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E Omenaas

Publications and source records attributed to E Omenaas.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Comparing the adrenaline-Pirquet test with international PPD tuberculin tests.

Several tuberculins, strengths and setting methods are in everyday use. We wanted to compare the Norwegian reference adrenaline Pirquet test with the internationally recommended Mantoux PPD test and Rhoditest. In responders of a random sample of young adults, with randomization of test subjects, we intra-individually compared the adrenaline-Pirquet (aP) test with Norwegian-produced synthetic medium tuberculin (SMT) with either the Mantoux test with PPD 2 tuberculin units (TU) (M2), the Mantoux-PPD 5 TU (M5) or the PPD 2 TU-Rhoditest (Rh). The criteria for a positive reaction were > or = 4mm for the aP test, > or = 10 mm for the M2 test, > or = 6 mm for the M5 test and > or = 2 mm for the Rh test. Strongly positive reactions were defined as aP test > or = 10 mm and M2/M5 test > or = 15 mm. One of the tuberculin tests was positive while the comparison test was negative in 14% of the M2 test group (n = 236), 15% in the M5 test group (n = 162) and 20% in the Rh test group (n = 187). The three PPD tests had positive reactions 3-10 times as often, with a simultaneous negative aP test, than vice versa. Strongly positive reactions occurred in 7% of the aP tests (> or = 10 mm), 32% of the M2 tests (> or = 15 mm) and in 41% of the M5 tests (> or = 15 mm). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves gave the best agreement, with aP test >3mm compared with the M2 and the Rh tests. Regression equations are presented for transformations of the Norwegian reference method of adrenaline-Pirquet results to internationally recommended PPD tests. The international recommendations, globalization in general and the skill of Norwegian public health nurses in performing intra-dermal BCG suggest a future shift to the PPD 2 TU Mantoux test in Norway. Due to the lack of sensitivity and specificity of all tuberculin tests they might be used in targeted tuberculin testing and not as a general screening procedure in a low-incidence tuberculosis area with BCG-vaccinated inhabitants.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence of airway symptoms among hairdressers in Bergen, Norway.

OBJECTIVE: To assess respiratory symptoms among hairdressers in Norway. METHODS: The study was based on a questionnaire sent to 100 hairdressers (91% responding) and 95 office workers (84% responding). The questionnaire sought information about allergy, respiratory symptoms in the past year, and symptoms after exposures to different types of pollutants, working conditions, and smoking habits. A population based control group was established because the hairdressers and office workers differed in age and smoking habits. RESULTS: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the past year did not differ significantly between hairdressers and office workers after adjusting for age, atopy, and smoking. The hairdressers over 40 years of age reported significantly more symptoms-such as wheezing and breathlessness-in the past year than the office workers of the same age. Compared with the population based control group, both hairdressers younger than 30 and those over 40 reported more symptoms-such as breathlessness in the past year. The oldest hairdressers reported such symptoms as wheezing and breathlessness more often than did the younger hairdressers. These differences in breathlessness were significant after adjusting for smoking and wheezing. The same trend was not found among the office workers. The hairdressers reported significantly more wheezing, breathlessness, runny eyes, and blocked or runny nose from exposure to hair dyes, permanent oils, bleaching powder, and other chemicals used in a hairdressing salon, compared with the office workers. Prevalence of symptoms during exposure to other types of generel pollutants was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hairdressers are exposed to low levels of various irritating chemicals every day. The prevalences of acute symptoms related to the exposure of hairdressers to hairdressing chemicals are very high. Hairdressers, especially the oldest hairdressers, have more asthma-like symptoms than the control groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Increased circulating levels of alpha1-antitrypsin and calprotectin are associated with reduced gas diffusion in the lungs.

The aim was to examine the relationship of serum inflammatory markers to the level of single-breath diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (TL,CO). A stratified sample (n = 1,121) of a Norwegian general population aged 18-73 yrs was examined. The inflammatory markers measured were calprotectin, a prominent protein in the cytosol fraction of neutrophil granulocytes, and alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1-AT), the major inhibitor of neutrophil elastase in the lower respiratory system. Both markers have increased circulating levels in the course of an acute inflammatory reaction. Subjects with a TL,CO < 80% of predicted value had a higher level of both alpha1-AT (p = 0.003) and calprotectin (p < 0.03) than those with a TL,CO > 100%. In multiple linear regression analyses, alpha1-AT was still significantly associated with TL,CO after adjusting for sex, age, smoking habits, haemoglobin, carboxyhaemoglobin, forced expiratory volume in one second and alveolar volume. In a similar analysis, no significant overall association was found between calprotectin and TL,CO, but in a stratified analysis, calprotectin was significantly related to TL,CO in females. However, no significant sex interaction in the relationship between the inflammatory markers and TL,COo was found. The findings suggest that increased levels of alpha1-antitrypsin and of calprotectin are risk factors for decreased diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Allergy markers in respiratory epidemiology.

