Biomedical subjects

G E Eide

Publications and source records attributed to G E Eide.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Changes in bone and lipid metabolism in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer after terminating 2-year treatment with exemestane: a randomised, placebo-controlled study.

Aromatase inhibitors improve relapse-free survival in early breast cancer, but there is concern about possible detrimental effects on bone mineral density (BMD) and plasma lipids. This paper presents the results of a 2-year study evaluating the effects of exemestane versus placebo on BMD, bone markers, plasma lipids and coagulation factors, including a 1-year follow-up after termination of treatment in 147 patients. During treatment, the mean annual rate of loss of BMD in the lumbar spine was 2.17% in the exemestane group versus 1.84% in the placebo group (n.s.) and 2.72% versus 1.48%, respectively, in the femoral neck (P=0.024). A loss of BMD above that expected in both arms of this study could be due to low vitamin D status (88% of all patients had vitamin D levels <30 ng/ml). The changes observed with exemestane were partially reversed during a 1-year follow-up, with no significant difference between the two arms. Similarly, the moderate decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol was reversed. The bone marker values decreased, although a difference at 6 months of follow-up was still recorded, in particular for the markers of bone synthesis.

Androstadienes↗

PubMed2005

Indoor exposures and respiratory symptoms in a Norwegian community sample.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on the effect of a poor indoor climate on the respiratory health of adults. No data are available regarding the contribution of indoor exposures to the burden of respiratory symptoms in the population. METHODS: In 1996-7 a community sample of 3181 adults aged 26-82 years was invited to participate in a survey on indoor climate and respiratory health in Hordaland County, Norway. 2401 subjects agreed to take part. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between eight markers of indoor exposure and physician diagnosed asthma and five respiratory symptoms, after adjustment for sex, age, smoking, educational level, smoking habits, pack years, and occupational airborne exposure. RESULTS: Mould exposure was associated with all the respiratory symptoms; the adjusted odds ratios (OR) varied from 1.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0 to 2.4) for cough with phlegm to 2.3 (95% CI 1.4 to 3.9) for grade 2 dyspnoea. Keeping a cat or dog in childhood was associated with grade 2 dyspnoea and attacks of dyspnoea, with adjusted ORs of 1.3 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.7) and 1.4 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.8), respectively. Having a fitted carpet in the bedroom was negatively associated with three of the five respiratory symptoms. 3-5% of the frequency of the respiratory symptoms in the study population could be attributed to exposure to visible moulds. CONCLUSION: Mould exposure is an independent risk factor for several respiratory symptoms in a general population covering a wide age span, but it makes only a small contribution to the respiratory symptom burden in the population at large.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Quality of life and pain in patients with acute cholecystitis. Results of a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute cholecystitis carries a higher risk of subsequent gallstone related events than symptomatic, non-complicated disease. However, it is largely unknown to what extent non-operative treatment will affect the patient's well-being as no trial has studied the possible consequences on pain and quality of life. Our aim was to study in a randomized trial how observational treatment (watchful waiting) compared to cholecystectomy. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with acute cholecystitis were randomized to observation or cholecystectomy. All gallstone related events were registered and patients answered questionnaires on quality of life (PGWB and NHP) and pain (Pain score and VAPS) at randomization and at 6, 12 and 60 months later. RESULTS: Patients were followed-up for a median of 67 months. Ten of 33 patients (30%, 95% CI 15%-46%) patients randomized to observation and 27 of 31 (87%, 95% CI 75 %- 99%) of patients randomized to operation had a cholecystectomy. Twelve of 33 (36%, 95% CI 20%-53%) patients in the observation group had a gallstone related event compared to 6 of 31 (19%, 95% CI 5%-33%) patients in the operation group, but the difference was not significant. When patients were grouped according to randomization or actual operative outcome (+/- cholecystectomy), we did not find any significant differences in pain or quality of life measurements. CONCLUSION: Although conservative treatment of AC carried a certain but not significantly increased risk of subsequent gallstone related events, this did not influence the symptomatic outcome as assessed by quality of life and pain measurements. Thus, we argue that conservative (non-operative) treatment and observation of AC is an acceptable option and should at least be considered in elderly and frail patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

The incidence of adult asthma: a review.

