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Height and age adjustment for cross sectional studies of lung function in children aged 6-11 years.

BACKGROUND: No standard exists for the adjustment of lung function for height and age in children. Multiple regression should not be used on untransformed data because, for example, forced expiratory volume (FEV1), though normally distributed for height, age, and sex, has increasing standard deviation. A solution to the conflict is proposed. METHODS: Spirometry on representative samples of children aged 6.5 to 11.99 years in primary schools in England. After exclusion of children who did not provide two repeatable blows 910 white English boys and 722 girls had data on FEV1 and height. Means and standard deviations of FEV1 divided by height were plotted to determine whether logarithmic transformation of FEV1 was appropriate. Multiple regression was used to give predicted FEV1 for height and age on the transformed scale; back transformation gave predicted values in litres. Other lung function measures were analysed, and data on inner city children, children from ethnic minority groups, and Scottish children were described. RESULTS: After logarithmic (ln) transformation of FEV1 standard deviation was constant. The ratios of actual and predicted values of FEV1 were normally distributed in boys and girls. From the means and standard deviations of these distributions, and the predicted values, centiles and standard deviation scores can be calculated. CONCLUSION: The method described is valid because the assumption of stable variance for multiple regression was satisfied on the log scale and the variation of ratios of actual to predicted values on the original scale was well described by a normal distribution. The adoption of the method will lead to uniformity and greater ease of comparison of research findings.

Age Factors↗

'Normal' lung function in rural Australian aborigines.

BACKGROUND: Although lung diseases are a leading cause of premature mortality in Australian Aborigines, little is known about normal lung function in these people. AIM: To develop models for 'normal' spirometric function in rural Australian Aborigines. METHOD: A cross-sectional population-based study of four rural Aboriginal communities was performed in Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia, Australia. We studied 261 children aged seven-19 years and 332 adults aged 20-80 years who were free of symptoms and had no clinical signs of chronic lung disease. The outcome measures were forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Multiple linear regression was used to develop models for FEV1 and FVC and comparisons were made with Caucasians and indigenous people from other countries. RESULTS: The Aboriginal people studied had FEV1 and FVC values that were lower (20% and 30% respectively) than those found in Caucasians of the same height, age and gender. As a consequence, they had relatively high FEV1/FVC ratios. Those studied also had forced expiratory volumes that were lower than those found in African Americans and other indigenous peoples. CONCLUSIONS: Apparently healthy rural Aboriginal people have low forced expiratory volumes when contrasted with Caucasians and indigenous peoples such as African Americans. More research is required to determine if this is 'normal' or a product of the suboptimal environment into which many Aboriginal people are born.

Adolescent↗

Lung function in relation to haemodynamic status after atrial redirection for transposition of the great arteries.

To assess the interplay between haemodynamic sequelae and lung function after atrial redirection for transposition of the great arteries, we investigated 15 Mustard (age 12.0-22.0 years), and 15 Senning patients (age 7.2-12.1 years). As diagnosed at cardiac catheterization and ultracardiography, 16 (11 Mustard) had major haemodynamic sequelae, including systemic ventricle dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary venous obstruction, systemic venous obstruction and atrial septal defects. Static and dynamic lung volumes, ventilation distribution and diffusion capacity were assessed by body plethysmography, spirometry, the single-breath nitrogen test (N2slope) and the single-breath method for diffusion capacity (DLCO) respectively. Apart from DLCO, our own reference values were used for comparison. We found small lung volumes, a high functional residual capacity, a high N2slope and a low DLCO. Tests of > 2SD in the abnormal direction were more prevalent in the Mustard group (P = 0.06) and significantly more prevalent in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Six had normal lung function tests, 15 had unclassified abnormalities, three had small lungs and three had central airway obstruction. Peripheral airway obstruction was only present in three of four subjects with moderate or severe pulmonary hypertension. The study confirms some previous reports indicating a high frequency of lung function abnormalities in these patient groups and discusses a possible relationship to haemodynamic status.

Adolescent↗

[Foodborne infections in Iceland. Relationship to allergy and lung function].

