Adult ; Aged ; Asthma ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Bronchiolitis Obliterans ; epidemiology ; etiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Smoking ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVEThe incidence of childhood asthma is growing. This study aimed to find the changes of clinical features of childhood asthma over a 20-year period.

METHODSThe medical data of 200 children with asthma between May 1986 and February 1988 (group 1) and of another 200 asthmatic children between June 2005 and May 2006 (group 2) were studied retrospectively.

RESULTSSixty-seven patients (33.5%) in group 1 and 128 patients (64.0%) in group 2 had concomitant allergic rhinitis (P < 0.01). The incidence of exercise-induced asthma, drug allergy and irritating smell allergy was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (P < 0.05). Twenty-nine patients (14.5%) in group 1 and 112 patients (56.0%) in group 2 re-visited to the clinic (P < 0.01). The patients in group 1 received nonspecific immune and desensitizing therapy but those in group 2 received inhaled glucocorticoid therapy during the remission stage. After 3 months treatment, asthma was in under control in 11 patients (37.9%, 11/29) in group 1 and in 93 patients in group 2 (83.0%, 93/112) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of concomitant anaphylaxis increased in asthmatic children over a 20-year period. The compliance of re-examination has increased in asthmatic children in recent years and this may be associated with a better efficacy of inhaled glucocorticosteroid therapy.

Asthma ; epidemiology ; etiology ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male

Asthma ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cluster Analysis ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Pulmonary Eosinophilia ; etiology ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Th2 Cells ; immunology

Adult ; Animals ; Asthma ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Pyroglyphidae ; Skin Tests

OBJECTIVETo review the current evidence that links smoking to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to discuss some potential mechanisms proposed for these links.

DATA SOURCESWe searched PubMed and Medline to identify studies investigating the interaction between smoking and OSA.

STUDY SELECTIONArticles regarding the relationship between smoking and OSA were selected. Studies considered smoking as a confounding factor were excluded.

RESULTSThe association of smoking and OSA has been confirmed in several studies. The effects of smoking on the pathophysiology of OSA may include smoking-induced upper airway inflammation, stimulant effects of nicotine on upper airway muscles, and a "rebound effect" due to nightly short-term nicotine withdrawal, or all of the above. In addition, the coexistence of OSA and smoking may have more widespread implications for cardiovascular dysfunction in patients with OSA. Finally, OSA might be responsible for the addiction to nicotine.

CONCLUSIONSSmoking may act as a risk factor for OSA and join with OSA in a common pathway to increase the risk of systematic injury. OSA, in turn, may be a predisposing factor for smoking. Thus, smoking cessation is recommended when considering treatment for OSA, and treating OSA may be a necessary precondition for successful smoking cessation.

Asthma ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Bronchi ; drug effects ; Humans ; Nicotine ; pharmacology ; Risk Factors ; Sleep ; physiology ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Tobacco Use Disorder ; epidemiology ; etiology

Occupational asthma (OA) is the leading occupational respiratory disease. Cases compensated as OA by the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (COMWEL) (218 cases), cases reported by a surveillance system (286 cases), case reports by related scientific journals and cases confirmed by the Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute (OSHRI) over 15 yr from 1992 to 2006 were analyzed. Annual mean incidence rate was 1.6 by compensation and 3.5 by surveillance system, respectively. The trend appeared to increase according to the surveillance system. Incidence was very low compared with other countries. The most frequently reported causative agent was isocyanate followed by reactive dye in dyeing factories. Other chemicals, metals and dust were also found as causative agents. OA was underreported according to compensation and surveillance system data. In conclusion, a more effective surveillance system is needed to evaluate OA causes and distribution, and to effectively prevent newly developing OA.
Air Pollutants, Occupational ; Asthma/*epidemiology/*etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Occupational Diseases/*epidemiology/etiology ; Occupational Exposure ; Population Surveillance ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Workers' Compensation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence, current treatment, and clinical characteristics of asthma, as well as the risk factors for this disease, among children aged 0-14 years in 2010 in urban Zhongshan, China.

METHODSA total of 10 336 children aged 0-14 years were selected from urban Zhongshan by cluster random sampling. The Third National Childhood Asthma Epidemiological Questionnaire 2010 was used to analyze the prevalence, current treatment, and clinical characteristics of childhood asthma, as well as the risk factors for this disease.

RESULTSAsthma was diagnosed in 179 cases (1.73%). The prevalence of asthma in male children was significantly higher than that in female children (2.25% vs 1.16%; P<0.01). Of the 179 patients, severe attacks were common in 104 cases (58.1%), 110 cases (61.5%) had slow onset, 102 cases (57.0%) had gradually relieved conditions, 61 cases (34.1%) suffered from asthma during seasonal transition, and 150 cases (83.8%) developed asthma due to respiratory tract infection. Among all asthmatic children, 71.5% had been treated with inhaled corticosteroids, and 71.5% had been treated with bronchodilator. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a history of penicillin allergy, a family history of allergy, food allergy, eczema, allergic rhinitis, cesarean delivery, family mould, and perinatal passive smoking were independent risk factors for childhood asthma.

