using the developed questionnaire. Methods The study was conducted in three phases: 1. A preliminary postal 46-item questionnaire was refined after psychometric testing (n = 157). 2. The questionnaire was validated (n = 104). 3. The developed adherence questionnaire was analyzed in relation to personality traits and achieved goals with the asthma medication. Adult respondents with physician diagnosed asthma using asthma medications were selected from the population-based West Sweden Asthma Study. The respondents completed the Neuroticism, Extraversion and Openness to Experience Five-Factor Inventory and the Medication Adherence Report Scale and stated their goals with the asthma medication. Data were analyzed using t-tests, correlations, multiple regression and principal component analysis. Results A final questionnaire was developed consisting of ten items organized in three subscales - “medication routines”, “self-adjusting the medication” and “concerns about side-effects”. Two of the subscales - “medication routines” and “self-adjusting the medication” – were associated with the Medication Adherence Report Scale. The subscale “medication routines” was associated with the personality traits – Conscientiousness and Neuroticism and unachieved goals with the asthma medication. Conclusions The developed questionnaire appears to be useful for measuring adherence to asthma medication in adult individuals with asthma. The study suggests that both individual differences and personal treatment goals need to be addressed in efforts to promote adherence to asthma medication treatment.
14.	Axelsson, Malin, 1964, et al. (författare) The significance of asthma follow-up consultations for adherence to asthma medication, asthma medication beliefs and asthma control 2015 Ingår i: Nursing Research and Practice. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-1429 .- 2090-1437. ; 2015 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Objective. The aim was to investigate adherence to asthma medication treatment, medication beliefs, and asthma control in relation to asthma follow-up consultations in asthmatics in the general population. A further aim was to describe associations between adherence, medication beliefs, and asthma control.Method. In the population-based West Sweden Asthma Study, data allowing calculation of adherence for 4.5 years based on pharmacy records were obtained from 165 adult asthmatics. Additional data were collected through questionnaires and structured interviews.Results. The mean adherence value for filled prescriptions for regular asthma medication was 68% (median 55.3%) but varied over the year under study. Adherence to combination inhalers with corticosteroids and long-acting beta2agonists was higher than adherence to single inhalers with corticosteroids only. More than one-third of participants reported not having seen an asthma nurse or physician for several years. Regular asthma follow-up consultations were associated with both higher adherence and the belief that asthma medication was necessary but were not associated with asthma control.Conclusions. Adherence to asthma medication treatment was low and varied over the year under study. The current study suggests that quality improvements in asthma care are needed if adherence to asthma medication is to be improved.
15.	Bashir, Muwada Bashir Awad, et al. (författare) Socioeconomic status and different forms of rhinitis in Swedish adults 2024 Ingår i: Clinical and translational allergy. - 2045-7022. ; 14:6 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Rhinitis encompasses diverse forms. Each form has distinct pathophysiology and clinical manifestations and may be influenced by differential risk factors. The association between socioeconomic status (SES) and different forms of rhinitis remains poorly understood. Our aim was to examine SES variations in allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis in adults.Based on a 2016 postal questionnaire survey within the West Sweden Asthma Study, we analyzed data from 36,213 subjects aged 16-75years. The measures of SES were levels of education and occupation. Adjusted logistic regression was used to examine associations between SES and the rhinitis outcomes.Attaining a secondary school and tertiary education, compared to a primary school, were associated with increased risk of allergic rhinitis (secondary OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.22-1.45; tertiary 1.54, 1.41-1.69) and chronic rhinitis (secondary 1.18, 1.08-1.29; tertiary 1.17, 1.06-1.28). The influence of occupation was consistent with respect to allergic rhinitis. For instance, compared to the lowest occupational skill level, the highest level (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.04-1.48) and the lower high occupation levels (1.24, 1.04-1.49) were associated with an increased risk of allergic rhinitis. No significant link was found between education and chronic rhinosinusitis or between occupation levels and risk of either chronic rhinitis or chronic rhinosinusitis.Individuals with higher education and those at higher occupational levels may be at higher risk of having different forms of rhinitis than those at lower education and occupation levels. Assessment of rhinitis burden via SES can be one strategy to develop preventive strategies.
