To assess the prevalence of asthma, chronic bronchitis and respiratory symptoms, and to calculate risk factors for them, we performed a postal survey in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. During the spring of 1996, questionnaires were mailed to a random sample of 8000 individuals aged 20-69. The total response rate was 76%, with 6062 complete answers. The prevalence of having ever had asthma was 7.2%, physician-diagnosed asthma was 6.6% and physician-diagnosed chronic bronchitis was 3.7%. Asthma was significantly more common among women than men, but no gender differences existed in prevalence of chronic bronchitis. The most common respiratory symptom was sputum production when coughing, reported by 27%. During the previous 12 months, wheezing had occurred in 20% and attacks of shortness of breath in 13% of subjects. Generally, the prevalence of different respiratory symptoms were significantly higher among smokers. The most important risk factor for asthma was a family history of asthma (Odds ratio:OR 3.3). Multivariate analysis revealed that being a member of the socioeconomic group, manual workers, was associated with a significantly increased risk for chronic productive cough (OR 1.7), and for wheezing during the previous 12 months (OR 1.7). Manual workers of both genders had the highest prevalence of asthma, chronic productive cough and wheezing during the previous 12 months. The prevalence of asthma in Helsinki was higher than previously found in Finland, and was at a similar level to that of other Nordic countries. In contrast, prevalence of chronic bronchitis was lower than previously shown in Finland.
Background and Aim: Normal spirometric values and prediction equations are largely unknown for Tibet residents. This study aimed to determine spirometric values and establish prediction equations for healthy Tibet residents. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study enrolled 2909 healthy, non-smoking Tibetans aged 15-98 years. A multistage cluster sampling strategy was used for sample selection. Anthropometric and spi-rometric data from six different urban and rural areas were obtained. Age stratification and the male to female ratio were highly considered. Stu-dent's t-test was used to obtain normal reference values based on sex and altitude. Multiple linear regression was used to establish prediction equations. Results: The study was conducted between February 2015 and August 2016 in Tibet. Normal reference values of anthropometric data, such as age, height, and weight based on sex and altitudes, showed significant differences (P<0.01). Additionally, prediction equations with age, height, and weight were established for FVC and FEV1 between different genders and altitudes, respectively. Height and weight had positive effects on the equations, while age had negative relationships. Conclusion: This study firstly provides reference values for demographic characteristics and spirometry data for healthy Tibetans, with spi-rometry reference prediction equations based on sex and altitude. Acknowledgements: The authors thank all cooperators and local administrations for great cooperation on the field in this study. Background and Aim: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a leading cause of public health problem in China. Because of geographic and financial diversity, the prevalence of COPD and its risk factor pattern in Tibet region is limited. The aim was to obtain the prevalence of COPD and investigate the potential risk factors for COPD among Tibetans. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study involving six urban and rural Tibet regions was performed via stratified cluster random sampling. All subjects interviewed using a revised questionnaire, examined by chest radiograph and underwent pulmonary function tests. Post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) of less than 70% was the diagnostic criteria of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Results: Among 6000 subjects sampled for the study, 3871 participants completed the questionnaire, chest radiograph and spirometry. The overall prevalence of COPD was 11.06%. The prevalence of COPD was 14.86% for people aged more than 40 years and 7.64% for less than that (P<0.01). The prevalence was 9.26% and 12.29% for above and below the altitude of 3800m respectively. In a multiple logistic regression analysis model, age over 40 years old (odds ratio [OR]=1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.30-1.52), altitude less than 3800m (OR=1.13, 95% CI=1.04-1.21), lower body mass index (OR=1.08, 95% CI=1.04-1.12)and indoor exposure for cooking (OR=1.40, 95% CI=1.32-1.54) were positively associated with the...
forced expiratory volume in one second; GLI2012; lung function; reference values; spirometry Background Diagnostic assessment of lung function necessitates up-to-date reference values. The aim of this study was to estimate reference values for spirometry for the Finnish population between 18 and 80 years and to compare them with the existing Finnish, European and the recently published global GLI2012 reference values. Methods Spirometry was performed for 1380 adults in the population-based FinEsS studies and for 662 healthy non-smoking volunteer adults. Detailed predefined questionnaire screening of diseases and symptoms, and quality control of spirometry yielded a sample of 1000 native Finns (387 men) healthy non-smokers aged 18-83 years. Sex-specific reference values, which are estimated using the GAMLSS method and adjusted for age and height, are provided. Results The predicted values for lung volumes are larger than those obtained by GLI2012 prediction for the Caucasian subgroup for forced vital capacity (FVC) by an average 6Á2% and 5Á1% and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) by an average 4Á2% and 3Á0% in men and women, respectively. GLI2012 slightly overestimated the ratio FEV1/FVC with an age-dependent trend. Most reference equations from other European countries, with the exception of the Swiss SAPAL-DIA study, showed an underestimation of FVC and FEV1 to varying degrees, and a slight overestimation of FEV1/FVC. Conclusion This study offers up-to-date reference values of spirometry for native Finns with a wide age range. The GLI2012 predictions seem not to be suitable for clinical use for native Finns due to underestimation of lung volumes.
In circumpolar areas the climate remains cool or thermoneutral during the majority of the days of the year spite of global warming. Therefore, health consequences related to cold exposure represent also in the future the majority of climate-related adverse health effects. Hot summers may be an exception. At ambient temperatures below +10 - +12 degrees C, humans experience cold stress of varying degree. Man can compensate a 10 degrees C change in ambient temperature by changing metabolic heat production by 30-40 W m(-2) or by wearing an additional/taking off ca. 0.4 clo units (corresponding to one thick clothing layer). Cold ambient temperature may be a risk for human health and cause varying levels of performance limitations. The impacts of cold exposure on health and wellbeing cause a burden to many societies in terms of lowered productivity and higher costs related to health care systems as well as public health planning and management. In order to provide preventive and protective public health actions for cold-induced adverse health effects, it is important to recognize cold related injuries, illnesses and symptoms and their turn-up temperatures, and to identify the most at-risk population subgroups and factors that increase or decrease the health risks posed by cold ambient temperatures. The majority of cold-related harmful health impacts can be prevented or managed by correct preventive and protective actions. Rapid unpredictable changes are more difficult to compensate because of lack of experience (affecting attitude and skills), preparedness (vehicles, garments, supplies, logistics etc.) and/or acclimatization.
Firstly, in this population the response rate (83.6%) in the original study was high enough to provide reliable results for respiratory symptoms and diseases, only the prevalence of current smoking was biased by non-response. Secondly, the methods used for collecting responses in a non-response study may influence the results.
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