BACKGROUND: Foodborne or orofecal transmitted infections can have influence on health by direct consequences of the infection and indirectly by modulating the immune system. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors for T. gondii, H. pylori and HAV infection in the Icelandic population and their influence on atopy, allergy related lung symptoms and lung function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected in 1999-2001 from 505 subjects in age group 28-52, randomly selected from the Icelandic population. The presence of T. gondii, H. pylori and HAV IgG antibodies was determined by an ELISA method. Allergy related lung symptoms were assessed with questionnaire and IgE sensitization and lung function measured. X(2) test was used to test for trend but unadjusted logistic regression for comparison of IgG prevalence. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for different infections factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of antibodies was 9.8%, for T. gondii, 36.3% for H. pylori and 4.9% for HAV. Attending day care before the age of 3 years was a risk factor for having T. gondii antibodies. The prevalence of H. pylori increased with age and smoking. The infections were not associated with the prevalence of asthma or atopy. Having IgG antibodies against T. gondii was, however, associated with an increased risk of having FEV/FVC ratio below 70%. CONCLUSION: T. gondii, H. pylori and H AV infection does not influence the prevalence of atopy or asthma. The data indicated that infection with T. gondii might be associated with a diminished lung function.

Adult↗

Spouse selection and environmental effects on spouse correlation in lung function measures.

PURPOSE: Concordance between spouses may be due to partner selection factors and/or the effects of marriage/environment. The extent to which partner selection factors contribute to spouse concordance has important implications for heritability studies. The aim of this study was to examine the magnitude of spouse correlation in lung function measures and its relationship to duration of marriage. METHODS: Cross-sectional and longitudinal data collected over the period 1969 to 1995 for 2615 couples from the Busselton Health Study have been analyzed using the program FISHER. RESULTS: Unadjusted correlations were around 0.45 for forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and 0.25 for FEV1/FVC (forced vital capacity) and were reduced to 0.05 and 0.10, respectively, after adjustment for age, height, and smoking. No trend with marriage duration was apparent in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses but there was a significant downward trend in the correlations with age at marriage. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that observed correlations in lung function measures are mostly due to partner selection factors and that partner selection factors have greater influence for couples that marry at younger ages. Family studies that aim to identify and separate genetic from other influences on lung function measures should not regard the mother-father correlation as due to common environment effects.

Adult↗

[Lung function disorders in Sjögren's syndrome].

Pulmonary function tests were performed in 15 patients with Sjögren's Syndrome (SS). All patients presented with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as well as with sicca syndrome. The mean values of residual volume, compliance and diffusion capacity were found to be abnormal. Vital capacity was abnormal in 40 percent of patients with SS, residual volume in 46 percent, compliance in 60 percent, and diffusion capacity in 66 percent respectively. The lung function was apparently affected more severely in SS than in rheumatoid arthritis. Thus in addition to the well known changes of lung function occuring in rheumatoid arthritis, progressing fibrosis might also contribute to a more extensive impairment of the lung function in SS. Although symptoms of chronic bronchitis and coughs were prevalent in our patients, obstruction was only observed in a comparatively small number.

Adult↗

Allergy to mites: relation to lung function and airway hyperresponsiveness.

Exposure to house-dust-mite allergens is an important cause of allergic reactions in sensitized patients. In community-based studies, sensitization to house-dust mites, as ascertained by a positive skin test or by an increased allergen-specific IgE level in serum, is associated with both diminished lung function and enhanced airway hyperresponsiveness. Sensitization to house-dust mites is an independent risk factor for the development of asthma, especially in areas which favor the growth of house-dust mites. In studies with asthmatic patients, however, the relationship between sensitization to mites and lung function or airway hyperresponsiveness is less clear. The selection of asthmatic individuals (with sensitization to other inhalant allergens) and the use of medication such as inhaled steroids may interfere with the demonstration of a possible association between mite allergy and lung function or airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic patients.

Adolescent↗

Early predictors for adult asthma and lung function abnormalities in infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis: a prospective 18- to 20-year follow-up.

In the present cohort, 85% of infants hospitalized for wheezing outgrew their symptoms until puberty, but 30-40% had asthma, depending on criteria, again in young adulthood. The aim of this study was to determine early predictors for adulthood asthma, bronchial reactivity, and lung function abnormalities in infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis. Fifty-two children hospitalized for bronchiolitis at < 2 years of age were restudied at the median age of 19 years. Wheezing histories and early risk factors for later asthma were recorded prospectively during infancy. The follow-up study consisted of a written questionnaire, physical examination, flow-volume spirometry, methacholine inhalation challenge, home peak expiratory flow monitoring, and skin-prick tests. In univariate analyses, parental asthma and repeated wheezing at age the age of 0-1 years and 0-2 years predicted adulthood asthma. Repeated wheezing at age the age of 0-1 years predicted later bronchial reactivity. Onset and recurrence of wheezing at < 1 year of age, parental atopy and asthma, and maternal smoking during infancy were related to subnormal lung function parameters. In multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for sex, age on admission, current smoking, and atopy in infancy and, currently, repeated wheezing both at < 1 year and < 2 years of age was an independent predictor for adulthood asthma. Parental asthma and repeated wheezing predict adulthood asthma in infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis, and maternal smoking predisposes them to lung function impairment in adulthood.

