Has the increase in the prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms reached a plateau in Stockholm, Sweden?

Ekerljung, Linda,1979Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Krefting Research Centre,Department of Internal Medicine, Krefting Research Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg (author)

SETTING: An increase in the prevalence of asthma has previously been reported worldwide. However, the current trend is debatable. OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in the prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms in a defined study area in Stockholm, Sweden, using identical methods. DESIGN: A questionnaire was sent by mail in 1996 and 2007 to randomly selected subjects aged 20-69 years. On both occasions, 8000 subjects received the questionnaire, with response rates of 72% and 68%, respectively. Questions on asthma, respiratory symptoms, asthma medication and possible determinants were included. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess determinants. RESULTS: Ever asthma increased from 8.7% in 1996 to 11.0% in 2007 and physician-diagnosed asthma from 7.6% to 9.3%. The proportion of asthma patients reporting one to two symptoms increased by 14% during the study period. There were few significant changes in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms: wheeze in the previous 12 months (15.9-17.3%), wheezing with breathlessness apart from cold (3.2-4.1%) and recurrent wheeze (8.3-6.8%). There was no major difference in the risk factor pattern between the surveys. CONCLUSION: An increase in the prevalence of asthma with few symptoms as well as an unchanged prevalence of symptoms was demonstrated, which may indicate a change in diagnostic practices.

Andersson, ÅLung and Allergy Research, National Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm (author)
Sundblad, Britt-MarieKarolinska Institutet (author)
Rönmark, Eva,1953Umeå universitet,Yrkes- och miljömedicin(Swepub:umu)evra0004 (author)
Larsson, KjellKarolinska Institutet (author)
Ahlstedt, StaffanKarolinska Institutet (author)
Dahlén, Sven-EricKarolinska Institutet (author)
Lundbäck, Bo,1948Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Krefting Research Centre,Department of Internal Medicine, Krefting Research Centre, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg(Swepub:gu)xlunbo (author)
Göteborgs universitetKrefting Research Centre (creator_code:org_t)

In:The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease14:6, s. 764-7711027-37191815-7920

By the author/editor: Ekerljung, Linda ...; Andersson, Å; Sundblad, Britt- ...; Rönmark, Eva, 19 ...; Larsson, Kjell; Ahlstedt, Staffa ...; show more...; Dahlén, Sven-Eri ...; Lundbäck, Bo, 19 ...; show less...

About the subject

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES: MEDICAL AND HEAL ...; and Clinical Medicin ...; and Respiratory Medi ...

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES: MEDICAL AND HEAL ...; and Basic Medicine; and Immunology in th ...

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES: MEDICAL AND HEAL ...; and Health Sciences; and Public Health Gl ...

By the university: University of Gothenburg; Umeå University; Karolinska Institutet

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