Assessing allergy by measurement of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E antibodies is fast and safe to perform. Serum antibodies can preferably be assessed in patients with dermatitis and in those who regularly use antihistamines and other pharmacological agents that reduce skin sensitivity. Skin tests represent the easiest tool to obtain quick and reliable information for the diagnosis of respiratory allergic diseases. It is the technique more widely used, specific and reasonably sensitive for most applications as a marker of atopy. Measurement of serum IgE antibodies and skin-prick testing may give complimentary information and can be applied in clinical and epidemiological settings. Peripheral blood eosinophilia is less used, but is important in clinical practice to demonstrate the allergic aetiology of disease, to monitor its clinical course and to address the choice of therapy. In epidemiology, hypereosinophilia seems to reflect an inflammatory reaction in the airways, which may be linked to obstructive airflow limitation.

Antibodies↗
PubMed2000

Absence of relationship between tuberculin reactivity and atopy in BCG vaccinated young adults.

BACKGROUND: An inverse association between tuberculin responses and atopy has been observed in Japanese children, indicating that BCG immunisation, subclinical exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis without clinical disease, or host characteristics may influence the T helper (Th) lymphocyte balance with decreased atopy as a result. This study was undertaken to determine whether tuberculin reactivity is inversely related to atopy in young adults vaccinated with BCG at the age of 14. METHODS: Men and women aged 20-44 years were tested using the adrenaline-Pirquet test with Norwegian produced synthetic medium tuberculin (n = 891). In addition, their serum total and specific IgE antibodies against mite, cat, timothy grass, mould and birch were measured. RESULTS: Of the 574 subjects with complete examinations, 64% had a positive adrenaline-Pirquet tuberculin test (> or =4 mm) and 27% exhibited IgE antibodies (> or =0.35 kU/l) to one or more of the five specific allergens. The geometric mean of total serum IgE in the population was 30.2 kU/l. Tuberculin reactivity and log IgE were not correlated (r = 0.043, p = 0.30). The mean tuberculin reactivity was 4.6 mm, 4.9 mm, and 5.0 mm in the lower, middle and upper tertile of IgE distribution (<14 kU/l, 14-61 kU/l, >61 kU/l). The prevalence of atopy, as assessed by either the presence of any of the five specific IgE antibodies or by each specific IgE antibody separately, did not differ between subjects with a positive and those with a negative tuberculin test. These results persisted after adjustment for age, sex, and smoking status in multivariate logistic regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In this young adult population, BCG vaccinated at the age of 14, no significant relationship between a positive tuberculin reaction and atopy was observed. If a true relationship had been found, our study suggests that it may be limited to populations immunised in early childhood when a substantial modulation of the immune system can occur.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Tuberculin test variability: using the Norwegian Adrenaline-Pirquet method.

SETTING: Chest Unit, Bergen, Norway. OBJECTIVES: To study the agreement between two Adrenaline-Pirquet tuberculin tests and compare reactivity in groups read after 2, 3 and 4 days. DESIGN: Responders from a random sample of 1200 men and women 20-44 years of age in 1991 were tested with dual Adrenaline-Pirquet skin scratch tests with Norwegian-produced synthetic medium tuberculin and read after 2-7 days. RESULTS: Of 588 subjects dually tuberculin tested, complete agreement existed in 220 (37.4%). A difference of 1 mm one way or the other was observed in 239 (40.6%), whereas a difference of less than 3 mm was found in 567 (96.5%). Using the larger of the two reactions increased the rate of tuberculin positivity (> or =4 mm) by up to 8.4% compared with reading only one of the tests. No statistically significant differences were observed between subjects whose reactions were read after 2, 3 and 4 days. CONCLUSION: Under the non-blinded conditions of this study the dual Adrenaline-Pirquet tuberculin tests demonstrated reproducibility equivalent to the internationally recommended Mantoux test, and appeared to be independent of time of reading within four days.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Immunoglobulin E, viral antibodies and obstructive lung disease in adults. The relation between antibody level in serum, lung function and non-specific bronchial reactivity].