Adult↗

The ageing of lung function: cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of an Inuit community.

Three surveys (1969/1970, 1979/1980 and 1989/1990) have examined the impact of acculturation to a sedentary lifestyle on the pulmonary function of a circumpolar native Inuit community. The sample comprised more than 50% of those aged 20-60 yrs, most recently 119 males and 92 females. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) were measured by standard spirometric techniques, and information was obtained on smoking habits and health. Multiple regression equations showed that lung function was affected by height and age, but usually not by age squared. Cross-sectional age coefficients for FVC and FEV1 increased over the period 1969/1970 to 1989/1990. Parallel longitudinal trends were seen in FEV1 (males only). Multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed age-decade*cohort effects for FVC and FEV1 (males but not females). Almost all of the population now smoke (mean +/- SD males 13 +/- 8 cigarettes.day-1; females 11 +/- 7 cigarettes.day-1). However, smoking bears little relationship to lung function perhaps due to limited variance in consumption. About a third of the community have physician-diagnosed and/or radiographically visible chest disease, but with little effect upon pulmonary function. We conclude that an apparent secular trend to a faster ageing of lung function in men is not explained by disease or domestic air pollution. Possible factors include increased lung volumes in young adults, greater pack-years of cigarette exposure, nonspecific respiratory disease, increased inspiration of cold air or altered chest mechanics due to operation of high-speed snowmobiles, and loss of physical fitness.

Acculturation↗

[Lung function measurement of small airway obstruction in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia].

Small airway obstruction in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia was studied in 54 cases of interstitial pneumonia accompanied by restrictive, but not obstructive impairment (%VC less than 80%, FEV1/FVC% greater than 70%). Correlation analysis of %VC showed that small airway obstruction seemed to play a role in the decrease in VC in these cases. Cases were then divided into two groups. In group A, restrictive impairment was caused by the decrease in TLC (%TLC less than 80% & %RV less than 120%) and in group B, it was caused by increase in RV (%TLC greater than 80% & %RV greater than 120). Cases of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) were preferentially categorized into group A. Statistical comparison of the lung function measurements revealed that lung parenchyma was altered less severely whereas small airway obstruction was more advanced in group B than group A. Group B was divided into two subgroups, the subgroups of IIP cases and of the other disease cases, and the latter had a larger lung volume and more severely impaired small airway function. Furthermore, IIP cases from group A had less severely altered lung parenchyma than IIP cases from group B. Smoking habits did not seem to be related to these results. The results indicate that in most cases of interstitial pneumonia other than IIP, the lung function was characterized by small airway obstruction rather than decreased lung volume, and some cases of IIP also showed a similar trend. In addition, a long-term study of lung function was made in some cases of interstitial pneumonia and it was shown that small airway obstruction could change in severity after a time interval.

Aged↗

Can exposure to coalmine dust cause a severe impairment of lung function?

It is well recognised that exposure to respirable coalmine dust causes a reduction in lung function but it has not been clear whether the impairment of function is sufficient to cause disability, unless progressive massive fibrosis occurs. From a study of 4059 men without progressive massive fibrosis who worked in the coal industry for at least ten years from the 1950s, and who were followed up and re-examined medically more than 20 years later, a subgroup was selected using criteria intended to favour those who may have suffered greater than average effects of dust exposure. These 199 men had left the coal industry before normal retiral age, had taken other jobs, and had reported symptoms of chronic bronchitis at follow up. The inverse relation between dust exposure and FEV1 among these 199 men was much more severe than the average effects previously shown among more representative groups of coalminers. The effect of exposure to respirable dust was estimated conservatively as an impairment of about 2 ml FEV1 per unit of dust exposure (gh/m3). The estimated effect among ex-smokers was more severe. These compare with a previous estimate, based on a less selected population, of 0.6 ml FEV1 per gh/m3. The new estimate in this group of 199 men corresponds to an average loss of 600 ml FEV1 in response to a moderately high dust exposure to 300 gh/m3, with correspondingly higher losses in the ex-smokers. These findings show that among a group of men intentionally selected to include those who may have suffered greater than average effects of dust exposure, the relation between exposure and FEV1 is consistent with the view that in some men even moderately high exposure to dust causes severe impairment of lung function.