16.	Bashir, Muwada Bashir Awad, et al. (författare) Socioeconomic status and different forms of rhinitis in Swedish adults 2024 Ingår i: Clinical and Translational Allergy. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2045-7022. ; 14:6 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Background: Rhinitis encompasses diverse forms. Each form has distinct pathophysiology and clinical manifestations and may be influenced by differential risk factors. The association between socioeconomic status (SES) and different forms of rhinitis remains poorly understood. Our aim was to examine SES variations in allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis in adults.Methods: Based on a 2016 postal questionnaire survey within the West Sweden Asthma Study, we analyzed data from 36,213 subjects aged 16–75 years. The measures of SES were levels of education and occupation. Adjusted logistic regression was used to examine associations between SES and the rhinitis outcomes.Results: Attaining a secondary school and tertiary education, compared to a primary school, were associated with increased risk of allergic rhinitis (secondary OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.22–1.45; tertiary 1.54, 1.41–1.69) and chronic rhinitis (secondary 1.18, 1.08–1.29; tertiary 1.17, 1.06–1.28). The influence of occupation was consistent with respect to allergic rhinitis. For instance, compared to the lowest occupational skill level, the highest level (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.04–1.48) and the lower high occupation levels (1.24, 1.04–1.49) were associated with an increased risk of allergic rhinitis. No significant link was found between education and chronic rhinosinusitis or between occupation levels and risk of either chronic rhinitis or chronic rhinosinusitis.Conclusion: Individuals with higher education and those at higher occupational levels may be at higher risk of having different forms of rhinitis than those at lower education and occupation levels. Assessment of rhinitis burden via SES can be one strategy to develop preventive strategies.
17.	Bjerg, Anders, 1982, et al. (författare) Higher Risk of Wheeze in Female than Male Smokers. Results from the Swedish GA(2)LEN Study 2013 Ingår i: Plos One. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 8:1 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Background Women who smoke have higher risk of lung function impairment, COPD and lung cancer than smoking men. An influence of sex hormones has been demonstrated, but the mechanisms are unclear and the associations often subject to confounding. This was a study of wheeze in relation to smoking and sex with adjustment for important confounders. Methods In 2008 the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN) questionnaire was mailed to 45.000 Swedes (age 16–75 years), and 26.851 (60%) participated. “Any wheeze”: any wheeze during the last 12 months. “Asthmatic wheeze”: wheeze with breathlessness apart from colds. Results Any wheeze and asthmatic wheeze was reported by 17.3% and 7.1% of women, vs. 15.8% and 6.1% of men (both p<0.001). Although smoking prevalence was similar in both sexes, men had greater cumulative exposure, 16.2 pack-years vs. 12.8 in women (p<0.001). Most other exposures and characteristics associated with wheeze were significantly overrepresented in men. Adjusted for these potential confounders and pack-years, current smoking was a stronger risk factor for any wheeze in women aged <53 years, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.85 (1.56–2.19) vs. 1.60 (1.30–1.96) in men. Cumulative smoke exposure and current smoking each interacted significantly with female sex, aOR 1.02 per pack-year (p<0.01) and aOR 1.28 (p = 0.04) respectively. Female compared to male current smokers also had greater risk of asthmatic wheeze, aOR 1.53 vs. 1.03, interaction aOR 1.52 (p = 0.02). These interactions were not seen in age ≥53 years. Discussion In addition to the increased risk of COPD and lung cancer female, compared to male, smokers are at greater risk of significant wheezing symptoms in younger age. This became clearer after adjustment for important confounders including cumulative smoke exposure. Estrogen has previously been shown to increase the bioactivation of several compounds in tobacco smoke, which may enhance smoke-induced airway inflammation in fertile women.
18.	Bjerg, Anders, 1982, et al. (författare) Increase in pollen sensitization in Swedish adults and protective effect of keeping animals in childhood 2016 Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - : Wiley. - 0954-7894 .- 1365-2222. ; 46:10, s. 1328-1336 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)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.
19.	Bjerg, Anders, et al. (författare) Increased Prevalence of Symptoms of Rhinitis but Not of Asthma between 1990 and 2008 in Swedish Adults : Comparisons of the ECRHS and GA(2)LEN Surveys 2011 Ingår i: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 6:2, s. e16082- Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Background: The increase in asthma prevalence until 1990 has been well described. Thereafter, time trends are poorly known, due to the low number of high quality studies. The preferred method for studying time trends in prevalence is repeated surveys of similar populations. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of asthma symptoms and their major determinants, rhinitis and smoking, in Swedish young adults in 1990 and 2008. Methods: In 1990 the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) studied respiratory symptoms, asthma, rhinitis and smoking in a population-based sample (86% participation) in Sweden. In 2008 the same symptom questions were included in the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN) survey (60% participation). Smoking questions were however differently worded. The regions (Gothenburg, Uppsala, Umea) and age interval (20-44 years) surveyed both in 1990 (n = 8,982) and 2008 (n = 9,156) were analysed. Results: The prevalence of any wheeze last 12 months decreased from 20% to 16% (p<0.001), and the prevalence of "asthma-related symptoms" was unchanged at 7%. However, either having asthma attacks or using asthma medications increased from 6% to 8% (p<0.001), and their major risk factor, rhinitis, increased from 22% to 31%. Past and present smoking decreased. Conclusion: From 1990 to 2008 the prevalence of obstructive airway symptoms common in asthma did not increase in Swedish young adults. This supports the few available international findings suggesting the previous upward trend in asthma has recently reached a plateau. The fact that wheeze did not increase despite the significant increment in rhinitis, may at least in part be due to the decrease in smoking.
