[Prevalence of asthma among adults in France, data from the Constances cohort study]. / Prévalence de l'asthme chez l'adulte en France, données de la cohorte Constances.

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of our study were to estimate the prevalence of asthma in adults in France and to study the effects of gender on the associations of asthma with the corpulence and socio-economic characteristics of individuals. METHODS: We estimated the prevalence of current asthma (asthma attack in the past 12 months or current treatment for asthma) from data collected at inclusion in the Constances cohort study in 2013-2014. Analyses were performed separately in men and women, using robust Poisson regression for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Using data from 34,100 participants in the cohort (men: 47.7 %; mean age: 44.6 years), the prevalence of current asthma was estimated to be 5.8 % (5.1 % in men, 6.4 % in women). The risk of asthma was increased in women with high body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference. In men, only a high waist circumference was associated with an increased risk of asthma. An association with low socioeconomic status was observed only among women. CONCLUSION: The associations of asthma with corpulence and socioeconomic status differed between men and women. Additional analyses should provide a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for these differences.

[Asthma and socioeconomic characteristics in France in 2012]. / Asthme et caractéristiques socioprofessionnelles en France en 2012.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of adult asthma is around 6-7% in France. This disease is multifactorial and is related in particular to occupational factors. Using data from The French Health, Health Care and Insurance Survey (ESPS), this study aimed to describe asthma prevalence in France according to socio-economic status in 2012. METHODS: This analysis included the population aged 15 years and over. Current asthma, defined by a declaration of having asthma in the last 12 months, was analyzed according to socio-economic variables available in the ESPS survey. RESULTS: Among the 23,047 subjects interviewed, 12,565 were included in the analysis. Current asthma frequency was 7.4%. Higher risk of asthma was observed in unemployed, non-qualified persons, with a lower income, or having free healthcare insurance. Regarding occupations, in men, trade and commerce employees, personal services employees and administrative employees were associated with a higher level of current asthma prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that subjects with lower socio-economic status are more likely to suffer from asthma. New epidemiological tools in France, including cohorts (Constances, COSET) will be helpful to study more precisely the associations between asthma and occupational factors.

Prognostic factors after hospitalization for COPD exacerbation.

INTRODUCTION: Hospitalizations for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are increasing in France. AECOPD are associated with impaired health status and increased health care costs. METHODS: Using data from the French national health insurance information system, we studied mortality, readmissions and lung function testing after discharge among adults hospitalized for AECOPD in 2013. RESULTS: The cumulative probabilities of death and readmission for EACOPD were 21% and 31% respectively. The survival was better among women, even after taking into account the other risk factors (age, previous hospitalization for AECOPD, comorbidities, exacerbation severity). In multivariate analysis, the risk of readmission was increased among men and people living in socially disadvantaged areas. A lung function testing was performed in 34% within 3 months after discharge. Female gender, advanced age, comorbidities and living in a disadvantaged area were associated with a lower frequency of lung function testing. CONCLUSIONS: Women had a better prognosis than men after AECOPD hospitalization. The frequency of lung function testing after discharge remained low, particularly among women and people living in disadvantaged areas.

[Increase in asthma prevalence among young children in France]. / Augmentation de la prévalence de l'asthme chez le jeune enfant en France.

INTRODUCTION: Few data on change over time of asthma prevalence in French children are available. METHODS: Data from the 2012-2013 national health survey of schoolchildren conducted in a random sample of almost 20,000 children in the last year of nursery school were compared to those which had been collected in 2005-2006 in the same grade level using the same methodology. RESULTS: In the 2012-2013 survey, children had a lifetime prevalence of asthma of 11.0% with 11.8% reporting wheezing in the preceding year. Asthma was more frequent and more often uncontrolled in children from families with low socioeconomic status. Compared to the survey conducted in the same grade level in 2005-2006, the prevalence ratios adjusted for children's gender and obesity, family structure, parental unemployment and region were 1.13 [1.05-1.21] for lifetime asthma and 1.12 [1.05-1.17] for past-year wheezing. CONCLUSION: In France, the prevalence of asthma in young children increased between 2005 and 2012. The socioeconomic status of children's parents affects both asthma prevalence and control.