Coal Mining↗

Regional and global lung function in unilateral fibrothorax after conservative therapy and decortication.

Twenty-six patients suffering from unilateral fibrothorax were investigated before surgery or conservative therapy (decortication, n = 15; conservative treatment, n = 11) and followed up after 24.5 and 18.6 months respectively. Global lung function analysis was done by body plethysmography, ventilation and gas exchange analysis and blood-gas analysis under resting and exercise conditions. Regional lung function analysis included the semiquantitative description of fibrothorax by X-ray photos, and ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy. The functional result of unilateral fibrotic pleurisy is restriction which is also persistent after therapy, but to a lesser degree. This restriction is shown in an increased dead space ventilation as well as in ventilatory inhomogeneities, which causes a distortion of respiratory gas exchange. A decrease of compliance of the lung and chest wall is not measurable after therapy. Conservative treatment leads to a functional improvement to the same degree as decortication in cases of severe preoperative functional disturbances of the operated patients. After a course of 1.5 and 2 years respectively, the reference value has not been reached in either group. The regional pattern after therapy is characterized by a restriction and under-perfusion of the formerly affected site. The regional improvement of lung function is independent of the type of therapy, however, it shows a close correlation to the amount of pleurisy prior to therapy. Conservative treatment is the therapy of choice as long as no complications of insufficient recovery impede the course of the illness.

Adult↗

Associations between white blood cell count, lung function, respiratory illness and mortality: the Busselton Health Study.

An independent association between reduced levels of lung function and increased mortality from nonrespiratory causes has been observed in a number of studies. Since the total white blood cell count (WBC) has been related to both death from coronary heart disease and to levels of lung function, the relationship between these parameters was examined in subjects from the Busselton Health Surveys. Questionnaires regarding respiratory and cardiac illness and smoking habits were administered and total WBC, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity measured in 2,105 males and 2,186 females at their initial attendance at a Busselton Health Survey in 1969, 1972 or 1975. Mortality follow-up to 1995 was completed. Multiple linear regression showed that smoking, increasing age, reduced FEV1 (% predicted) and a history of bronchitis were associated with increased WBC. Reduction of FEV1 (% pred) by 20%, a history of dyspnoea and an increase in WBC of 1,300 cells x mL(-1) were predictive of increased mortality from all causes or coronary heart disease by approximately 20, 100 and 10% respectively, independent of smoking. Removing WBC from the regression model did not significantly change the relationship between FEV1 and mortality. The study shows that the white blood cell count, forced expiratory volume in one second and dyspnoea are independently related to mortality in both males and females and that the effect of forced expiratory volume in one second on mortality is not explained by the white blood cell count.

Adult↗

The role of domestic factors and day-care attendance on lung function of primary school children.

The results of studies examining the relationship of domestic factors to lung function are contradictory. We therefore examined the independent effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), the presence of a cat, type of heating and cooking used in the home and day-care attendance on lung function after controlling for socioeconomic status (SES). Nine hundred and eighty-nine children from 18 Montreal schools were studied between April 1990 and November 1992. Information on the child's health and exposure to domestic factors was collected by questionnaire. Spirometry was performed at school. The data were analysed by multiple linear regression with percent predicted FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC as dependent variables. In the overall sample (both sexes combined), cat in the home (regression coefficient, beta = -1.15, 95% confidence interval, CI: -2.26-(-)0.05) and electric baseboard units (beta = -1.26, 95% CI: -2.39-(-)0.13) were independently associated with a lower FEV1/FVC, while day-care attendance (beta = -2.05, 95% CI: -3.71-(-)0.40) significantly reduced FEV1. Household ETS was significantly associated with increasing level of FVC (beta = 2.86, 95% CI: +0.55 to +5.17). In boys but not girls, household ETS (beta = -2.13, 95% CI: -4.07-(-)0.19) and the presence of a cat (beta = -2.19, 95% CI: -3.94-(-)0.45) were associated with lower FEV1/FVC. By contrast, day-care attendance was associated with lower FEV1 (beta = -2.92, 95% CI: -5.27-(-)0.56) and FEV1/FVC (beta = -1.53, 95% CI: -2.73-(-)0.33) in girls only. In conclusion, the results provide evidence that domestic factors and day-care attendance primarily affected airway caliber and gender differences were apparent in the effects of these factors.