We have measured immunoglobulin E levels and respiratory virus antibodies and examined their possible role as risk factors for obstructive lung disease in adults. We observed that increased total serum IgE levels were associated with reduced lung function in subjects with obstructive lung disease, but not in asymptomatic subjects. Subjects sensitised to indoor allergens (house dust mites, cats and mould) had reduced lung function and increased, non-specific, bronchial responsiveness compared with individuals who were not sensitised to indoor allergens. Similar relationships were not observed for subjects sensitised to outdoor allergens (birch and timothy). The presence of respiratory virus antibodies was vaguely associated with reduced lung function, but was not related to increased, non-specific, bronchial responsiveness. In adults in this community sensitisation to indoor allergens is a strong predictor of reduced lung function and increased, non-specific, bronchial responsiveness, which are again closely associated with obstructive lung disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Hospitalization for lung disease in early childhood and asthma symptoms in young adulthood.

Longitudinal studies have reported an association between early childhood lung disease and adult respiratory disease. This issue has not been addressed in the Nordic countries. We studied the association between hospitalization for lung disease in early childhood and asthma in young adulthood in a Norwegian population sample, while estimating the attributable fraction of childhood hospitalization. A population-based survey in Bergen, Norway included a random sample of 4300 subjects aged 20-44 years, of whom 80% responded. The effect of hospitalization for lung disease before the age of 2 years on asthma in adulthood was analysed by logistic and polytomous logistic regressions, adjusting for related variables. Adjusted attributable fractions were estimated from these models. The risk for different measures of asthma was significantly increased in the 103 persons reporting childhood hospitalization (airways symptoms: OR from 1.9 to 2.9; asthma medication: OR = 2.8). The associations with airways symptoms were stronger in women (OR from 2.6 to 5.3) than in men (OR from 1.4 to 2.4). Given a causal association, adjusted attributable fractions showed that childhood lung disease causing hospitalization explained 4% of asthma symptoms. Early childhood hospitalization for lung disease was related to asthma symptoms in young Norwegian adults, more strongly in women than in men. Only a minor proportion of asthma symptoms in this age group could be related to hospitalization for lung disease in early childhood.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Fish consumption and respiratory symptoms among young adults in a Norwegian community.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary fish consumption and self-reported respiratory symptoms among young adults. A random sample of 4,300 subjects, aged 20-44 yrs, living in Bergen, Norway, received a postal questionnaire on respiratory symptoms, of whom 80% responded. Mean fish consumption was assessed in a food-frequency questionnaire by asking how often the subject consumed units of fish (150 g) during the last year. Average fish consumption was 1.8 units x week(-1). Fish intake of <1 unit x week(-1) was reported by 24%, 41% reported consumption of 1 unit x week(-1) and 35% intake of >1 unit x week(-1). A high fish intake was significantly associated with increasing age after adjusting for smoking. Adjusted for smoking habits, the prevalence of "cough at night" and "chest tightness" showed a decreasing trend with increasing fish consumption (p<0.05), while such a trend for "wheeze" was demonstrated only in smokers (p=0.008 for interaction). In logistic regression models (adjusting for age, sex, body mass, smoking habits and occupational exposure) fish consumption (three categories) was not significantly associated with "wheeze", "chest tightness", "breathless at night" or "asthma attack", although the odds ratios (OR) were consistently less than 1 (except for "asthma attack"). Fish consumption was of borderline significance as a protective factor of "cough at night", OR = 0.86 (95% confidence interval: 0.76-0.97) but in stratified analyses only in smokers. Subjects reporting very high levels of fish consumption (>14 units x week(-1)) did not have lower prevalences of respiratory symptoms. In conclusion, among young Norwegian adults, with a relatively low prevalence of asthma and an overall high fish intake, fish consumption was not a significant predictor of four out of five respiratory symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Birth characteristics and asthma symptoms in young adults: results from a population-based cohort study in Norway.

There is evidence that the origin of obstructive lung disease may be traced back to foetal life. The associations between birth characteristics and asthma symptoms were studied in a random population sample of young Norwegian adults. Respiratory symptoms were recorded in a population-based questionnaire survey. The records of all subjects aged 20-24 yrs were linked with the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Of 868 subjects born in Norway, there were 690 (79%) responders. The associations between asthma symptoms and birth characteristics were analysed by logistic regression, adjusted for possible confounding factors. Asthma symptoms in young adults were inversely associated with birth weight (odds ratio (OR)wheeze=0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.69-0.96x500 g increase in birth weight(-1))), and after adjustment for gestational age, birth length, parity and maternal age (ORwheeze=0.69; 95% CI=0.50-0.95x500 g increase in birth weight(-1)). The association did not vary according to adult smoking habits or atopic status and remained when premature and low weight births were excluded (ORwheeze=0.73; 95% CI=0.60-0.90x500 g increase in birth weight(-1)). The association was consistent for all asthma symptoms. Adjusted for birth weight, asthma symptoms were further associated with low gestational age, high birth length and low maternal age. In a random sample of young adults, asthma symptoms were strongly associated with low birth weight, an association driven by the full-term births within the normal birth weight range. The findings show that the risk for adult asthma is partly established early in life and suggest that poor intrauterine growth is involved in the aetiology of asthma.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The semi-proportional hazards model revisited: practical reparametrizations.

