Prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and asthma in a rural adult population.

Abstract

The prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in adult populations is not known. To document its prevalence and distribution and to determine the factors associated with it, a random sample of the adult population of Busselton, Western Australia, was studied. Spirometric function, bronchial responsiveness to histamine, and atopic responses to skin prick tests were measured. Respiratory symptoms were determined by questionnaire. Data were obtained from 916 subjects. Of these, 876 underwent a histamine inhalation test and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to histamine (defined as a dose of histamine provoking a 20% fall in FEV1 equal to or less than 3 9 jmol) was found in 10-5%. Another 40 subjects with poor lung function were tested with a bronchodilator and 12 were found to have bronchial hyperresponsiveness (defined as a greater than 15% increase in FEV1), making the total prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness 11-4%. The prevalence of current asthma, defined as bronchial hyperresponsiveness plus symptoms consistent with asthma in the last 12 months, was 5-9%. The distribution of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in the studied population was continuous. There was a significant association between it and respiratory symptoms, atopy, smoking, and abnormal lung function (p < 0-001 for all associations). There was no association with age, sex, or recent respiratory tract infection.

Measurement of bronchial responsiveness by forced oscillation technique in occupational epidemiology

“…In particular, the prevalence of hyperreactivity was rather low (10%). In the studies conducted in the general population, the prevalence of hyperreactivity varied from 10-25% [33][34][35][36]. With the maximal dose of 1,000 µg, which was lower than the usual dose of 2,000 µg to 5,000 µg [2,21], we certainly underestimated the percentage of responders.…”

Sputum analysis, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and airway function in asthma: Results of a factor analysis

“…26 In this study the second factor extracted from the data set was comprised of BHR and bronchial reversibility as assessed in terms of β 2 -response, indicating that BHR and airway function represent nonoverlapping quantities.…”

Asthma Genetics and Intermediate Phenotypes: A Review From Twin Studies

“…Although asthma occurs throughout the world, large geographical and ethnic differences in asthma prevalence have been reported, varying from 0.5% to 6% (Kerkhof et al, 1994;Platts-Mills & Carter, 1997;Rijcken et al, 1996;Turkeltaub et al, 1991;Woolcock et al, 1987), and countries are classified by their asthma rates into low incidence countries (Africa and Asia), medium incidence countries (USA, Canada, European countries and the United Kingdom) and high incidence countries (New Zealand and Australia) (Burney et al, 1996). Different prevalences have been found in urban and rural areas.…”