Prevalence of asthma-like symptoms with ageing

Abstract

BackgroundChange in the prevalence of asthma-like symptoms in populations of ageing adults is likely to be influenced by smoking, asthma treatment and atopy.MethodsThe European Community Respiratory Health Survey collected information on prevalent asthma-like symptoms from representative samples of adults aged 20–44 years (29 centres in 13 European countries and Australia) at baseline and 10 and 20 years later (n=7844). Net changes in symptom prevalence were determined using generalised estimating equations (accounting for non-response through inverse probability weighting), followed by meta-analysis of centre level estimates.FindingsOver 20 years the prevalence of ‘wheeze’ and ‘wheeze in the absence of a cold’ decreased (−2.4%, 95% CI −3.5 to −1.3%; −1.5%, 95% CI −2.4 to −0.6%, respectively) but the prevalence of asthma attacks, use of asthma medication and hay fever/nasal allergies increased (0.6%, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.11; 3.6%, 95% CI 3.0 to 4.2; 2.7%, 95% CI 1.7 to 3.7). Changes were similar in the first 10 years compared with the second 10 years, except for hay fever/nasal allergies (increase seen in the first 10 years only). Decreases in these wheeze-related symptoms were largely seen in the group who gave up smoking, and were seen in those who reported hay fever/nasal allergies at baseline.InterpretationEuropean adults born between 1946 and 1970 have, over the last 20 years, experienced less wheeze, although they were more likely to report asthma attacks, use of asthma medication and hay fever. Decrease in wheeze is largely attributable to smoking cessation, rather than improved treatment of asthma. It may also be influenced by reductions in atopy with ageing.

Pharmacological treatment of asthma in a cohort of adults during a 20-year period: results from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey I, II and III

“…The third survey of the ECRHS (ECRHS III) was completed between 2011 and 2014. An analysis of data from a short postal questionnaire showed an increase in the use of asthma medication [20]. The aim of the present study was to undertake a more detailed investigation of changes in the pharmacological treatment of asthma over a 20-year period and to investigate factors associated with the regular use of ICSs.…”

Tobacco Smoke Exposure, Urban and Environmental Factors as Respiratory Disease Predictors in Italian Adolescents

“…Questions on tobacco smoke and urbanization included a parental and subjective evaluation of the exposure (absent, low, moderate, or high). The questionnaire was also structured to gain in-depth knowledge of personal lifestyle habits of the subjects and to gather information on the main asthma-like symptoms, such as asthma attacks, wheeze with breathlessness, current use of treatments for asthma, current hay fever/nasal allergies, waking with chest tightness, being woken by shortness of breath, and being woken by coughing [18]. Spirometry measurements: These were expressed as maximal expiratory flow–volume curves to establish forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1 ), maximal expiratory flows at peak 50%, 25%, and among 25–75% of FVC (PEF, FEF 50 , FEF 25 , FEF 25-75 ) and the FEV1/FVC ratio.…”

“…Questions on tobacco smoke and urbanization included a parental and subjective evaluation of the exposure (absent, low, moderate, or high). The questionnaire was also structured to gain in-depth knowledge of personal lifestyle habits of the subjects and to gather information on the main asthma-like symptoms, such as asthma attacks, wheeze with breathlessness, current use of treatments for asthma, current hay fever/nasal allergies, waking with chest tightness, being woken by shortness of breath, and being woken by coughing [18].…”

Endotoxin and particulate matter emitted by livestock farms and respiratory health effects in neighboring residents

“…In 2012, a questionnaire survey was performed including questions on respiratory health adapted from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS)-III postal questionnaire (Jarvis et al, 2018). The following outcomes were included in the current analysis: current asthma, doctor diagnosed COPD, wheeze (with or without shortness of breath/having a cold), and daily cough (See Supplementary Methods Table M.4.…”