Reformulations of the semi-proportional hazards model are outlined making estimation and testing of stratum-covariate interaction effects easily accessible within the framework of the stratified Cox proportional hazards model. The method is illustrated by a practical analysis of variables influencing bronchial responsiveness with data from the Hordaland study of obstructive lung disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Serum respiratory virus antibodies: predictor of reduced one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) in Norwegian adults.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether the presence of serum complement antibodies was associated with reduced one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) in adults. METHODS: From a stratified random sample of 18-73 year old adults, we performed measurements of serum complement fixing virus antibodies against influenza type A and B, parainfluenza type 1, 2, and 3, respiratory syncytial virus and adenovirus on 82% (n = 1239). RESULTS: In the crude data, subjects having five of the seven virus antibodies had significantly lower lung function, given as sex-, age- and height-standardized residuals of FEV1 (SFEV1), compared with those without. After adjusting in addition for smoking habits, lifetime smoking consumption and season, the lung function levels were significantly lower in subjects with influenza type B and respiratory syncytial virus antibodies compared to those without (P < 0.01). Increasing influenza and respiratory syncytial virus antibody titres and increasing numbers of virus antibodies, respectively, were related to progressively lower lung function. Subjects with respiratory symptoms but without obstructive lung disease had lower antibody levels than subjects with obstructive lung disease, but higher levels than asymptomatic subjects. In a final multiple linear regression analysis adjusting in addition for respiratory symptom and disease status as well as for the other respiratory virus antibodies, the presence of respiratory syncytial virus antibodies was a significant predictor for reduced SFEV1 (regression coefficient: -0.226; SE = 0.112; P = 0.04). The magnitude of the effect on lung function remained after excluding subjects reporting symptoms of respiratory infection within 3 weeks prior to the examination (regression coefficient: -0.252; SE = -0.218; P = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional community study indicates that respiratory syncytial virus infection or re-infection is an independent predictor for reduced lung function in adults of a wide age range.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Serum house dust mite antibodies: predictor of increased bronchial responsiveness in adults of a community.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the presence of serum specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies was associated with increased bronchial responsiveness in adults. We studied cross-sectionally a random community sample of 18-73 year old adults, of whom 83% (n = 489) performed bronchial responsiveness testing as well as serum measurements of five specific IgE antibodies. In the crude data, 39% of those with house dust mite antibodies (n = 18) had a bronchial responsiveness < or = 32 g.L-1 methacholine compared with 19% in subjects without any of the five specific IgE antibodies (n = 453). The corresponding percentages for subjects with timothy antibodies (n = 16) was 25%, birch antibodies (n = 13) 23%, cat antibodies (n = 10) 40% and mould antibodies (n = 2) 50%. When assessing the multivariate relationship between the presence of one specific IgE antibody and degree of bronchial responsiveness we used a semi-proportional hazards model with the response as a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) from pretest value. Covariates included in the model were: gender, age, pretest FEV1, smoking habits, pack-years, season and other specific IgE antibodies than that examined. The presence of house dust mite antibodies was a significant predictor (p < 0.01) of increased bronchial responsiveness in never- and ex-smokers. Indoor allergic sensitization (house dust mite, cat and mould) was a significant predictor of increased bronchial responsiveness, while outdoor allergic sensitization (timothy and birch) was not. Excluding subjects with obstructive lung disease (n = 39) or including the covariate log total serum IgE as a potential confounder yielded the same result. Thus, in this community, indoor allergic sensitization rather than allergic sensitization per se was related to increased bronchial responsiveness after adjusting for other relevant covariates.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Asthma symptoms and anti-asthma drugs in 4 Scandinavian countries].

