PURPOSE: Many epidemiological studies have investigated environmental risk factors for the development of acoustic neuroma. However, these results are controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis of case-control studies to identify any potential relationship between history of noise exposure, smoking, allergic diseases, and risk of acoustic neuroma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed to identify relevant articles. Two researchers evaluated the eligibility and extracted the data independently. RESULTS: Eleven case-control studies were included in our meta-analysis. Acoustic neuroma was found to be associated with leisure noise exposure [odds ratio (OR)=1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.68], but not with occupational noise exposure and ever noise exposure (OR=1.20, 95% CI: 0.84-1.72 and OR=1.15, 95% CI: 0.80-1.65). The OR of acoustic neuroma for ever (versus never) smoking was 0.53 (95% CI: 0.30-0.94), while the subgroup analysis indicated ORs of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.81-1.10) and 0.49 (95% CI: 0.41-0.59) for ex-smoker and current smoker respectively. The ORs for asthma, eczema, and seasonal rhinitis were 0.98 (95% CI: 0.80-1.18), 0.91 (95% CI: 0.76-1.09), and 1.52 (95% CI: 0.90-2.54), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis is suggestive of an elevated risk of acoustic neuroma among individuals who were ever exposed to leisure noise, but not to occupational noise. Our study also indicated a lower acoustic neuroma risk among ever and current cigarette smokers than never smokers, while there was no significant relationship for ex-smokers. No significant associations were found between acoustic neuroma and history of any allergic diseases, such as asthma, eczema, and seasonal rhinitis.
Adult ; Asthma/complications ; Environmental Exposure/*adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; *Leisure Activities ; Neuroma, Acoustic/epidemiology/*etiology ; Noise/*adverse effects ; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects ; Risk Factors ; Smoking/adverse effects

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between asthma and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in Korea. A retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment database 2010-2011. The subjects included 935,106 (2010) and 952,295 (2011), of whom 398 (2010) and 428 (2011) patients with IPD were identified. There was significant difference in the prevalence of IPD in patients with and without asthma (0.07% vs. 0.02% in 2010 and 0.08% vs. 0.01% in 2011; P<0.001). After adjusting for age and gender, patients with asthma showed over a three-fold increased risk of IPD compared with patients without asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.02-5.03 in 2010 / aOR, 5.44; 95% CI, 4.10-7.22 in 2011; P<0.001). These findings were also significant in children (aOR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.25-3.45 in 2010; P=0.005 / aOR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.74-6.11 in 2011; P<0.001). Although diabetes mellitus was also significantly associated with IPD, relatively low ORs compared with those of asthma were noted (aOR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.35-2.54 in 2010 / aOR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.78-3.24 in 2011; P<0.001). Both children and adults with asthma are at increased risk of developing IPD.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asthma/complications/*epidemiology ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology ; Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine/immunology ; Humans ; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes/complications/*epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Pneumococcal Infections/complications/*epidemiology ; Pneumococcal Vaccines/immunology ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus pneumoniae/pathogenicity ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between associating factors of moderate to severe asthma with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty-seven patients who visited the pulmonary and sleep clinic in Severance Hospital presenting with symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing were evaluated. All subjects were screened with ApneaLink. Thirty-two subjects with a high likelihood of having OSA were assessed with full polysomnography (PSG). RESULTS: The mean age was 58.8+/-12.0 years and 58.7% of subjects were male. The mean ApneaLink apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 12.7+/-13.0/hr. The mean ApneaLink AHI for the 32 selected high risk patients of OSA was 22.3+/-13.2/hr, which was lower than the sleep laboratory-based PSG AHI of 39.1+/-20.5/hr. When OSA was defined at an ApneaLink AHI > or =5/hr, the positive correlating factors for OSA were age, male gender, and moderate to severe asthma. CONCLUSION: Moderate to severe asthma showed strong correlation with OSA when defined at an ApneaLink AHI > or =5/hr.
Aged ; Asthma/complications/epidemiology/*etiology ; Comorbidity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polysomnography/instrumentation ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes/epidemiology/etiology ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/complications/epidemiology/*physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence, epidemiological characteristics, and risk factors for childhood asthma in Yichang City, China and to collect evidence for the early diagnosis and preventive treatment of asthma.

METHODSPreliminary screening questionnaires were distributed to more than 90% of children in 5 kindergartens, 10 primary and secondary schools, and 5 communities in Yichang City to detect children with suspected asthma. These surveyed children were selected by cluster random sampling. A further questionnaire survey was conducted for suspected cases. Meanwhile, a similar number of sex- and age-matched non-asthmatic children were selected for the case-control study. Information from returned questionnaires was entered into a database for statistical analysis.

