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I J Skarpaas

Publications and source records attributed to I J Skarpaas.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Changing prevalence of asthma in school children: evidence for diagnostic changes in asthma in two surveys 13 yrs apart.

It is still unclear whether the reported increase in the prevalence of asthma is real or due to changes in diagnostic criteria. The objectives of this study were to compare the prevalence of diagnosed asthma with the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, and to compare the association between asthma and other atopic diseases in 1981 and 1994. The study populations comprised randomly selected school classes in Oslo in 1981 (n=1,772) and 1994 (n=2,577). The main outcomes in these comparable cross-sectional studies of children, 6-16 yrs of age, were parent-reported prevalence of diagnosed asthma, respiratory symptoms, eczema and hay fever. The questionnaire was identical in 1981 and 1994. The response rates were 94% (1,674 out of 1,772) in 1981 and 85% (2,188 out of 2,577) in 1994. The lifetime prevalence of asthma increased from 3.4% in 1981 to 9.3% in 1994; odds ratio (OR) 2.9 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.1-4.0) comparing 1994 to 1981. The prevalence of occasional wheezing increased from 9.0 to 10.8%; OR 1.2 (95% CI 1.0-1.5), and attacks of wheezing from 3.7 to 6.8%; OR 1.8 (95% CI 1.3-2.5). Survival analyses for 3 year birth cohorts showed that asthma was more readily diagnosed in the latest birth cohort (1985-1988). The association between asthma and other atopic diseases decreased during the period under study. The increase in diagnosed asthma and respiratory symptoms supports a true increase in asthma. However, the larger increase in diagnosed asthma than wheezing and a reduced association between asthma and other atopic diseases suggest that the increase in asthma may be explained, in part, by changes in diagnostic criteria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Prevalence of bronchial asthma in schoolchildren in Oslo, Norway. Comparison of data obtained in 1993 and 1981.

In 1993, 4521 schoolchildren in Oslo, Norway, participated in a European study on air pollution and respiratory health. Incorporated in the primary questionnaire were five questions taken from a study performed 12 years earlier on 1772 schoolchildren in the same city. The response rate was 85% in 1993 vs 95% in 1981. The current and cumulative prevalences of doctor-diagnosed asthma in 1993 were 4.2% and 8.0%, respectively, compared to 2.2% (P < 0.01) and 3.4% (P < 0.01) in 1981. Attacks of breathlessness during the last 3 years were experienced by 7.1% in 1993 and 3.3% in 1981 (P < 0.05). Wheezing or breathlessness on exposure to pollen in 1993 and 1981 was reported by 6.1% and 3.7% (P < 0.01), respectively; to animals by 4.0% and 2.8% (P < 0.05); and to exercise by 10.2% and 4.8% (P < 0.01). The prevalence of occasional wheezing and the cumulative prevalence of doctor-diagnosed eczema, urticaria, and hay fever were not significantly altered. To summarize, a higher prevalence of both doctor-diagnosed asthma and symptoms of obstructive airways disease was reported by children attending primary school in Oslo in 1993 than 12 years earlier. No increase was observed in the prevalence of other atopic diseases.

Asthma↗
PubMed1992

[Asthma and pregnancy].

About 1% of all pregnant women suffer from asthma. It is important to know how pregnancy may affect the patient's asthma, and how asthma may influence the course of the pregnancy, the foetus, delivery and the child's postnatal status. It is also important to know the influence of drugs on foetus, the delivery and the nursing period. The greatest risk in pregnancy is poorly controlled asthma leading to hypoxemia. The current, well-known drugs for asthma can be used with safety in pregnancy and during the nursing period.

Asthma↗
PubMed1987

An unexpected reaction towards disodium cromoglycate.

In recent years disodium cromoglycate has become a useful tool in handling allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma. Very few side effects have been reported, and the drug's working mechanism is thought to be its "mast cell stabilizing" effect. A patient with an immediate type I reaction to DSCG is reported on.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Prevalence of bronchial asthma and respiratory symptoms in schoolchildren in Oslo.

During the school year 1980-81 a survey questionnaire was carried out among schoolchildren aged 7 to 15 years in Oslo. The survey population comprised 39,162 children attending compulsory primary school. The questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of 1772 children in 81 classes, forms 1 to 9, and the response rate was 95%. The prevalence of physician-diagnosis of current and cumulative asthma was 1.6% and 3.1%, respectively. Of those with current asthma 68% used asthma drugs regularly. Occasional wheezing and attacks of breathlessness were reported by 9% and 4%, respectively. Wheezing and breathlessness on exposure to pollen (4.5%), animals (3.1%) and exercise (5.5%) was reported more frequently than physician-diagnosis of asthma. The cumulative prevalence of either hay fever, eczema, urticaria or asthma was 17%. More boys than girls under the age of 12 had a physician-diagnosis of asthma.

Adolescent↗