[Long-term oxygen therapy in France, 2006-2011]. / Oxygénothérapie de longue durée en France, 2006-2011.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to describe the main characteristics of people treated with long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and the trends between 2006 and 2011 for prevalence and incidence. METHODS: Data were provided from a sample comprising 1/97 of the permanent beneficiaries of the French health insurance. The sample contains anonymous socio-demographic characteristics and data on health care reimbursements. The analyses were carried out among adults aged 20 years and above who had received benefits on account of LTOT. RESULTS: In 2011, 2.6% of adults were treated with LTOT, corresponding to around 135,000 people. The crude incidence rate was 0.9‰. The prescription of LTOT included LTOT alone (70%), LTOT associated with assisted ventilation (23%) and LTOT associated with continuous positive airway pressure (7%). About 45% of the patients were supported financially in the long-term illness program of the French Social Security because of severe chronic respiratory failure. Between 2006 and 2011, the age-adjusted prevalence rates increased by 2.9% per year in men and by 6.7% per year in women. The age-adjusted incidence rates remained stable in men (+1.6% per year, P=0.45) but increased in women (+4.7% per year, P=0.04). The median survival was 27 months. CONCLUSION: This analysis of the data demonstrates an increasing burden associated with LTOT in France from 2006 to 2011.

[Admissions for pediatric asthma in France]. / Les hospitalisations pour asthme chez l'enfant en France, 2002-2010.

INTRODUCTION: Most hospital admissions for asthma exacerbation are avoidable with adequate disease management. The objective of this study was to describe admissions for asthma in children in France using data from the French nationwide hospital database. METHODS: We selected admissions having either a main diagnosis of asthma or a main diagnosis of acute respiratory failure (ARF) with asthma as an associated diagnosis, occurring in children (age<15years) between 2002 and 2010 in France (excluding French Guyana). RESULTS: In 2010, 35,004 asthma admissions and 1381 cases of asthma-related ARF were recorded (crude admission rate, 30.1/10,000 children); the mean length of stay was 2days. The in-hospital lethality rate ranged from 0.01% to 0.03% depending on the year. The annual age-standardized admission rate increased between 2002 and 2010 (+2.5% per year on average in metropolitan France). In 2010, 11.8% of children admitted for asthma or asthma-related ARF were readmitted for asthma or asthma-related ARF at least once within the same calendar year, and 1.3% were readmitted within the week following admission. The proportion of children aged less than 5 years who were readmitted within the same calendar year increased between 2002 and 2010. CONCLUSION: The increase in admission and readmission rates indicates non-optimal management of asthma in children in France.

How can a climate change perspective be integrated into public health surveillance?

OBJECTIVES: Climate change may be considered as a key factor for environmental change, exposure to health risks and pathogens, consequently impairing the state of health among populations. Efficient health surveillance systems are required to support adaptation to climate change. However, despite a growing awareness, the public health surveillance sector has had very little involvement in the drafting of adaptation plans. This paper proposes a method to raise awareness about climate change in the public health community, to identify possible health risks and to assess the needs for reinforced health surveillance systems. METHODS: A working group was set up comprising surveillance experts in the following fields: environmental health; chronic diseases and; infectious diseases. Their goal was to define common objectives, to propose a framework for risk analysis, and to apply it to relevant health risks in France. RESULTS: The framework created helped to organize available information on climate-sensitive health risks, making a distinction between three main determinants as follows: (1) environment; (2) individual and social behaviours; and (3) demography and health status. The process is illustrated using two examples: heatwaves and airborne allergens. CONCLUSION: Health surveillance systems can be used to trigger early warning systems, to create databases which improve scientific knowledge about the health impacts of climate change, to identify and prioritize needs for intervention and adaptation measures, and to evaluate these measures. Adaptation requires public health professionals to consider climate change as a concrete input parameter in their studies and to create partnerships with professionals from other disciplines.

[Prevalence and control of asthma in young children in France]. / Prévalence et contrôle de l'asthme chez le jeune enfant en France.

INTRODUCTION: Few data on regional variations in asthma prevalence are available in France. METHODS: The study was carried out during the academic year 2005-2006 in a random sample of around 20,000 children in the last year of nursery school. The lifetime prevalence of asthma and the preceding year prevalences of asthma-like symptoms and treatment for wheezing or asthma attacks were estimated by region. RESULTS: Overall, the lifetime prevalence of asthma was 9.8 % and the past-year prevalence of wheezing was 10.7 %. An increasing trend in prevalence was observed from Eastern to Western France and in overseas territories. The regional variations in past-year prevalence of wheezing remained when adjusting for gender, family structure and the number of siblings. Among children who had wheezed or received a treatment in the past year, 42 % had experienced frequent or severe symptoms. CONCLUSION: Large regional variations in asthma prevalence among young children in France exist.