RESULTSA total of 11 000 questionnaires were distributed, and 10 456 (95.1%) questionnaires were returned. The prevalence rate of asthma among children in Yichang was 3.47%, significantly higher in boys than in girls (P<0.05). A total of 107 out of 363 children with asthma had a history of drug allergy, and 152 cases had a family history of allergy. The majority of asthmatic children had irregular onset-prone seasons and hours. Respiratory tract infections were the most common trigger of asthma attacks, accounting for 93.1% of all onsets; family history of allergy, history of early use of antibiotics, history of housing renovation, and history of passive smoking were the major risk factors for asthma.

CONCLUSIONSPrevention of respiratory tract infections may reduce the frequency of asthma attacks; reducing the use of antibiotics during early childhood, decreasing the frequency of housing renovation, and advocating for smoking cessation among parents have preventive effects on asthma.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; epidemiology ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Prevalence ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; complications ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo understand allergic diseases related factors in Changzheng Town, Putuo District infants and young children.

METHODPregnant women registered in Putuo District, Changzheng Town Community Health Service Center Child Health Clinic within the period from January to December, 2008 were enrolled into this survey, a questionnaire survey. The infants were followed up from birth to 2 years of age. The mother and child survey was conducted for 746 pairs, and 684 pairs had complete data. SAS V9.1 statistical software was used for data processing and statistical analysis.

RESULTThe survey showed that prevalence of eczema, allergic rash, and wheezing was 27.9%, 18.9%, and 3.9%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that allergy in either parent and addition of foods other than milk in infants before 4 months of age were risk factors for eczema; allergy in either parent was also risk factors for allergic rash. Exclusive breastfeeding from birth to 6 months of age was a protective factor for wheezing in infants. Other factors such as parental history of asthma, vitamin supplements to the mothers during pregnancy, mothers' special diet habits, calcium level of infants, etc. had no significant correlation with allergic disorders in infants.

CONCLUSIONThe risk factors for allergic disorders in infants included allergy in either parent and dietary factors of the infants themselves (prematurely adding other foods). Breastfeeding (for 0 - 6 months of age) was a protective factor for infants' wheezing.

Adult ; Asthma ; epidemiology ; etiology ; genetics ; Breast Feeding ; Cohort Studies ; Eczema ; epidemiology ; etiology ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; complications ; epidemiology ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Parents ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the status of asthma control in the city and severity of asthma in children and to identify related factors.

METHODThis study was conducted in one children's hospital or tertiary hospital in each of the 29 provinces except Xinjiang and Xizang Autonomous Regions. Totally, 2960 parents with asthmatic children ages 0 to 14 years, and all had been diagnosed with asthma at least 3 months ago and the course was more than 12 months, who visited those hospitals were selected for the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questionnaire survey, and separated into the controlled asthma group and uncontrolled asthma group according to children's asthma conditions in the past 12 months. Multivariate analysis was carried out based on the answers to 28 tested factors; 2485 of 2960 questionnaires from 29 provinces were valid.

RESULTOf the 2485 valid questionnaires, 66.0% asthmatic children had asthma attacks in the past 12 months, 26.8% asthmatic children had visited the emergency department, 16.2% asthmatic children had been hospitalized. The total cost was significantly higher in the uncontrolled group than in contro group (χ² = 23.14, P < 0.01). Parents' education level, parents' KAP scores, regular visits for asthma control, knowledge of "3 or more times recurrent wheezing suggesting asthma", knowledge of "cough lasting for more than 4 weeks suggesting asthma", knowledge of "cough improved with bronchodilators suggesting asthma", knowledge of "awareness of using short-acting β₂ agonist for acute attack", avoiding contact with plush toys, adhere to use nasal steroid, inhaled corticosteroids/composite preparation, age of children and course of asthma in children are protective factors that affect asthma control and severity of asthma in children. Food allergies, eczema and family history of asthma are risk factors.

CONCLUSIONAsthma in many children was poorly controlled. Factors that affect asthma control and severity include parents' knowledge about asthma, exposure to adverse environment, the compliance with medication and regular visits for asthma control. Awareness and improvement the related factors about asthma control and severity can help leading asthma to a well-controlled status and reducing the severity of asthma.