Adolescent↗

Gender difference in smoking effects on lung function and risk of hospitalization for COPD: results from a Danish longitudinal population study.

Recent findings suggest that females may be more susceptible than males to the deleterious influence of tobacco smoking in developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This paper studies the interaction of gender and smoking on development of COPD as assessed by lung function and hospital admission. A total of 13,897 subjects, born after 1920, from two population studies, 9,083 from the Copenhagen City Heart Study (CCHS) and 4,814 from the Glostrup Population Studies (GPS), were followed for 7-16 yrs. Data were linked with information on hospital admissions caused by COPD. Based on cross-sectional data, in the CCHS the estimated excess loss of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) per pack-year of smoking was 7.4 mL in female smokers who inhaled and 6.3 mL in male smokers who inhaled. In the GPS, the corresponding excess loss of FEV1 was 10.5 and 8.4 mL in females and males, respectively. Two hundred and eighteen subjects in the CCHS and 23 in the GPS were hospitalized during follow-up. Risk associated with pack-years was higher in females than in males (relative risks (RRs) for 1-20, 20-40 and >40 pack-years were 7.0 (3.5-14.1), 9.8 (4.9-19.6) and 23.3 (10.7-50.9) in females, and 3.2 (1.1-9.1), 5.7 (2.2-14.3) and 8.4 (3.3-21.6) in males) but the interaction term gender x pack-years did not reach significance (p=0.08). Results were similar in the GPS. After adjusting for smoking in more detail, females in both cohorts had an increased risk of hospitalization for COPD compared to males with a RR of 1.5 (1.2-2.1) in the CCHS and 3.6 (1.4-9.0) in the GPS. This was not likely to be caused by a generally increased rate of hospital admission for females. Results were similar when including deaths from COPD as endpoint. In two independent population samples, smoking had greater impact on the lung function of females than males, and after adjusting for smoking females subsequently suffered a higher risk of being admitted to hospital for COPD. Results suggest that adverse effects of smoking on lung function may be greater in females than in males.

Adult↗

Ozone-induced lung function decrements do not correlate with early airway inflammatory or antioxidant responses.

This study sought to clarify the early events occurring within the airways of healthy human subjects performing moderate intermittent exercise following ozone challenge. Thirteen healthy nonsmoking subjects were exposed in a single blinded, crossover control fashion to 0.2 parts per million (ppm) O3 and filtered air for 2 h, using a standard intermittent exercise and rest protocol. Lung function was assessed pre- and immediately post-exposure. Bronchoscopy was performed with endobronchial mucosal biopsies, bronchial wash (BW) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) 1.5 h after the end of the exposure period. Respiratory tract lining fluid (RTLF) redox status was assessed by measuring a range of antioxidants and oxidative damage markers in BW and BAL fluid samples. There was a significant upregulation after O3 exposure in the expression of vascular endothelial P-selectin (p<0.005) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (p<0.005). This was associated with a 2-fold increase in submucosal mast cells (p<0.005) in biopsy samples, without evidence of neutrophilic inflammation, and a decrease in BAL fluid macrophage numbers (1.6-fold, p<0.005), with an activation of the remaining macrophage subset (2.5-fold increase in % human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR+ cells, p<0.005). In addition, exposure led to a 4.5-fold and 3.1-fold increase of reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations, in BW and BAL fluid respectively (p<0.05), with alterations in urate and alpha-tocopherol plasma/RTLF partitioning ratios (p<0.05). Spirometry showed reductions in forced vital capacity (p<0.05) and forced expiratory volume in one second (p<0.01), with evidence of small airway narrowing using forced expiratory flow values (p<0.005). Evidence was found of O3-induced early adhesion molecule upregulation, increased submucosal mast cell numbers and alterations to the respiratory tract lining fluid redox status. No clear relationship was demonstrable between changes in these early markers and the lung function decrements observed. The results therefore indicate that the initial lung function decrements are not predictive of, or causally related to the O3-induced inflammatory events in normal human subjects.

Adult↗