[Estimation of prevalence of depressive episodes in French adolescents]. / Estimation de la prévalence de l'épisode dépressif chez l'adolescent en France.

BACKGROUND: Although the diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders are important public health issues in adolescents, epidemiological data in this population are scarce. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to estimate the 12-month prevalence rates of depressive disorders among ninth grade pupils in French schools, and to identify the sociodemographic correlates. METHODS: The data were collected through a national cross-sectional study conducted among ninth grade pupils in France in 2003-2004. Depressive disorders were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire derived from the standardised Composite International Diagnosis Interview-Short Form (CIDI-SF). RESULTS: A total of 7110 teenagers (mean age 15.1 years) were included. Of these, 9.6% (95% CI 8.6-10.6) reported symptoms corresponding to at least one major depressive episode (MDE) over the past 12 months. Three correlates were independently associated with a higher prevalence of 12-month MDE: being a female (adjusted odds ratio 3.0; 95% CI 2.4-3.8), being greater or equal to 16 years old (aOR=2.2; 95% CI 1.0-5.0) and living alone with one's mother (aOR=1.7; 95% CI 1.3-2.4) or with one's mother and her spouse (aORa=1.4; 95% CI 1.0-2.1). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of depressive disorders in French adolescents is thoroughly discussed. The needs for developing mental health surveillance, comprehensive prevention and care programs for this population are crucial.

Readmissions for asthma in France in 2002-2005.

INTRODUCTION: Most admissions for asthma are preventable. The objective of this study was to describe readmissions for asthma. METHODS: We used the nationwide hospital database to identify readmissions for asthma in patients aged two to 44 years recorded in metropolitan France between 2002 and 2005. We selected patients having a main diagnosis of asthma or asthma-related acute respiratory failure. Readmission rates at seven days and one year were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The 1-year readmission rate was 15.0% and varied with age (being higher in patients aged two to four years and 35-44 years) and sex (being higher in females aged ten to 34 years). The 1-year readmission rate increased with index stay length. The 7-day readmission rate was 1.1% and was higher in patients with shorter index hospital stays. CONCLUSION: The rate of readmission of asthma patients is a relevant indicator for monitoring asthma and, more specifically, the clinical management of the disease. In the future, the accumulation of data from consecutive years and the linkage of admission data to asthma medication claims data can be expected to improve our understanding of severe asthma in France.

[Asthma in France: a review of descriptive epidemiological data]. / L'asthme en France : synthèse des données épidémiologiques descriptives.

This article presents a review of the most recent data on descriptive epidemiology of asthma in France. The latest national surveys show a cumulative prevalence of asthma of more than 10% in children aged 10 years or more and a prevalence of current asthma from 6 to 7% in adults. In 2006, 1038 deaths from asthma were registered (64 deaths among people aged less than 45 years). After the peak observed in the 1980s, mortality from asthma has decreased. The decrease is also observed among children and young adults. According to data from the French discharge database (PMSI), there were 54 130 admissions for asthma (asthma as the principal diagnosis) in 2007. Between 1998 and 2007, the annual rate of admission for asthma decreased. However, no decreasing trend was observed in children and, in adults, admission rates seem to have been stable since 2004. The increase in the rate of admission for acute respiratory failure (ARF) associated with asthma (ARF as the principal diagnosis and asthma as an associated diagnosis) does not compensate for the decrease in the admission rate for asthma that was observed in adults. Data on emergency department visits show evidence of strong seasonal variations in asthma exacerbations.

[Epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in France]. / Epidémiologie descriptive de la bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive (BPCO) en France.

This paper aims to summarize the most recent data on the descriptive epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in France. Data are presented concerning the prevalence, mortality and hospital admissions. The prevalence of COPD is difficult to estimate due to the large degree of under-diagnosis and the difficulty of performing spirometry in population-based epidemiological surveys. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was estimated at 4%, and the prevalence of COPD was estimated at 5-10%, among adults aged 45 years and older. Data from death certificates, although limited by the accuracy of certification, showed that the annual age-standardised mortality rates from COPD increased between 1979 and 2000 among women but remained stable among men. In 2006, about 16,500 death certificates mentioned COPD, of which 7400 identified it as the underlying cause of death. According to the French national hospital discharge database, the number of admissions related to an exacerbation of COPD ranged from 69,000 to 112,000 in 2006 according to the definition used. The admission rates have increased between 1998 and 2006 and this increase was more pronounced among women than among men. Large regional differences in COPD mortality and hospital admission rates were evident, with the highest rates in Northern and Eastern France and in Brittany.