Age Factors ; Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Parents ; psychology ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; complications ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; epidemiology ; etiology ; therapy ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Obesity ; complications ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Risk Factors

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, as well as the risk factors of wheezing among young adults in the Korean military. Young military conscripts in five areas completed a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. For subjects with current wheeze in one sample area, baseline spirometry and bronchodilator response were measured. For subjects without a significant response to bronchodilator (improvement in FEV1 of more than 200 mL and 12%), methacholine challenge tests (MCT) were also performed. Of 3,359 subjects that completed the questionnaire, 354 (10.5%) had current wheeze, 471 (14.0%) had current allergic rhinitis, and 326 (9.7%) had current eczema. Current wheeze was associated with family history of allergic disease, overweight, current smoking, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Of 36 subjects with current wheeze who underwent PFT with or without MCT in the Anyang area, 24 (66.7%) were confirmed to have current asthma. In conclusion, the prevalence of allergic disease in young adults of Korean military is not low, and the risk factors of wheezing include family history of allergic disease, overweight, current smoking, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis.
Adult ; Asthma/*complications/epidemiology/*immunology ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/*epidemiology/*immunology ; *Military Personnel ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Sounds/*etiology ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEChronic cough in children is a common pediatric symptom with complex causes and its diagnosis is difficult; chronic cough affects the life of children in both physical and mental health and also learning. Therefore this study aimed to investigate the causes of chronic cough in children in Fuzhou area of Fujian province.

METHODData were collected from 364 children with chronic cough who visited the asthma specialist clinic of Children's Hospital of Fuzhou, Fujian Province from March 2009 to April 2010. The diagnosis was made according to Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Pediatrics published in 2008. Among the patients, 241 were boys and 123 girls. The patients were divided into 3 age groups: group 1, 1 to 3 years old (infants and young children group, n = 75); group 2, 4 to 6 years old (pre-school group, n = 215); and group 3, over 7 years (school-age group, n = 74), the mean age was (4.8 ± 1.1) years (3 months to 14 years), course of the illness was (4.5 ± 1.8) months (4 weeks to 38 months). Mycoplasma pneumoniae was detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTThe causes of chronic cough were as follows: 171 cases (46.98%) had cough variant asthma; 104 cases (28.57%) had upper airway cough syndrome; 58 cases (15.93%) had respiratory infections; 17 cases (4.67%) had gastroesophageal reflux; 3 cases (0.82%) had foreign bodies. Totally 9 cases (2.47%) had chronic cough associated with 3 causes; 56 cases (15.38%) had 2 causes and 299 cases (82.14%) had single cause. The main causes of cough in the group of pre-school children were cough variant asthma and upper airway cough syndrome. The proportion of the upper airway cough syndrome in school-age children group was the highest among the 3 age groups, which is flowed by cough variant asthma.

CONCLUSIONThe causes of chronic cough in children were cough variant asthma, upper airway cough syndrome, respiratory infections, cough after infection, gastroesophageal reflux and foreign bodies in Fuzhou area of Fujian province. Children with chronic cough in different age groups had different etiology, in about 18% of the children the etiology of chronic cough was associated with 3 or 2 causes, indicating that the causes of chronic cough in children are multifactorial.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; complications ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Chronic Disease ; Cough ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infection ; complications ; Male

OBJECTIVES: Although cigarette smoking is known to be related to the exacerbation of asthma symptoms, several studies have indicated that the prevalence of cigarette smoking among asthmatic adolescents is similar to or even higher than that among non-asthmatic adolescents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between asthma and cigarette use behaviors and whether or not the presence of suicidal ideation modifies this relationship among Korean adolescents. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2008 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, which included a nationally representative sample of middle and high school students. Multiple logistic regression models were used to calculate odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals of cigarette use behaviors among current asthmatics, former asthmatics, and non-asthmatics, after adjusting for gender, grade, school records, socioeconomic status, current alcohol use, and suicidal ideation. RESULTS: Of 75 238 study participants, 3.5% were current asthmatics and 4.5% were former asthmatics. Compared with non-asthmatics, asthmatics were more likely to report current cigarette use, frequent and heavy cigarette use, and cigarette use before 13 years of age. There were statistically significant interactions between asthma and suicidal ideation in cigarette use behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that asthmatic adolescents are more likely than non-asthmatic adolescents to engage in cigarette use behaviors and the presence of suicidal ideation is an effect modifier of the relationship between asthma and cigarette use behaviors. Particular attention should be paid to the awareness of health risks of cigarette smoking and mental health problems among asthmatic adolescents.
Adolescent ; Adolescent Behavior ; Age Factors ; Asthma/*complications/epidemiology/*psychology ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Male ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk-Taking ; Smoking/epidemiology/*psychology ; Socioeconomic Factors ; *Suicidal Ideation ; Suicide, Attempted/psychology/statistics & numerical data