Henna Hyrkäs1, Tiina M Ikäheimo2, Jouni J K Jaakkola3, Maritta S Jaakkola4. 1. Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Finland. Electronic address: henna.hyrkas@oulu.fi. 2. Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Finland. Electronic address: tiina.ikaheimo@oulu.fi. 3. Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Finland. Electronic address: jouni.jaakkola@oulu.fi. 4. Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Finland. Electronic address: maritta.jaakkola@oulu.fi.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the northern hemisphere people are exposed recurrently to cold air and asthmatics experience more respiratory symptoms. We hypothesized that subjects with poor asthma control are more prone to experience cold weather-related respiratory symptoms than those with good asthma control. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study of 1995 adult asthmatics (response rate 40.4%) living in the Northern Finland was conducted using a questionnaire where cold weather-related respiratory symptoms as well as questions related to asthma control were inquired. The Asthma Control Test (ACT) was defined based on five questions (disadvantage and occurrence of asthma symptoms, waking up because of asthma symptoms, use of rescue medication and self-assessment of asthma control during the past 4 weeks), and was divided into quartiles. RESULTS: Cold weather-related respiratory symptoms were more frequent among asthmatics with poorly controlled asthma (ACT Q1 vs. ACT Q4); adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) for shortness of breath (men 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.22-1.77; women 1.18, 1.07-1.30), cough (men 1.10, 0.91-1.34; women 1.18, 1.08-1.30), wheezing (men 1.91, 1.31-2.78; women 1.48, 1.17-1.87), phlegm production (men 1.51, 1.06-2.14; women 1.62, 1.27-2.08) and chest pain (men 4.47, 1.89-10.56; women 2.60, 1.64-4.12). The relations between asthma control and symptom occurrence seemed stronger among smokers than never smokers and subjects with body mass index (BMI) below and above 25-30. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides new evidence that subjects whose asthma is poorly controlled are more prone to experience cold weather-related respiratory symptoms and even a slight worsening of asthma control increases symptom prevalences.
BACKGROUND: In the northern hemisphere people are exposed recurrently to cold air and asthmatics experience more respiratory symptoms. We hypothesized that subjects with poor asthma control are more prone to experience cold weather-related respiratory symptoms than those with good asthma control. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study of 1995 adult asthmatics (response rate 40.4%) living in the Northern Finland was conducted using a questionnaire where cold weather-related respiratory symptoms as well as questions related to asthma control were inquired. The Asthma Control Test (ACT) was defined based on five questions (disadvantage and occurrence of asthma symptoms, waking up because of asthma symptoms, use of rescue medication and self-assessment of asthma control during the past 4 weeks), and was divided into quartiles. RESULTS: Cold weather-related respiratory symptoms were more frequent among asthmatics with poorly controlled asthma (ACT Q1 vs. ACT Q4); adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) for shortness of breath (men 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.22-1.77; women 1.18, 1.07-1.30), cough (men 1.10, 0.91-1.34; women 1.18, 1.08-1.30), wheezing (men 1.91, 1.31-2.78; women 1.48, 1.17-1.87), phlegm production (men 1.51, 1.06-2.14; women 1.62, 1.27-2.08) and chest pain (men 4.47, 1.89-10.56; women 2.60, 1.64-4.12). The relations between asthma control and symptom occurrence seemed stronger among smokers than never smokers and subjects with body mass index (BMI) below and above 25-30. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides new evidence that subjects whose asthma is poorly controlled are more prone to experience cold weather-related respiratory symptoms and even a slight worsening of asthma control increases symptom prevalences.
Authors: Henna Hyrkäs-Palmu; Tiina M Ikäheimo; Tiina Laatikainen; Pekka Jousilahti; Maritta S Jaakkola; Jouni J K Jaakkola Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2018-07-04 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: Joo Hee Kim; Young Sook Jang; Hwan Il Kim; Ji Young Park; Sung Hoon Park; Yong Il Hwang; Seung Hun Jang; Ki Suck Jung; Hae Sim Park; Choon Sik Park Journal: Allergy Asthma Immunol Res Date: 2020-07 Impact factor: 5.764
Authors: Gabrielle Brankston; Amy L Greer; Quinn Marshall; Brittany Lang; Kai Moore; Douglas Hodgins; John T G Hennessey; Janet Beeler-Marfisi Journal: Front Vet Sci Date: 2020-05-05