In recent years, several new studies have estimated the incidence of adult asthma. These studies vary in design and quality. The current paper summarises the findings of major population studies in the adult incidence of asthma. The pooled estimate of the adult incidence of asthma was 4.6 per 1000 person-years in women and 3.6 per 1000 person-years in men. The estimate among only general population cohort studies was higher, respectively 5.9 and 4.4 per 1000 person-years in women and men. The adult incidence of asthma was slightly higher in women than men. In the few studies that allowed the incidence of asthma to be estimated among those aged >50 years, there was a trend towards a higher incidence with age. It is thought likely that this is at least partly explained by misclassification with COPD. However, the current findings from these studies may imply that the incidence of asthma in the elderly has previously been under-estimated. Finally, the review shows that estimates of adult asthma incidence have tended to be higher in later studies, implying a rise in asthma incidence in adults within the timeframe of observation.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Homocysteine levels, haemostatic risk factors and patency rates after endovascular treatment of the above-knee femoro-popliteal artery.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between plasma homocysteine and other haemostatic variables and restenoses or reocclusions after endovascular treatment of symptomatic atherosclerosis of the above-knee femoro-popliteal artery. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 103 patients (116 limbs), treated with subintimal angioplasty in 58 cases (50%) and with intraluminal PTA in 58 (50%): 39 (34%) patients were treated for critical limb ischaemia. Blood samples for analyses of fasting plasma values of homocysteine, fibrinogen, D-dimer, activated protein C resistance were drawn upon admission. Median follow-up for all procedures was 11 months (range 0-42 months). Outcome events (arterial patency) were defined as > or =50% restenosis or reocclusion in the treated arterial segment. Patency rates were estimated with the product limit method and Kaplan-Meier curves. Variables found to be related significantly to patency were included in multivariate analysis performed with the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: The 1-year cumulative primary patency rate for all procedures was 48%. One-year limb salvage rate in cases of critical ischaemia was 74%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated significant independent associations between patency rates and plasma D-dimer, diabetes mellitus, the nature of the lesion treated (stenosis vs. occlusion) and antithrombotic therapy with aspirin after the procedure. Plasma levels of homocysteine, fibrinogen or activated protein C resistance were not associated with patency rates. Homocysteine levels were higher in patients with critical limb ischaemia than those with intermittent claudication. CONCLUSIONS: Early restenosis or reocclusion after endovascular intervention of lesions in the above-knee femoro-popliteal artery was more frequent following treatment of occlusion (versus stenosis), for patients with diabetes, patients with elevated D-dimer and those without antithrombotic therapy after the procedure. Plasma homocysteine did not appear to influence the outcome of endovascular intervention.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Homocysteine levels, haemostatic risk factors and restenosis after carotid thrombendarterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of elevated serum homocysteine and haemostatic as well as clinical risk factors on the tendency to restenosis after carotid artery thrombendarterectomy. DESIGN: A prospective, observational study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the period from October 1999 to October 2002, 86 patients were subjected to 96 carotid endarterectomies because of internal carotid artery stenoses. The carotid stenoses were symptomatic in 86 cases (90%). Fasting plasma homocysteine, fibrinogen, D-dimer and activated protein C resistance were measured the day before surgery. Follow-up was done 1, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months postoperatively and yearly thereafter with clinical assessment and triplex ultrasonography. The median follow-up time was 17 months (range 9-42 months). Freedom from restenosis was estimated with Kaplan-Meier curves, using log-rank test for comparison between groups. Variables found to be significantly related to restenosis rates were included in a multivariate analysis performed with the Cox proportional hazards model. Comparison of means of continuous data between two groups was done with Student's t-test and more than two groups with one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Restenoses within 12 months of the operation occurred in 11 cases (11%). Univariate analysis revealed that plasma homocysteine values < or =10 micromol/l and freedom from ischaemic heart disease were both significantly associated with an increased risk of restenosis (p=0.0076 and 0.0059). However, multivariate analysis showed that only plasma homocysteine values <10 micromol/l were independently and significantly associated with an increased risk of restenosis (p=0.046). There were no associations between the degree of atherosclerotic affection of the precerebral circulation or symptoms on one hand and the levels of homocysteine, fibrinogen, D-dimer and activated protein C resistance on the other. CONCLUSION: There seems to be an independent, significant association between homocysteine values within the lower two thirds of the normal range and restenosis after carotid endarterectomy. Studies on the biological properties of human endothelial cells from different types of vasculature and different locations, specifically with respect to homocysteine metabolism and its effect, are warranted.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Pain and quality of life in patients with symptomatic, non-complicated gallbladder stones: results of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cholecystectomy is intended to relieve symptoms of gallstones, but unfortunately some patients will experience postcholecystectomy symptoms, including pain. There is limited information in the literature on gallstone-related pain and its influence on quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine how pain and quality of life in patients with symptomatic, uncomplicated gallbladder stones were affected by observation of their condition compared with removal of the gallbladder. METHODS: One-hundred and thirty-seven patients were randomized to observation (watchful waiting; n = 69) or cholecystectomy (n = 68) and answered questionnaires on pain, quality of life (PGWB index and NHP Part II) at randomization and fixed intervals (6, 12 and 60 months). All gallstone-related events (hospital admission for pain, complications of gallstone disease and cholecystectomy) and crossover between treatment groups were recorded. RESULTS: Of patients randomized to observation, 35 of 69 patients (51%) eventually underwent a cholecystectomy. Significant improvements in quality of life and pain scores were detected regardless of surgical treatment. Patients that subsequently experienced gallstone-related events had significantly higher pain scores at randomization than patients that did not experience any subsequent events, and this difference was maintained throughout follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Unexpectedly, in the majority of patients symptoms did abate without any significant differences between groups in pain and quality of life. Patients that had high intensity and frequency of pain at randomization had a higher risk of experiencing subsequent events.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMed2004