[Hospital admissions for asthma exacerbation in children]. / Caractéristiques des hospitalisations pour exacerbation d'asthme en pédiatrie.

In France, half of hospital admissions for asthma concern children and the rates of hospitalization, decreasing in adults, are stable in children. Most admissions for asthma exacerbation are avoidable with appropriate disease management. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of children admitted for asthma. The study was carried out in 14 pediatric units over 1 year. Children aged 3 years and over who were hospitalized for an asthma exacerbation were included. Data from 727 hospitalizations were collected. In 48% of the hospitalizations, children were 3-5 years old. Asthma was undiagnosed at the time of the admission in 27%. Among children with diagnosed asthma, 57% had already been admitted to the hospital for asthma exacerbation, 37% had been admitted to the hospital or emergency department during the last year, and the control of asthma in the previous month was unacceptable in 46%; 11% had received an oral and written self-management action plan. This study underlines the need to strengthen the efforts to encourage improvement of the therapeutic education of asthmatic children in order to decrease the risk of hospitalization for exacerbation of asthma.

[Readmissions to hospital for asthma in France, 2002-2005]. / Les réadmissions pour asthme en France, 2002-2005.

BACKGROUND: Most hospital admissions with asthma are avoidable. The objective of the analysis was to describe hospital readmissions for asthma. METHODS: Using data from the French hospital information system, admissions for asthma or for acute respiratory failure associated with asthma that occurred in 2-44 years-old patients between 2002 and 2005 in France (excluding French overseas departments) were analysed. Readmission rates at 7 days and at 1 year were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The risk of readmission at 1 year was 15.0%. It varied according to age (higher in 2-4 year and 35-44 years-old patients) and sex (higher in 10-34 years-old females) and increased with the length of stay of the index admission. The risk of readmission at 7 days was 1.1% and was higher for the shortest lengths of stay. CONCLUSION: Readmissions for asthma are pertinent indicators for the monitoring of asthma, especially the clinical management of the disease. Using data from an increasing number of years, together with linkage of hospital admissions and asthma drug reimbursement data, should allow a better understanding of severe asthma in France.

[Chronic bronchitis: prevalence and quality of life. Analysis of data from the French Health Interview Survey 2002-2003]. / Bronchite chronique: prévalence et qualité de vie.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic bronchitis is associated with an increased risk of COPD and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impairment. The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of chronic bronchitis and to describe its relations with quality of life. METHODS: The French Health Interview Survey was conducted in 2003 in a representative sample of households. Data were collected during an interviewer's visits to the home. Respiratory symptoms and HRQoL (SF-36) were assessed in 9,050 adults aged 45 years and older using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was estimated at 3.5%. Chronic bronchitis was associated with an impaired physical component summary score after adjusting for sex, age and dyspnoea. It was associated with a reduced mental component summary score (MCS) among men. In women, this association was only significant in the absence of dyspnoea. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 3.5% among adults aged 45 years and older. Chronic bronchitis was associated with impairment in health-related quality of life.

[Prevalence of asthma among children in France]. / Prévalence de l'asthme chez l'enfant en France.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of asthma among children in France. METHODS: Data from 3 French national studies were analyzed: the Decennial Health Interview Survey conducted in 2003 among a representative sample of households and 2 surveys conducted among representative samples of schoolchildren from 9(th) grade in 2003-2004 and 5(th) grade in 2004-2005. In the Decennial Health Interview Survey, data on respiratory health were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that was filled in by 1675 children aged 11-14 years living in selected households. For the studies among schoolchildren, 7104 children from 5(th) grade and 7284 from 9(th) grade were interviewed by the school nurse or physician using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: The cumulative prevalence of asthma varied from 12.3 to 13.4% depending on the survey and the prevalence of current wheeze (wheezing in the past year) varied from 8.3 to 10.1%. The prevalence of current asthma (current wheeze in a child having already had an asthma attack or treatment for wheezing or asthma in the past year) was nearly 9% in 5(th)-grade and 9(th)-grade schoolchildren. Asthma was not controlled (at least 4 attacks, 1 awakening per week, 1 severe attack, 4 unplanned medical visits, or 1 hospitalization in the past year) in 38.5% of the 598 asthmatic teenagers from 9(th) grade, and 29.2% did not declare any anti-inflammatory drug treatment in the past week in spite of the absence of asthma control. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of current asthma among children in France is estimated at 9%. Asthma control and treatment remain insufficient. Improving therapeutic and educational management of asthma among children and teenagers is necessary.