20.	Borna, Eivind, et al. (författare) Changes in the prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms in western Sweden between 2008 and 2016. 2019 Ingår i: Allergy. - : Wiley. - 1398-9995 .- 0105-4538. ; 74:9, s. 1703-1715 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, with a noticeable increase in prevalence during the second half of the 20th century. Recent studies assessing the prevalence trends among adults have been inconsistent. We investigated the changes in the prevalence of asthma, respiratory symptoms and risk factors between 2008 and 2016 in western Sweden.The West Sweden Asthma Study (WSAS) is a population-based study which started in 2008 (WSAS I) and then repeated in 2016 (WSAS II) in western Sweden. Randomly selected individuals aged 16-75 years (N=18087 in 2008 and N=24534 in 2016) completed a questionnaire regarding obstructive lung diseases, respiratory symptoms, potential risk factors and also questions from the GA2 LEN survey.The prevalence of reported ever asthma, physician diagnosed asthma, use of asthma medication, and current asthma increased significantly from 9.6% to 11%, 8.3% to 10%, 8.6% to 9.8%, and 8.1% to 9.1% respectively, between 2008 and 2016. There were also increases in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms during the same period. The greatest increase occurred in young adults aged 16-25 years. Female gender, allergic rhinitis, obesity and family history of asthma remained the strongest risk factors for asthma in 2016 as it was in 2008.There were moderate increases in asthma and respiratory symptoms in adults in western Sweden between 2008 and 2016, the greatest increase occurring in younger adults. The potential risk factors for asthma remained the same during the study period. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
21.	Danielsson, Aina, 1953, et al. (författare) Pulmonary function in middle-aged patients with idiopathic scoliosis with onset before the age of 10 years 2015 Ingår i: Spine Deformity. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2212-134X. ; 3:5, s. 451-461 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Study Design Consecutive patients with idiopathic scoliosis diagnosed before age 10 attended a clinical follow-up at least 10 years after treatment. Objectives To evaluate the pulmonary function in adulthood after treatment with brace or surgery before maturity. Summary of Background Data Long-term studies of these patients have not been published. Methods One hundred twenty-four patients (69% of the original group) underwent radiography, spirometry, and answered symptom questionnaires. A total of 73 patients had spirometries before treatment enabling longitudinal evaluation. Overall, 68 braced only (BT) and 56 surgically treated (ST) were analyzed in detail. A population-based control group was used. Results At follow-up, the mean age was 41.5 years and the mean curve size 36 degrees (26% of the curves >45 degrees). The full patient group had a significantly reduced pulmonary function (as measured by the forced vital capacity [FVC], percentage of predicted) compared with the control group, mean 85% versus 102% (p <.0001). Both subgroups of BT and ST patients showed a significant reduction, more in the ST than the BT group (means 79% and 90%, respectively, p =.0003). The most important risk factor for a low lung function at follow-up was a low initial FVC value. Initial curve size correlated with pulmonary function both before treatment and at follow-up. Most surgically treated patients, who had larger curves before treatment, did not improve their pulmonary function after surgery. Conclusions Both braced and surgically treated patients had reduced pulmonary function at the age of around 40 years. The pulmonary function did not worsen over time in most patients. There was no difference in terms of symptoms between patient groups and controls. Initial curve size was found to be of great importance for pulmonary function. Initial spirometry and follow-up in selected patients is important. Level of Evidence III. © 2015 Scoliosis Research Society.