Bias in retrospective studies of trends in asthma incidence.

There is evidence for an increase in adult asthma prevalence. Several retrospective studies have shown an increase in asthma incidence by year of birth, consistent with an increasing trend in asthma incidence. The validity of this retrospective approach is unknown. Retrospective and prospective asthma incidence by year of birth were compared in the same community, during the same time period, from two independent studies; a cohort study and a cross-sectional study in Western Norway. In the prospective study, subjects without asthma were followed from 1985-1996/1997. In the retrospective study in 1998, subjects reported the age at which the disease started. Analyses of incident asthma in the period 1985-1996 were compared between the studies. The retrospective analysis showed a large increase in asthma incidence by year of birth, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.9 comparing those born in 1969 with those born in 1927. The prospective study showed the opposite, with an OR of 0.2 comparing those born in 1969 with those born in 1927. There was only a 20% difference in the cumulative incidence of asthma. To conclude, retrospective estimates of trends in asthma incidence are likely to be severely biased by differential recall.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Remission of respiratory symptoms by smoking and occupational exposure in a cohort study.

Few studies have estimated the remission rates of respiratory symptoms in general populations. No community cohort studies have examined the impact of smoking cessation and previous dust or fumes exposure on the remission of respiratory symptoms. In the Hordaland County Study, an 11-yr community cohort (1985-1996/1997) from Western Norway, data from 2,819 subjects were used to examine the remission of six respiratory symptoms. The measured cumulative remission varied from 42.3% for morning cough to 58.4% for chronic cough. Smoking cessation was a significant predictor of remission of the cough symptoms and wheezing, with odds ratios (OR) (95% confidence intervals (CI)) varying from 2.2 (1.3-3.7) for wheezing to 6.2 (3.5-11.2) for morning cough, after adjustment for sex, age, pack-years smoked, previous dust or fumes exposure, and educational level. In those not previously exposed to dust or fumes, the adjusted OR (95% CI) for the remission of morning cough, phlegm cough, dyspnoea grade 2, attacks of dyspnoea and wheezing varied from 1.5 (0.9-2.5) for attacks of dyspnoea to 2.1 (1.1-3.9) for dyspnoea grade 2, as compared to those previously exposed to dust or fumes. This study suggests a beneficial effect of smoking cessation and an adverse effect of occupational exposure on the remission of respiratory symptoms.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Pulmonary gas exchange and educational level: a community study.

