Respiratory symptoms/diseases prevalence is still increasing: a 25-yr population study. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maio, Sara; Baldacci, Sandra; Carrozzi, Laura; Pistelli, Francesco; Angino, Anna; Simoni, Marzia; Sarno, Giuseppe; Cerrai, Sonia; Martini, Franca; Fresta, Martina; Silvi, Patrizia; Di Pede, Francesco; Guerriero, Massimo; Viegi, Giovanni
• Is Part Of: Respiratory medicine. Volume 110(2016)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Prevalence trends -- General population -- Risk factors; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Thorax -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2015.11.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-6111

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Few epidemiological surveys on general population samples estimated changes in prevalence of respiratory symptoms/diseases over a long time interval; our study aims to quantify the temporal changes in the prevalence rates of asthma, allergic rhinitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) after 25 years from baseline. Methods: A general population sample participated in 3 cross-sectional surveys carried out in Central Italy (Pisa) in 1985–88 (n = 3865), 1991–93 (n = 2841), 2009–11 (n = 1620). 2276 (47%) subjects participated in at least 1 survey, 1723 (35.5%) in at least 2 surveys and 849 (17.5%) in all the 3 surveys. All subjects filled in a standardized questionnaire about health status and risk factors; a sub-sample performed spirometry. Chi-square test was used to compare adjusted prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms/diseases and descriptive characteristics among the surveys. Generalised estimating equations (GEE) were used to analyze the association between respiratory symptoms/diseases and risk factors. Results: There was an increasing trend in prevalence rates of all respiratory symptoms/diseases throughout the surveys: current asthma attacks (1st–3rd survey prevalence: 3.4–7.2%), allergic rhinitis (16.2–37.4%), usual phlegm (8.7–19.5%) and COPD (2.1–6.8%) more than doubled. The GEE model confirmed these increasing trends, indicating higher risk of having respiratory symptoms/diseases in the second and third surveys. Conclusions: While asthma and allergic rhinitis increasing trends were confirmed, with respect to other international studies, also a COPD increasing prevalence rates was shown. Highlights: Few studies assessed the changes in prevalence rates in the general population. New information on the entire population have been added, in particular for COPD and AO. Respiratory symptoms/diseases are still on the increase. Current asthma attacks, allergic rhinitis, usual phlegm and COPD almost doubled.