22.	Ek, A., et al. (författare) Chronic rhinosinusitis in asthma is a negative predictor of quality of life: results from the Swedish GA(2)LEN survey 2013 Ingår i: Allergy. - : Wiley. - 0105-4538 .- 1398-9995. ; 68:10, s. 1314-1321 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract BackgroundAsthma and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) both impair quality of life, but the quality-of-life impact of comorbid asthma and CRS is poorly known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of CRS and other relevant factors on quality of life in asthmatic subjects. MethodsThis Swedish cohort (age 17-76years) consists of 605 well-characterized asthmatics with and without CRS, 110 individuals with CRS only, and 226 controls and is part of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN) survey. The Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (mAQLQ), the Euro Quality of Life (EQ-5D) health questionnaire, spirometry, skin prick test (SPT), exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), smell test, and peak nasal inspiratory flow were used. ResultsSubjects having both asthma and CRS have lower mAQLQ scores in all domains (P<0.001) and a lower EQ-5D index value and EQ-5D VAS value (P<0.001) compared to those with asthma only. Asthmatics with CRS have significantly lower FEV1%pred and FVC%pred (88.4 [85.1-91.7] and 99.9 [96.7-103.0], respectively) compared with asthma only (91.9 [90.3-93.4] and 104.0 [102.5-105.5], respectively P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis shows that low asthma quality of life is associated with having CRS (P<0.0001), lower lung function (P=0.008), current smoking (P=0.01), BMI>30kg/m(2) (P=0.04), high age (P=0.03), and a negative SPT (P=0.04). ConclusionsComorbid CRS was a significant and independent negative predictor of quality of life in asthmatics. Other negative factors were lower lung function, current smoking, obesity, advanced age, and having nonatopic asthma.
23.	Ekerljung, Linda, 1979 (författare) Asthma in West Sweden - a translational study from epidemiology to proteomics 2012 Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract Asthma has been increasing in prevalence and morbidity, however it is unclear if the increase continues. Asthma has long been regarded as a single disease entity, but is now recognised as a heterogenic disease with different phenotypes. The overall aim was to investigate asthma and selected phenotypes in the population with regard to prevalence, medication use and differences in mechanism. In an epidemiologic study of 18 870 responders to a postal questionnaire, living in Gothenburg and Västra Götaland, the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 8.3%. Compared with a study conducted 18 years ago on the island of Hisingen, the prevalence of most respiratory symptoms had decreased, while there was a small increase in asthma prevalence and a significant increase in allergic rhinitis. As an epidemiological proxy to severe asthma, multi-symptom asthma (MSA) was defined from responses to the questionnaire. The prevalence of MSA was 2% in the population and 24% among asthmatics. The definition was verified in a subgroup of subjects invited to our research clinic. MSA was associated with signs of more severe disease, such as lower lung function, more airway inflammation, hyper-responsiveness and more severe health outcomes. Of subjects with MSA, 92% used asthma medication, compared with 61% of other asthmatic subjects. Inhaled corticosteroids were used by 70% of subjects with MSA, who also reported more frequent use of asthma medication. Selected participants from three phenotypes of asthma, and healthy controls were included in a proteomics study where several differences in protein expression patterns could be detected in nasal lavage fluid. In total 193 proteins was identified with a fold change of at least 1.3 as compared to healthy, these proteins represent different biological functions and pathways between phenotypes. We conclude that the previous increase in asthma prevalence has ceased and that respiratory symptoms are decreasing. MSA is common among asthmatics and is related to signs of more severe disease, hence MSA can be used an epidemiological marker of disease severity. Medication use is high in MSA, however under-treatment occurs. Further, quantitative proteomics on nasal lavage fluid can be used to identify differences in protein expression between asthma phenotypes, and possibly to detect differences in mechanism.
24.	Ekerljung, Linda, 1979, et al. (författare) FinEsS-Stockholm and the Stockholm adult asthma study 2008 Ingår i: The clinical respiratory journal. - 1752-6981. ; 22 Suppl 1, s. 127-128 Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract Abstract Two major studies on asthma and respiratory symptoms are presently in progress in Stockholm. The FinEsS-studies has been ongoing since 1996, with a follow-up study preformed in 2006 and a new cohort selected in 2007. The FinEsS studies focus on prevalence and incidence of asthma and respiratory symptoms in a general population. Clinical follow-up surveys will also target COPD. Further aims include remission and relapse of disease and symptoms and their determinants. The Stockholm adult Asthma Study (SaAS) began in the spring of 2007 and data is being collected presently. The SaAS study focus on the medical care and medication given to asthmatics in Stockholm, and the study population consists of asthmatics found in the two Swedish cohort studies.
25.	Ekerljung, Linda, 1979, et al. (författare) Five-fold increase in use of inhaled corticosteroids over 18 years in the general adult population in West Sweden. 2014 Ingår i: Respiratory medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1532-3064 .- 0954-6111. ; 108:5, s. 685-693 Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract Asthma medication was increasingly used during the second part of the past century. There are few detailed data from population studies on use of asthma medication. The current study aimed to determine the use and determinants of asthma medication in West Sweden and to assess changes during the last two decades.

Skapa referenser, mejla, bekava och länka

Länka till träfflistan

Träfflista för sökning "WFRF:(Ekerljung Linda 1979) "

Avgränsa träffmängd

År