Socio-economic status (SES) is related to increased risk of airway disease in terms of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity. No data are available as to what extent SES predicts alveolar function in a general population. In this cross-sectional study, 1,275 subjects aged 18-73 yrs underwent pulmonary testing, including the single-breath carbon monoxide transfer capacity of the lungs (TL,CO). Educational level was used as an index for SES. Mean +/- SD TL,CO % predicted was 97% among those with primary school education, 99% among those with secondary school education and 104% among those with a university degree. In a multiple linear regression analysis, adjusting for age, height, haemoglobin, carboxyhaemoglobin, smoking habits, occupational exposure, FEV1 and body mass index, TL,CO was significantly related to educational level in males but not in females. Occupational exposure was not significant. In this study, socio-economic status was found to be an independent determinant of TL,CO. Even in an affluent country such as Norway, socio-environmental risk factors may differ based on individuals' SES. Such risk factors may, for instance, be higher exposure to airborne pollutants, poorer housing conditions, or lower consumption of fruit and vegetables. Further exploration is called for.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Pulmonary outcome in adolescents of extreme preterm birth: a regional cohort study.

AIMS: The pulmonary outcome of extreme prematurity remains to be established in adults. We determined respiratory health and lung function status in a population-based, complete cohort of young preterms approaching adulthood. METHODS: Forty-six preterms with gestational age < or = 28 wk or birthweight < or = 1000 g, born between 1982 and 1985, were compared to the temporally nearest term-born subject of equal gender. Spirometry, plethysmography, reversibility test to salbutamol and methacholine bronchial provocation test were performed. Neonatal data were obtained from hospital records and current symptoms from validated questionnaires. RESULTS: When entering the study at a mean age of 17.7 (SD: 1.2) y, a doctor's diagnosis of asthma and use of asthma inhalers were significantly more prevalent among preterms than controls (one asthmatic control compared to nine preterms, all but one using asthma inhalers). Peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were decreased and the discrepancies relative to controls increased parallel to increased severity of neonatal lung disease. Parameters of increased neonatal oxygen exposure significantly predicted FEV1. Adjusted for height, gender and age, FEV1 was reduced by a mean of 580 ml/s in subjects with a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Fifty-six percent of preterms had a positive methacholine provocation test compared to 26% of controls. CONCLUSION: A substantially decreased FEV1, increased bronchial hyperresponsiveness and a number of established risk factors for steeper age-related decline in lung function were observed in preterms. A potential for early onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is present in subsets of this group.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Trends in symptoms of obstructive lung disease in Norway.

SETTING: Evidence is accumulating that there has been an increase in the adult population burden of obstructive lung disease. Has this increased the burden of symptoms? It is possible that diagnostic efficiency has improved, so that milder asthma cases are being diagnosed. OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in symptom burden by asthma diagnosis, age and sex. DESIGN: We performed two postal cross-sectional studies among adults aged 15-70 years in Oslo, Norway, in 1972 and again in 1998/1999 (total = 39998). Changes in 11 self-reported respiratory symptoms were investigated. RESULTS: The prevalence of having at least one symptom increased from 50% to 60% (P < 0.001), and the distribution of symptoms showed an overall increase. Nine symptoms increased in prevalence. The increase was largest among the young and females, and was present in both those with and those without asthma. For any given number of reported symptoms, asthma prevalence was higher in 1998 than in 1972, suggesting increased case finding. CONCLUSION: There has been an increase in the population burden of respiratory symptoms matching the observed increase in young adult asthma, together with a probable increase in the clinical willingness to give an asthma diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Predictive value of tumour cell proliferation in locally advanced breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

