The relation between paracetamol use and asthma: a GA2LEN European case-control study.

Studies from the UK and USA suggest that frequent use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) may increase the risk of asthma, but data across Europe are lacking. As part of a multicentric case-control study organised by the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN), it was examined whether or not frequent paracetamol use is associated with adult asthma across Europe. The network compared 521 cases with a diagnosis of asthma and reporting of asthma symptoms within the last 12 months with 507 controls with no diagnosis of asthma and no asthmatic symptoms within the last 12 months across 12 European centres. All cases and controls were selected from the same population, defined by age (20-45 yrs) and place of residence. In a random effects meta-analysis, weekly use of paracetamol, compared with less frequent use, was strongly positively associated with asthma after controlling for confounders. There was no evidence for heterogeneity across centres. No association was seen between use of other analgesics and asthma. These data add to the increasing and consistent epidemiological evidence implicating frequent paracetamol use in asthma in diverse populations.

A case-control study of the relation between plasma selenium and asthma in European populations: a GAL2EN project.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that selenium levels are relatively low in Europe and may be falling. Low levels of selenium or low activity of some of the enzymes dependent on selenium have been associated with asthma. METHODS: The GA(2)LEN network has organized a multicentre case-control study in Europe to assess the relation of plasma selenium to asthma. The network compared 569 cases in 14 European centres with a diagnosis of asthma and reporting asthma symptoms in the last 12 months with 576 controls from the same centres with no diagnosis of asthma and no asthmatic symptoms in the last 12 months. RESULTS: All cases and controls were selected from the same population defined by age and place of residence. Mean plasma selenium concentrations among the controls ranged from 116.3 microg/l in Palermo to 67.7 microg/l in Vienna and 56.1 microg/l among the children in Oslo. Random effects meta-analysis of the results from the centres showed no overall association between asthma and plasma selenium [odds ratio (OR)/10 microg/l increase in plasma selenium: 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.89-1.21] though there was a significantly protective effect in Lodz (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.29-0.78) and a marginally significant adverse effect in Amsterdam (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 0.98-2.90) and Ghent (OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.03-1.77). CONCLUSION: This study does not support a role for selenium in protection against asthma, but effect modification and confounding cannot be ruled out.

Prevalence of chronic airflow limitation in Kashmir, North India: results from the BOLD study.

BACKGROUND: Data on spirometrically defined chronic airflow limitation (CAL) are scarce in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of spirometrically defined CAL in Kashmir, North India. METHODS: Using Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease survey methods, we administered questionnaires to randomly selected adults aged ⩾40 years. Post-bronchodilator spirometry was performed to estimate the prevalence of CAL and its relation to potential risk factors. RESULTS: Of 1100 participants initially recruited, 953 (86.9%) responded and 757 completed acceptable spirometry and questionnaires. The prevalence of a forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio less than the lower limit of normal was 17.3% (4.5) in males and 14.8% (2.1) in females. Risk factors for CAL included higher age, cooking with wood and lower educational status. The prevalence of current smoking was 61% in males and 22% in females; most smoked hookahs. CAL was found equally in non-smoking males and females, and was independently associated with the use of the hookah, family history of respiratory disease and poor education. A self-reported doctor's diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was reported in 8.4/1000 (0.9% of females and 0.8% of males). CONCLUSION: Spirometrically confirmed CAL is highly prevalent in Indian Kashmir, and seems to be related to the high prevalence of smoking, predominantly in the form of hookah smoking.

Gaps in using bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids and influenza vaccine among 23 high- and low-income sites.

BACKGROUND: Increasing access to essential respiratory medicines and influenza vaccination has been a priority for over three decades. Their use remains low in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where little is known about factors influencing use, or about the use of influenza vaccination for preventing respiratory exacerbations. METHODS: We estimated rates of regular use of bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids and influenza vaccine, and predictors for use among 19 000 adults in 23 high-income countries (HICs) and LMIC sites. RESULTS: Bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids and influenza vaccine were used significantly more in HICs than in LMICs, after adjusting for similar clinical needs. Although they are used more commonly by people with symptomatic or severe respiratory disease, the gap between HICs and LMICs is not explained by the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or doctor-diagnosed asthma. Site-specific factors are likely to influence use differently. The gross national income per capita for the country is a strong predictor for use of these treatments, suggesting that economics influence under-treatment. CONCLUSION: We still need a better understanding of determinants for the low use of essential respiratory medicines and influenza vaccine in low-income settings. Identifying and addressing these more systematically could improve the access and use of effective treatments.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prevalence in Lisbon, Portugal: the burden of obstructive lung disease study.

BACKGROUND: There is a great heterogeneity in the prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) demonstrates a great heterogeneity across the world. The Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) initiative was started to measure the prevalence of COPD in a standardized way. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of COPD in Portuguese adults aged 40 years or older of a target population of 2,700 000 in the Lisbon region, in accordance with BOLD protocol. METHODS: A stratified, multi-stage random sampling procedure was used which included 12 districts. The survey included a questionnaire with information on risk factors for COPD and reported respiratory disease and a post-bronchodilator spirometry performed at survey centres. RESULTS: For the 710 participants with questionnaires and acceptable spirometry, the overall weighted prevalence of GOLD stage I+ COPD was 14.2% (95% C.I. 11.1, 18.1), and stage II+ was 7.3% (95% C.I. 4.7, 11.3). Unweighted prevalence was 20.2% (95% C.I.17.4, 23.3) for stage I+ and 9.5% (95% C.I. 7.6, 11.9) for stage II+. Prevalence of COPD in GOLD stage II+ increased with age and was higher in men. The prevalence of GOLD stage I+ COPD was 9.2% (95% C.I. 5.9, 14.0) in never smokers versus 27.4% (95% C.I. 18.5, 38.5) in those who had smoked >20 pack-years. The agreement between previous doctor diagnosis and spirometric diagnosis was low, with 86.8% of underdiagnosed individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The 14.2% of COPD estimated prevalence indicates that COPD is a common disease in the Lisbon region. In addition, a large proportion of underdiagnosed disease was detected. The high prevalence of COPD with a high level of underdiagnosis, points to the need of raising awareness of COPD among health professionals, and requires more use of spirometry in the primary care setting.