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Biomedical subjects

F Neukirch

Publications and source records attributed to F Neukirch.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

The relation between snoring and smoking, body mass index, age, alcohol consumption and respiratory symptoms.

Potential risk factors for snoring were studied in a population of 457 middle-aged men. Eversnoring was reported by 60% of the men and snoring with an age of onset before or equal to 20 years by 13%. Eversnoring was significantly related to older age, higher body mass index and smoking habits. Alcohol consumption, estimated by questionnaire and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was unrelated to a history of snoring. Logistic regression showed that snoring was independently associated with age, body mass index and smoking habits. An exposure-effect relationship clearly appeared between tobacco consumption and snoring. After adjustment for smoking habits, none of the upper or lower respiratory symptoms was significantly related to snoring.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Leukocyte count and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

The relationship of total and differential blood leukocyte counts with bronchial methacholine response was studied in a population-based sample of 324 men. Geometric mean total leukocyte counts were significantly higher in reactors (6567 cells/mm3) than in nonreactors (5732 cells/mm3; p = 0.003). After adjusting for smoking habits, a factor contributing to both an elevation in peripheral leukocyte count and an increased level of airway responsiveness, reactor status remained significantly associated with leukocyte count. This association also persisted after controlling, with a logistic model, for atopy and common cold (marker of infection) and after excluding men with a history of asthma, chronic bronchitis, or low FEV1. Study of the differential leukocyte counts has shown that an increase was present for almost every type of leukocyte, and particularly evident for neutrophils. Whether these findings reflect an association between bronchial hyperresponsiveness and cellular inflammation needs more investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Prevalence of asthma among teenagers attending school in Tahiti.

The prevalence of asthma was studied in 6731 adolescents (average age 13.5 years, 48.6% boys) attending school in three towns of the isle of Tahiti, according to the ethnic origin of both parents. The pupils completed a self-administered questionnaire in class; 14.3% gave an affirmative answer to the question "Have you ever had attacks of asthma?" (cumulative prevalence). That prevalence was 11.4% in the Europeans, 13.7% in the Chinese, 13.8% in the Polynesians, 15.3% in those whose parents were "halves" (half-bred from Polynesians and Europeans), and 16.0% in the miscellaneous group (= other origins) (P less than 0.02). Asthma was significantly more frequent in boys only among the Europeans and those with one European parent. The results of this study confirm the high prevalence of asthma in French Polynesia found in a previous study. They give no evidence of a racial difference in prevalence but suggest an influence of environment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Allergy and occupational exposure to hydroquinone and to methionine.

Respiratory manifestations have been reported after exposure to hydroquinone and to methionine. One hundred and three men in the same chemical plant were divided into three groups according to their exposure and compared by questionnaire, respiratory functional tests with methacholine then salbutamol challenges, and measurements of serum immunoglobulins G and E. Group H included 33 workers exposed to hydroquinone, trimethyl-hydroquinone, and retinene-hydroquinone. Group M included 15 workers exposed to methionine. Group C was a control group of 55 workers. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher in the two exposed groups. Before challenges, pulmonary function values were significantly lower in groups H and M than those in group C. The challenges induced significant variations in the three groups but these variations were less pronounced in group M than in the other groups. The level of immunoglobulin G in group H (m +/- SD = 12.5 gram/liter +/- 2.6) was significantly higher than in group C (10.6 gram/liter +/- 2.4; p less than 0.002). The level of immunoglobulin E in group H (m = 140 IU/l) was also higher in group C (109 IU/l) but this difference was not significant. These findings suggest that exposure to methionine and to hydroquinone and its derivatives induce ventilatory impairment, perhaps by an immunological mechanism.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Relation of perceived nasal and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to FEV1, basophil counts, and methacholine response.

Perceived nasal and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to tobacco smoke and cold air were assessed in 912 working men in the Paris area. Baseline lung function measurements and peripheral leucocyte counts with standard differential counts were performed. At least one perceived nasal or bronchial hyperresponsiveness symptom was reported by 15.7%. Current smoking was significantly less frequent among those with cough induced by tobacco smoke. Rhinitis induced by cold air was associated with lower FEV1 (p less than 0.01) and the association remained after adjustment for smoking, asthma, and wheezing (p = 0.06). Symptoms induced by cold air were related to circulating basophils. Neither perceived nasal nor perceived bronchial hyperresponsiveness was significantly related to the airway response to methacholine in a sample of the group (n = 324) surveyed again five years later. The result suggest that the symptom of rhinitis provoked by cold air is a possible "new" risk factor or marker for chronic airflow limitation.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Spirometry and maximal expiratory flow-volume curve reference standards for Polynesian, European, and Chinese teenagers.