We previously reported that defects in apoptotic pathways (mutations in the TP53 gene) predicted resistance to doxorubicin monotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether cell proliferation, as assessed by mitotic frequency and Ki-67 levels, may provide additional predictive information in the same tumours and to assess any potential correlations between these markers and mutations in the TP53 gene and erbB-2 overexpression. Surgical specimens were obtained from ninety locally advanced breast cancers before commencing primary chemotherapy consisting of weekly doxorubicin (14 mg/m2) for 16 weeks. 38% of the patients had a partial response (PR) to therapy, 52% had stable disease (SD) while 10% had progressive disease (PD). Univariate analysis showed a significant association between a high cell proliferation rate (expressed as a high mitotic frequency) and resistance to doxorubicin (P = 0.001). Further analyses revealed this association to be limited to the subgroup of tumour expressing wild-type TP53 (P = 0.016), and TP53 mutation status was the only factor predicting drug resistance in the multivariate analyses. The finding that a high mitotic frequency, as well as a high Ki-67 staining, correlated to TP53 mutations (P = 0.001 for both), suggests TP53 mutations are the key predictor of drug resistance, although cell proliferation may play an additional role in tumours harbouring wild-type TP53. Regarding overall (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS), multivariate analyses (Cox' proportional hazards regression) revealed a high histological grade and negative oestrogen receptor (ER) status to be the variables that were most strongly related to breast cancer death (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). A key reason for this difference with respect to the factors predicting chemotherapy resistance could be due to the adjuvant use of tamoxifen in all patients harbouring ER-positive tumours.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Outbreak of infection with high-level gentamicin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (HLGRE) in a Norwegian hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To examine and characterize a suspected outbreak of high-level gentamicin-resistant Enterococcus (HLGRE) infection. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients with clinical infection diagnosed during hospital stay or within 30 days after discharge in the period from June 1995 to 31 December 1999 were included in the study. One control patient was assigned for each HLGRE patient according to localization in the hospital (same ward), time of admission (+/-3 months), and age (+/-10 years). Unadjusted risk analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed. Sixty-nine HLGRE strains were subjected to PCR amplification of the genes coding for aminoglycoside-3'-O-phosphoryltransferase-III (APH(3')-III) and aminoglycoside-6'-N-acetyltransferase/2"-O-phosphoryltransferase-III (AAC(6')/APH(2")). RESULTS: The gene aacA/aphD, associated with HLGRE, was detected by PCR in all isolates, and the gene aphA3, associated with high-level streptomycin, kanamycin and amikacin resistance, was detected in 56 of the 69 isolates. None of the 69 isolates was resistant to glycopeptides or ampicillin. Resistance to ciprofloxacin was found in 57 (82.6%). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis revealed 12 different genotypes, among which two major clusters dominated. CONCLUSIONS: Both clonal expansion and the emergence of unique strains contributed to the increased number of infections caused by HLGRE. Urinary catheterization, duration of hospital stay and antibiotic therapy were significant risk factors for HLGRE infection.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Long-term changes in adult asthma prevalence.

There has been an increase in asthma prevalence among children. Little evidence is available regarding long-term changes in asthma prevalence in adults. Two cross-sectional studies were performed among adults aged 15-70 yrs in Oslo, Norway, in 1972 and again in 1998-1999 (n=39,998). A postal self-completed questionnaire was used. Exactly the same questions and survey methods were used in both studies. In 1998-1999, additional telephone follow-up was included for postal nonresponders. The crude prevalence of ever having had a doctor's diagnosis of asthma increased from 3.4 to 9.3%. The prevalence of wheezing increased from 17.8 to 25.8% and attacks of breathlessness from 12.6 to 16.7%. After controlling for smoking, the risk of asthma among those aged <40 yrs had tripled. The increase in asthma was 50% greater in females than males. The prevalence of symptoms increased less than asthma diagnosis. Wheezing increased by 50% in those aged <40 yrs, with smaller increases at greater ages. The increase in symptoms was seen among both asthmatics and nonasthmatics. There has been a large increase in the prevalence of asthma diagnosis and asthma-like symptoms in adults. The increase is less pronounced among those aged >40 yrs.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Absence of relationship between tuberculin reactivity and asthmatic symptoms, level of FEV1 and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in BCG vaccinated young adults.

