Biomedical subjects

U Grömping

Publications and source records attributed to U Grömping.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1996

A note on fitting a marginal model to mixed effects log-linear regression data via GEE.

Marginal generalized linear models for correlated data are often fit by generalized estimating equations (Liang, K.Y. and Zeger, S.L., 1986, Biometrika 73, 13-22), which requires the marginal expectation to be correctly specified while the covariance structure is allowed to be misspecified. This note is concerned with the correct specification of the marginal mean for data from a mixed log-linear regression model and the relationship between the true subject-specific parameters and the true marginal parameters.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1995

[Cohort study of respiratory diseases and lung function in school children in Southwest Germany. 4. Inner city environment influences on respiratory diseases in Mannheim].

A prospective cohort study on more than 8000 schoolchildren aged 8 to 16 years was conducted during the years 1977, 1979 and 1985 in Southwest Germany. The primary question of the study was to investigate the regional differences in respiratory health status of the children due to air pollution. In a logistic regression analysis of 11 respiratory symptoms and 2 scores measuring the tendency to infectious and asthmatic diseases we found increased odds ratios for respiratory symptoms for children living in Mannheim or the Breisgau compared to those living in the Black Forest. The regional effects were highest in the population of children aged 8-10 years and disappeared for the 16 years old adolescents. The relative risks of infectious respiratory symptoms agree spatially and temporarily well with the pattern of SO2 concentration which may be interpreted as an indicator for air pollution by power plants, industry and domestic heating. In this part of the analysis we investigate the increased prevalences of symptoms and diseases with respect to exposure related to small areas within the city of Mannheim. To classify the personal exposure we use emission data related to areas and main roads and emission data on the level of square kilometers which are connected with the health data by the children's home address. Symptoms and diseases are analysed by logistic regression and the results depend on data of those children who had lived for at least 5 years in the same area (n77 = 1146, n79 = 1140, n85 = 1128). After allowing for the effects of relevant covariables an association of the prevalence of respiratory and asthmatic illness to exposure due to automobile exhaust (traffic density, NO2 and soot), SO2 or ozone was not seen. Thus no evidence was found to suggest that there is a relationship between the spatial pattern of exposure data and the pattern of respiratory symptoms for children living in Mannheim.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

[Cohort study of respiratory tract diseases and lung function in school children in southwest Germany. 2. Regional influences on respiratory tract diseases in Mannheim and the Freiburg area].

A prospective cohort study on 8124 schoolchildren aged 8 to 16 was conducted during the years 1977, 1979 and 1985 in Mannheim and two regions near Freiburg (Breisgau and the Black Forest). The objective of this part of the analysis was to investigate the regional differences in respiratory symptoms due to air pollution. Results are presented of 5726 children who had been living in those regions for at least five years at the times of interview. We have analysed 11 respiratory symptoms and two scores, measuring the tendency to infectious and asthmatic diseases, by logistic regression. Comparing the children living 1977 in Mannheim or the Breisgau to those living in the Black Forest the Relative Risks (Odds Ratios) of respiratory symptoms are in the range of 1.26-1.85 and 1.21-1.96 respectively. The results for the year 1979 are similar. In 1985 the regional effect has become smaller and no difference can be observed between Breisgau and the Black Forest. The infect score comprises bronchitis, inflamed throat with fever and sinusitis. The Relative Risk of an increased score decreases from 1.67 in 1977 to 1.65 in 1979 and 1.35 in 1985 in Mannheim and from 1.40 to 1.28 and 1.05 respectively in the Breisgau. The results of asthma and asthma symptoms are not homogeneous. In the Breisgau 1977 and 1979 the Relative Risk of an increased asthma score is slightly higher compared to the Black Forest. Allergies of the skin are reported more often in Mannheim than in the other areas. The Relative Risks of infectious respiratory symptoms and diseases agree spatially and temporarily well with the pattern of SO2 concentration. SO2 may be interpreted as an indicator for air pollution by power plants, industry and domestic heating.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

[Cohort study on respiratory diseases and lung function in schoolchildren in southwest Germany. I. study design, prevalence and incidence of respiratory diseases].

A prospective cohort study on schoolchildren was conducted during the years 1977, 1979 and 1985 in Mannheim and the Black Forest county near Freiburg to investigate the regional differences in respiratory diseases and symptoms. Each survey included a lung function test and questions on respiratory symptoms. The response rates were high (84% averaged over the years and areas). A total of 8514 children participated in the study, 2066 children took part in two and 1486 in all three surveys. Prevalence and incidence rates of 11 respiratory and allergic diseases are reported in part 1 of the publication. In further parts, prevalence will be analysed using regression techniques and a comparison in the development of lung function between the different regions will follow. In general, prevalences of the respiratory and allergic diseases were higher for boys than girls at age 8-10. In contrast, 16 year old girls were equally affected and sometimes showed higher prevalences than boys except for asthma. 1977 and 1979 higher prevalences of respiratory symptoms were found in Mannheim compared to Freiburg. Allergic symptoms occurred more frequently in the area around Freiburg. No difference in prevalence and incidence could be demonstrated for the year 1985 between the two regions.

Adolescent↗