[Trends in hospital admissions for asthma in France, 1998-2002]. / Evolution des hospitalisations pour asthme en France métropolitaine, 1998-2002.

BACKGROUND: As the quality of asthma care influences hospital admission rates, we described hospitalizations for asthma and studied trends in admission rates in France from 1998 to 2002. METHODS: Using data from the French hospital information system, admissions for asthma were defined by the J45 or J46 codes (ICD-10) as primary diagnosis, and admissions for acute respiratory failure (ARF) associated with asthma by the J96.0 code as primary diagnosis and the J45 or J46 codes as an associated diagnosis. Annual rates of admission adjusted for age and sex were calculated. RESULTS: During the study period, the adjusted asthma admission rate decreased by 5% per year (from 10.8/10,000 in 1998 to 8.6/10,000 in 2002). A significant decrease was observed in children aged 10-14 years (-5%/year) and in older people (from -7%/year in 15-19 years old to -9%/year in people aged 50 years or more), whereas no significant decrease was seen in youngest children (-2%/year in children aged 0-1 or 5-9 years, +0.1%/year in those aged 2-4 years). Although not statistically significant, an increase in admission rate for ARF associated with asthma was observed (+5%/year). CONCLUSION: Admission rates for asthma decreased between 1998 and 2002 in people aged 10 years and older. However, changes in coding practices or admission policies cannot be excluded and the extent to which the observed trends reflect changes in preventive care among patients with asthma remains to be assessed.

Deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in France, 1979-2002: a multiple cause analysis.

BACKGROUND: A study was undertaken of deaths with an underlying or associated cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and trends in COPD mortality from 1979 to 2002 in France were analysed. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Centre of Epidemiology on the Medical Causes of Death (CépiDc) for individuals aged 45 years and over. Owing to implementation of ICD-10 in 2000 for recording causes of death, two separate periods were analysed (1979-99 and 2000-2). RESULTS: In 2000-2, COPD was the underlying cause of 1.4% of deaths (deaths from COPD) and was mentioned on the death certificate in 3.0% (deaths with COPD). The other main underlying causes in these cases were cardiovascular diseases (32.0%) and cancers (24.5%). In 1979-99, age standardised rates of death with COPD remained stable in men (-0.01%/year) and increased in women (+1.7%/year). The mean annual rates of death with COPD per 100 000 were 84 for men and 19 for women in 2000-2. CONCLUSION: Multiple cause analysis improved the estimate of COPD related mortality. In 1979-99, COPD related mortality rates in France were stable in men but increased in women. Implementation of ICD-10 in 2000 introduced substantial discontinuities in mortality trends.

Foodborne infections in France.

To quantify the impact of foodborne diseases on health, and set priorities for data collection, prevention and control of these diseases, we compiled and analyzed information from surveillance systems and other sources on the morbidity and mortality due to foodborne infectious diseases in mainland France in the last decade of the 20th century. Illness due to 13 bacteria, two viruses, and eight parasites were studied. The number of foodborne infections, hospitalizations, and deaths were estimated from multiple data sources. For each agent, several estimates were derived from the different sources. Estimates were ranked according to their plausibility, based on an assessment of the validity of the data source, and are presented as a "plausible interval" consisting of a low and high estimate. We estimate that these pathogens caused 10,200-17,800 hospitalizations per year. Salmonella is the most frequent cause (5,700-10,200 cases), followed by Campylobacter (2,600-3,500 cases) and Listeria (304 cases). Toxoplasmosis accounts for the majority of hospitalizations (426 cases) attributable to the studied parasitic infections. The number of deaths related to foodborne infection was estimated between 228 and 691. Bacterial pathogens account for the majority (191 to 652) of deaths of which 92 to 535 are attributable to salmonellosis, ranking as the first cause of death, and 78 to listeriosis, the second cause. Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria are the main causes of severe foodborne illness in France. For several pathogens, data are insufficient to derive exact estimates of the disease burden. Nevertheless, it has been possible to derive plausible estimates for the majority, and to rank them according to their impact on public health.