A study of the occurrence of asthma in six areas in four Nordic countries showed 18-25 percent of the populations investigated to have had wheezing or whistling in the airways during the previous 12-month period, and 2-3 percent to have had asthma attacks. The use of anti-asthmatics was found to have differed from one to another of the areas included in the study, and the result suggest the difference to depend upon corresponding differences in the extent to which an active approach to treatment was adopted for the care of patients with asthmatic problems.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Respiratory virus antibodies in adults of a Norwegian community: prevalences and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The aims were to examine prevalences as well as demographic and environmental predictors of respiratory virus antibodies in serum. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 18-73 year old Norwegian adults a random stratified sample (n = 1512) was invited to attend an examination at an outpatient clinic. Seven respiratory virus antibodies were assessed by the complement fixation test. RESULTS: The attendance rate was 84%. The most frequent virus antibodies with titre of > or = 1:8 were influenza virus type A with a population standardized prevalence of 44%, adenovirus 25% and influenza virus type B 22%. The prevalences of antibodies against parainfluenza virus type 1, 2 and 3 increased with age. Smokers compared to non-smokers had an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-2.4) for having one or more of the seven examined virus antibodies. The presence of one or more of the virus antibodies increased from summer to winter months (adjusted OR = 1.3 per month; 95% CI: 1.2-1.4) and it was higher in occupational dust or gas exposed smokers (adjusted OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1-3.7) compared with unexposed smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Ageing, smoking, occupational dust or gas exposure as well as season of the year may thus be predictors for levels of respiratory virus antibodies in adults. These observations should be taken into account when comparing prevalences of virus antibodies in various communities as well as when examining the relationship between presence of virus antibodies and airway disease.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1995

Total serum IgE and FEV1 by respiratory symptoms and obstructive lung disease in adults of a Norwegian community.

BACKGROUND: The importance of total serum IgE level on lung function impairment has not been established in a general population. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this cross-sectional community study was to examine the relationship between total serum IgE and level of lung function in adults, and whether this relationship differed by sex, age, smoking habits or by respiratory symptoms and disease status. METHODS: A stratified random sample of 18-73 year old adults from the general population were invited to spirometry and serum analyses of total and specific IgE. Of 1512 subjects invited, 82% met and performed complete examinations. RESULTS: Increasing level of total serum IgE was related to reduced lung function (P < 0.01) given as sex, age, and height standardized residuals of one second forced expiratory volume (SFEV1). Subjects with total serum IgE in the highest vs the lowest tertile had a mean SFEV1 of -0.28, corresponding to age and height adjusted FEV1 differences of 120 and 150 mL in women and men, respectively. The relationship between IgE and lung function impairment did not differ significantly by sex, age or smoking habits. In subjects with obstructive lung disease increasing level of total serum IgE was more negatively associated with lung function level than in subjects with respiratory symptoms alone. No relationship was observed in asymptomatic subjects. This was confirmed in a multiple linear regression analysis adjusting for sex, age, smoking habits and lifetime smoking consumption showing that SFEV1 was predicted by an interaction between total serum IgE level and symptom and disease status (P < 0.01). This interaction remained after excluding subjects (n = 105) having specific IgE antibodies. CONCLUSION: Increasing total serum IgE level was associated with progressively lower lung function in a general adult population after taking other predictors of impaired spirometric lung function into account, though dependent on the subjects' respiratory symptom and disease status. Variation in prevalences of respiratory symptoms and obstructive lung disease in previous examined populations may thus explain conflicting observations of the association between total IgE and airflow impairment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Serum house-dust-mite antibodies and reduced FEV1 in adults of a Norwegian community.

In this cross-sectional study we investigated whether the presence of specific serum IgE antibodies to house dust mite, timothy, birch, cat, and mold was associated with a reduced FEV1 in adults. We performed complete examinations on 82% of a stratified random sample of 18 to 73-yr-old adults (n = 1,239). Subjects with house-dust-mite antibodies had lower (p = 0.002) sex, age, and height standardized residuals of FEV1 (SFEV1) than those without any specific IgE antibody. This relationship did not differ significantly by sex, age, smoking habit, total serum IgE level, or season, and remained significant after excluding subjects with obstructive lung disease. For house-dust-mite antibodies we also observed a dose-response relationship between antibody levels and impaired lung function. In a final multiple linear regression analysis the presence of house-dust-mite antibodies was the only significant predictor (regression coefficient: -0.425; SE = 0.189; p = 0.02) of reduced SFEV1 after adjusting for smoking habit and lifetime tobacco consumption, season, total serum IgE level, and respiratory-symptom and disease status. Thus, house-dust-mite allergy is an independent predictor of reduced lung function in adults of a wide age range.

Adult↗