BACKGROUND: Some recent studies have suggested that bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination or mycobacterial infection early in life is inversely related to asthma. We wondered if an increase in tuberculin reactivity was inversely related to commonly used indices of asthma in a population of young adults who were BCG vaccinated at age 14. METHODS: Men and women aged 20-44 years, randomly selected from the general population, were tuberculin tested with the epinephrine-Pirquet method with Norwegian-produced synthetic medium tuberculin (n = 588). In addition they were interviewed using eight questions on asthma symptoms and medication. Lung function and bronchial responsiveness were also tested. RESULTS: Altogether 95% of those studied had been BCG vaccinated at age 14 (n = 558). In the 386 subjects with complete examinations, there was no relationship between a positive tuberculin reaction (> or = 4 mm) and asthma symptoms or use of asthma medication. Furthermore we did not observe any relationship between a positive tuberculin reaction and the level of forced expiratory volume (FEV1) or a positive bronchial responsiveness test, assessed as the percent of predicted of FEV1 and PD20 < 2 mg methacholine, respectively. In multiple logistic regression analyses neither respiratory symptoms, level of FEV1, nor bronchial hyperresponsiveness were related to tuberculin reactivity after adjustment for age, gender and smoking habits. CONCLUSIONS: In this young adult population who were BCG vaccinated at the age of 14 no significant relationship existed between tuberculin reactivity and asthmatic symptoms, level of FEV1 or bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Our data does not support the hypothesis that BCG immunization is beneficial in reducing asthmatic symptoms and disease in young adults.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Tuberculin reactivity: prevalence and predictors in BCG-vaccinated young Norwegian adults.

We studied tuberculin reactivity in young Norwegian adults and its possible dependency on age, gender, previous BCG vaccination, smoking habits, occupational exposure, diet as well as years of education as a measure of socio-economic status. Responders of a random sample of men and women aged 20-44 years living in Bergen, Norway were interviewed and tested withthe adrenaline-Pirquettest with Norwegian-produced synthetic mediumtuberculin at the out-patient chest clinic in the city of Bergen in 1992-1993. Nine hundred and three subjects out of 1200 met for the clinical examination (75%). Five hundred and eighty-eight subjects were tuberculin-tested and read, whereof 95% were BCG vaccinated by age 14. Mean tuberculin reactivity was 4.8 mm (SD: 3.0 mm). A positive reaction (> or = 4 mm) was found in 64%, whereof 7% had a strongly positive reaction (>10 mm). A negative reaction (<4 mm) occurred in 36%, whereof 10% had no reaction (0 mm). Only 30% ofthe females and 36% of the males aged 21--25 years were tuberculin positive 7-12 years after BCG vaccination. Linear regression analysis demonstrated tuberculin reactivity to increase with increasing age, male gender with an increasing sex effect by age, and current smoking. Occupational dust or gas exposure, a diet rich in vitamin C or years of education did not influence tuberculin reactivity significantly.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Incidence of asthma and respiratory symptoms by sex, age and smoking in a community study.

The purpose of this study was to establish incidence rates for a wide range of respiratory symptoms and asthma, and relate them to sex, age, and smoking habits. A cohort established in 1985 as a random sample from the population of Western Norway, aged 15-70 yrs, was followed-up in 1996-1997. Of the initial cohort of 3,786 subjects, a total of 2,819 replied to mailed questionnaires at both baseline and follow-up. The 11-yrs cumulative incidence of asthma was 4.0% in males and 3.5% in females. For respiratory symptoms, the cumulative incidences for both sexes varied between 2.0% (dyspnoea grade 4) and 25.8% (wheezing), being higher in females than males for most symptoms. For calculation of odds ratios (ORs) multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. The sex and smoking-adjusted incidences increased by age for all symptoms except wheezing and attacks of dyspnoea. Those starting to smoke within the follow-up had ORs of 1.9-2.2 for the cough symptoms compared to never-smokers, after adjusting for sex, age, and pack-yrs. To conclude, the 11-yrs incidence of dyspnoea increased with increasing pack-yrs, after adjusting for sex, age, and changes in smoking habits. This indicated that when analysing other risk factors, adjustment has to be made for the risks posed by smoking, sex and age.

Adolescent↗