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of childhood asthma in urban Zhongshan is on a high level, and is associated with gender. The treatment of asthma has been standardized, but still needs further improvement. The onset of asthma attack is influenced by various factors.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the cumulative prevalence rate, distribution characteristics, epidemic seasons, predisposing factors and current treatment situation of childhood asthma in Hefei City, China.

METHODSIn the investigation, stratified cluster random sampling as well as centralized access and separate home visits were applied, and primary screening forms were filled out. Further confirmation was sought in the primary positive cases, according to the diagnostic criteria for asthma. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the cumulative prevalence rate, current treatment situation and predisposing factors for childhood asthma as well as the distribution characteristics of asthma in children of different ages and sexes.

RESULTSThe cumulative prevalence rate of childhood asthma was 5.92%, and there was no significant difference between males and females (6.33% vs 5.42%; P>0.05). The cumulative prevalence rate was highest (8.25%) in children aged 3-6 years. Of the children with acute asthma attack, 42.0% suffered attacks during periods of seasonal transition, and 34.4% suffered attacks at midnight. Among the 552 children with a confirmed diagnosis of asthma, 533 (96.6%) developed asthma due to respiratory tract infection and 312 (56.5%) due to weather change. Most asthmatic children (513/552, 92.9%) received treatment with antibiotics, and 492 asthmatic children (89.1%) were treated with systemic hormones.

CONCLUSIONSThe cumulative prevalence rate of childhood asthma is 5.92% in Hefei, and the peak age of onset is 3-6 years. Acute asthma attack occurs mostly during periods of seasonal transition and at midnight. Respiratory tract infection and weather change are the main predisposing factors for childhood asthma. Antibiotics and systemic hormones are still widely used in the treatment of asthma.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male

OBJECTIVETo understand childhood asthma from age 0 to 14 in Kaifeng city and the relevant risk factors, effects of therapy and costs.

METHODSEleven thousand children aged 0 to 14 were chosen in Gulou area, Shunhe area using cluster sampling.

RESULTS(1) The overall prevalence of childhood asthma was 1.16% sex ratio 1.72:1. Significant difference was found among every age group (P < 0.001), with the highest from 0 to 3, the prevalence rate in industrial area was significantly higher than that of residential area, with a ratio of 2.13:1 (P < 0.001). (2) Major relevant factors were found to be: history of hypersensitivity, upper respiratory infection and family history; while nationalities, history of contact with pets were not found to be related to childhood asthma (P > 0.05). (3) The expenditure was significantly different between non-specific therapy and specified therapy (P < 0.001). Among those children with asthma, 89.8% did not get specified treatment and the average expenditure was 2,375.2 Yuan per year, which was 10.2% of accepted specified therapy, namely under GINA program, with average expenditure 653.68 Yuan every year.

CONCLUSIONThe result of this study provided scientific basis for child asthma prevention and cure in this area.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; economics ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of childhood asthma, and to find the distribution characteristics, precipitating factors, diagnosis and treatment status, and to provide scientific data for improving the prevention and management of asthma in children in Kunming City, China.

METHODSChildren were selected by random cluster sampling. A standardized preliminary questionnaire was used for screening out possible patients in the survey. Diagnosis of asthma was confirmed by diagnostic criteria in suspected asthmatic children. Asthmatic children were further asked for past diagnosis and treatment with the questionnaire of asthma in children.

RESULTSThe total asthma incidence rate was 1.40%. The prevalence of asthma in male and female children was 1.89% and 0.88% respectively (P<0.05). Children aged 0-5 years old had a higher prevalence of asthma (1.69%) than that of school-age children (6-14 years old, 1.21%). In all asthmatic children, 51.3% were previously diagnosed with classical asthma or cough variant asthma, 26.0% were suffered attacks from December to February, and 54.0% were suffered attacks at midnight or dawn. Respiratory tract infection (87.3%) was the most common triggers of asthma exacerbation. Antibiotics were used in 80.0%, bronchodilators in 66.0%, inhaled corticosteroid in 64.0%. A peak flow meter for monitoring lung function was used in 17% of asthmatic children over 5 years old.

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of asthma is associated with age and gender in children aged 0-14 years old in Kunming City. Acute asthma attack occurs mostly in winter and at midnight or dawn. Respiratory tract infection is the most common trigger of asthma exacerbation. Nearly a half of patients with asthma had not been diagnosed with asthma in the early stage. Most asthmatic children use antibiotics and only two-thirds use bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroid in the treatment. The treatment and management of asthma in children awaits improvement as well.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Prevalence ; Seasons