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Prevalence of respiratory symptoms related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma among middle aged and older adults
Citation
Abramson, M and Matheson, M and Wharton, C and Sim, M and Walters, EH, Prevalence of respiratory symptoms related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma among middle aged and older adults, Respirology, 7 pp. 325-331. ISSN 1323-7799 (2002) [Refereed Article]
DOI: doi:10.1046/j.1440-1843.2002.00408.x
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in middle aged and older adults. METHODOLOGY: A random sample of 7,005 adults aged between 45 and 69 years was drawn from electoral rolls for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. A postal survey was conducted using the European Community Respiratory Health Survey respiratory screening questionnaire with additional questions on chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Participants were asked to return the survey by reply mail. Non-responders were sent a reminder postcard after 2 weeks, a replacement questionnaire after 4 weeks and then contacted by telephone. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were returned by 4,906 (70.0%) participants. The commonest symptoms were exertional dyspnoea (27.2%) and wheezing (20.5%). Chronic bronchitis was reported by 12.0% and emphysema by 1.2%. Males were significantly more likely to report cough and sputum, while females were more likely to report asthma. The prevalence of exertional dyspnoea, cough and sputum, emphysema and heart disease increased with age. Chronic bronchitis, emphysema and most respiratory symptoms were associated with smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported chronic bronchitis or emphysema affect one in eight middle aged and older adults. Differences between men and women are partly explained by differences in smoking. These findings require confirmation with lung function tests.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
Research Group: | Cardiovascular medicine and haematology |
Research Field: | Respiratory diseases |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Clinical health |
Objective Field: | Clinical health not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Walters, EH (Professor Haydn Walters) |
ID Code: | 24379 |
Year Published: | 2002 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 40 |
Deposited By: | Medicine |
Deposited On: | 2002-08-01 |
Last Modified: | 2003-03-19 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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