Lung function was compared and reference standards were determined in 1,007 Polynesian, European, and Chinese teenagers attending school in Tahiti (517 boys, 490 girls; mean age, 14.4 years). Spirometric study results and maximal expiratory flow-volume curves were measured using techniques recommended by the American Thoracic Society. Age, standing height, and weight were chosen as the independent variables for males, and age and standing height for females. Regression equations constructed with logarithmically transformed dependent variables provided accurate predictions. We observed significant racial differences: in the Europeans, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were higher than the mean values predicted for the whole study population, while forced expiratory flow during the middle half of the FVC (FEF25-75%) and maximal expiratory flows after 25, 50, and 75 percent of FVC had been exhaled (V max 25, 50, and 75, respectively) were about equal to the mean values; in the Polynesians, volumes and flows were mostly lower than the mean; in the Chinese, FVC in boys and girls, and FEV1 in girls only, were lower, while the other flows were higher. The FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75%/FVC, Vmax25/FVC, Vmax50/FVC, and Vmax75/FVC were significantly higher than the mean in the Chinese boys and girls and often lower in the Europeans.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Chronic bronchitis. Development, prevention].

The adoption of an arbitrary epidemiological definition for chronic bronchitis has enabled some progress to be made in the understanding of the frequency and natural course of this disease. It is important to distinguish between chronic airflow obstruction and chronic hypersecretion of bronchial mucus. The prevalence of the disease can only be assessed in selective groups of the population and varies according to the characteristics of these groups, but is approximately 15% of men and 8% of women. There is relatively low mortality in France: 6/100,000 in 1985 and varies according to the departments, up to 38/100,000 inhabitants. These data ought to be interpreted with care and it is also important to take account of factors linked to their evolution. Longitudinal studies undertaken 20 years ago have allowed two hypotheses to be formulated to aid in a more precise understanding of the natural history of the disease: the first of these was the Dutch hypothesis which is currently undergoing a renewal of interest linked to epidemiological studies on HRB, and the English hypothesis which has the merit of emphasizing the principal risk factor in chronic bronchitis. Certain smokers are sensitive to tobacco, even though some others are not. Does the explanation of this lie in the relationship between obstructive ventilatory problems and bronchial hyper-reactivity? This association is discussed in the light of recent work as well as the relationship between bronchial hyperactivity, smoking and chronic bronchitis. Other risk factors have been studied: occupational hazards, air pollution and acute respiratory infections in childhood. But, in spite of all the work carried out to better define the risk factors and prognosis of the disease, this makes up a complex overall picture which is poorly understood and which should stimulate us to further research. The prevention of the disorder should be aimed at three levels; at the primary level (to prevent the appearance of the disorder) the only objective which may lead to a satisfactory solution in public health terms, a secondary level would be to identify those people or groups at special risk, but it is not recommended to undertake systematic examination of large populations in view of the fact that the early diagnosis of non-specific chronic pulmonary disease as well as special studies have not been shown to demonstrate the value of these procedures. The objective of prevention is to eliminate or neutralise factors linked to the disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Physical properties of the aorta and left ventricular geometry evaluated by Doppler echocardiography in normal subjects].

UNLABELLED: In 45 normotensive subjects (21-84 years) we simultaneously measured: 1) arterial pressure (AP) according to guidelines of the World-health-organization; 2) left ventricular (LV) wall thickness (WT) and antero-posterior radius (r), aortic diameter (AD) by M-mode echo with 2D echo control; 3) isthmus--diaphragm pulse wave delay (PWD) by measurement of time, between the foot of aortic velocity curves, respectively in the isthmus and near the diaphragm; 4) sternal length (L). We derived WT/r ratio, pulse wave velocity (PWV) as the ratio L/PWD, the product AD X PWD and the PWD/AD. RESULTS: AP, WT/r, PWD, PWV, AD, AD X CFD, PWD/AD are significantly correlated with age (respective r = 0.30, p = 0.05; r = 0.61, p less than 0.001; r = -0.67, p less than 0.001; r = 0.73, p less than 0.001; r = 0.61, p less than 0.001; r = -0.49, p less than 0.001; r = 0.52, p less than 0.001. WT/r is significantly correlated with PWD (r = -0.52, p less than 0.001); PWV (r = 0.50, p less than 0.001); AD (r = 0.44, p less than 0.03); AD X PWD (r = -0.38, p = 0.01) and PWD/AD (r = 0.35, p less than 0.02) but not systolic AP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Variation of lung function during the workshift among cotton and jute workers.

