Increase in prevalence and severity of asthma in young adults in Copenhagen
Ejvind Frausing Hansena, Yael Rappeporta, Jørgen Vestboa b, Peter Langea b
a Department
of Respiratory Medicine 223, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre,
Denmark, b Copenhagen City Heart Study,
Epidemiological Research Unit, Bispebjerg University Hospital,
Copenhagen NV, Denmark
Correspondence to: Dr P Lange, Department of Respiratory Medicine 223, Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegaard alle 30, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Denmark email: Peter.Lange{at}hh.hosp.dk
Received 28 February 2000; Returned to authors 18 April 2000; Revised version received 21 June 2000; Accepted for publication 3 July 2000
BACKGROUND
It is the
general impression that the prevalence of asthma has increased during
recent decades. A study was undertaken to investigate asthma
prevalence, respiratory symptoms, and lung function in young adults in
the City of Copenhagen 15 years apart.
METHODSMen and women
aged 20-35 years were sampled from the general population living in a
defined area of central Copenhagen. The first examination took place in
1976-8 and comprised 1034 subjects (response rate 67.2%). A new
sample comprising 1104 subjects (response rate 62.6%) from exactly the
same area was examined 15 years later in 1991-4. All participants
answered a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and diseases and
performed spirometric tests with measurement of forced expiratory
volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC).
RESULTSThe prevalence
of self-reported asthma increased from 1.5% in the first survey to
4.8% in the second survey (p<0.001). Asthmatic subjects had, on
average, poorer lung function than non-asthmatic subjects in terms of
FEV1 and this difference was more pronounced in the second
survey than in the first (10.0% of predicted versus 2.4% of
predicted). Smoking decreased significantly from 62% in 1976-8 to
45% in 1991-4 (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONSThe
prevalence of self-reported asthma has increased significantly among
young adults in Copenhagen over a 15 year period. The severity of
asthma, as judged by the level of FEV1, has also increased.
These findings cannot be explained by changes in smoking habits.
Keywords: asthma prevalence; asthma severity; smoking; epidemiology
© 2000 by Thorax
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