Cotton and jute dust exposure is known to induce reversible airway obstruction. We compared 50 exposed workers to 99 non exposed workers for the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory impairment, and for variations in pulmonary function after five working days and after inhalation of salbutamol. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was not significantly different between the two groups. Pulmonary function was not different on Monday morning, however, significant differences were observed on Friday afternoon. The exposed workers had a lower flow rate at 75% of exhaled forced vital capacity than controls (P less than 0.01). Salbutamol induced greater bronchodilatation in the exposed group. Comparison with a control group is necessary to take into account the change in pulmonary function. Repeated tests, combined with pharmacological tests, are able to differentiate the lung function pattern of exposed and non exposed workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Prevalence of asthma in adolescents in various parts of France and its relationship to respiratory allergic manifestations.

Six studies have been carried out in France and French Polynesia to investigate the prevalence of asthma in adolescents attending secondary school and in Paris university students (68,179 subjects overall). All the studies used the same questionnaire, self-administered in the classroom, and interviews administered to students during the university's preventive medicine examination. An epidemiologic definition of asthma was considered an affirmative answer to the question, "Have you ever had attacks of asthma?" The prevalence of asthma ranged from 4 to 12 percent, most often higher in boys with a tendency to increase with age. The relationship between asthma and other allergic respiratory conditions was studied. Some recommendations are made here to improve the validity of data and to increase knowledge about the etiology of asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Relationships between functional measurements and childhood respiratory diseases according to the age of onset.

In a working population of 912 men, aged 22 to 54 years, 8.3% reported a history of childhood respiratory illness before 16 years of age. Those reporting a history of bronchitis or pneumonia (BP) before 2 years of age had significantly lower FEV1 values than those who did not report such a history, whereas those reporting BP at a later age, or primary tuberculosis, did not have lower values. The observed association was unlikely to be due to preferential recall bias, since BP before 2 years of age was not associated with a higher reported prevalence of current respiratory symptoms of cough, phlegm, or dyspnea, and the observed association remained after exclusion of those with a history of wheezing or asthma. Furthermore, the relation remained significant after taking into account parental smoking, Pi phenotype and a history of eczema in childhood. These results suggest that BP before 2 years of age, a period of rapid alveolar multiplication, may be related to the occurrence of adult chronic air-flow limitation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Pattern-character analysis of flow volume-curve for diagnosis of pulmonary obstruction.

This study presents a different approach of the maximum expiratory flow volume curve analysis. Instead of computing only its classical parameters, we are interested in the perceptible components it raises up, that is its pattern. Patterns have been quantified and classified with algorithms used in pattern recognition. A criterion of likeness and a criterion of proximity of each character curve with a standard pattern are calculated. It permits to associate a character and a normal or a pathological standard pattern. The automata which has been designed for automatic and real-time acquisition and computation of the test is described. Results on populations of children and obstructive patients are then presented. It lets us assess the ability of the system for early bronchial diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Eosinophils, smoking, and lung function. An epidemiologic survey among 912 working men.

The relationship of eosinophilia with smoking habits and with baseline lung function measurements has been studied in a working population of 912 men in the Paris area. Absolute numbers of eosinophils were related significantly to a history of asthma and eczema in childhood as well as to current tobacco consumption, whereas the percentage of eosinophils was related only to the occurrence of asthma and eczema. Forced expiratory volume in one second adjusted for smoking was significantly related to asthma, the presence of a common cold on the day of examination among those with a history of wheezing, and the percentage of eosinophils. The association between FEV and eosinophils was restricted to never smokers. Among never smokers without a history of asthma, eczema, wheezing, or a common cold on the day of examination, eosinophil percentages and counts were significantly associated with the level of FEV; eosinophil percentages explained 4.4% of the variance of FEV. These results suggest that eosinophilia might be a risk factor for chronic air-flow limitation among adult nonsmokers.

Adult↗