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Airway Symptoms (airway + symptom)
Selected AbstractsMaternal smoking increases risk of allergic sensitization and wheezing only in children with allergic predisposition: longitudinal analysis from birth to 10 yearsALLERGY, Issue 3 2009T. Keil Background:, The role of passive smoking for allergies and asthma in children above the age of 3 years remains unclear and possible interactive effects with parental allergies have not been formally evaluated in long-term studies. To examine the interaction of passive smoking and an allergic predisposition regarding allergic sensitization, allergic airway symptoms and respiratory infections during the first 10 years of life. Methods:, In a prospective multicenter birth cohort study with 1314 recruited children in Germany, we assessed serum immunoglobulin E against common allergens at seven time points, and parental smoking and respiratory symptoms annually by using questionnaires. Longitudinal analyses were performed using generalized estimating equation models (stratified by parental allergy status). Results:, During the first 10 years, 18% of the children were exposed to regular maternal smoking since pregnancy, 43% to irregular maternal or only paternal smoking. Among children with two allergic parents, a mother who smoked regularly significantly increased the odds for allergic sensitization (adjusted OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.3,18.2) and wheezing (adjusted OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.7,19.0) in her child compared with children who were never exposed. For those with only one allergic parent, the odds were doubled and also statistically significant, whereas in children without allergic parents maternal smoking had no effects. There was no association of maternal smoking with allergic rhinitis or respiratory infections. Conclusions:, Our results suggest that regular maternal smoking is a strong risk factor for allergic sensitization and asthma symptoms during the first 10 years of life, but only in children with allergic parents. [source] Is wheezing associated with decreased sleep quality in Sri Lankan children?PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 7 2007A questionnaire study Abstract Aim To investigate the association between wheezing and impaired sleep in Sri Lankan children, aged 6,12 years; and, to report the prevalence of asthma-related symptoms in these subjects. Methods The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and a separate sleep questionnaire were completed. Results Of 800 originally distributed questionnaires, 652 were analyzed. Wheezing was present in 89 children (14%). Within this group, 66% reported wheezing in the last 12 months. Wheezing children had a significantly higher presence of snoring, restless sleep, nocturnal awakenings and daytime tiredness. Wheezing was found to be independently associated with restless sleep (odds ratio (OR),=,2.4). There was no association between wheezing and difficulties falling asleep, nocturnal awakenings, apneas, and daytime sleepiness and tiredness. After adjusting for possible confounders, the following significant associations were present: snoring and apneas (OR,=,1.6), chronic rhinitis and apneas (OR,=,1.6), snoring and restless sleep (OR,=,3.2), chronic rhinitis and restless sleep (OR,=,2.1), and hayfever and daytime tiredness (OR,=,4.3). Wheezing was related to an increased risk of snoring (OR,=,2.8) and subjects with chronic rhinitis had also an increased risk of snoring (OR,=,1.7), adjusting for possible confounders. Conclusion The sleep of wheezing children was impaired compared with their non-wheezing peers, resulting in an increased prevalence of daytime tiredness. Upper airway symptoms, such as chronic rhinitis or hayfever, should be carefully considered in these children, as they might be responsible for these sleep problems. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:579,583. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effects of theatrical smokes and fogs on respiratory health in the entertainment industryAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2005Sunil Varughese MSc Abstract Background Theatrical fogs (glycol or mineral oil aerosols) are widely used in the entertainment industry to create special effects and make lighting visible. Methods We studied 101 employees at 19 sites using fogs and measured personal fog exposures, across work shift lung function, and acute and chronic symptoms. Results were also compared to an external control population, studied previously. Results Chronic work-related wheezing and chest tightness were significantly associated with increased cumulative exposure to fogs (mineral oil and glycols) over the previous 2 years. Acute cough and dry throat were associated with acute exposure to glycol-based fogs; increased acute upper airway symptoms were associated with increased fog aerosol overall. Lung function was significantly lower among those working closest to the fog source. Conclusions Mineral oil- and glycol-based fogs are associated with acute and chronic adverse effects on respiratory health among employees. Reducing exposure, through controls, substitution, and elimination where possible, is likely to reduce these effects. Am. J. Ind. Med. 47:411,418, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Risk factors for adult-onset asthma: A 14-year longitudinal studyRESPIROLOGY, Issue 6 2009Euzebiusz JAMROZIK ABSTRACT Background and objectives: Few longitudinal studies have examined the risk factors and natural history of adult-onset asthma. This study assessed the subject characteristics and lifestyle factors that predicted the new diagnosis of asthma in adulthood and how these factors changed over time in those who developed asthma compared with those who do not. Methods: The study enrolled 1554 adults from the Busselton Health Study seen in 1981 and again in 1994,1995 who initially reported never having had doctor-diagnosed asthma. Questionnaire measures were used to assess doctor-diagnosed asthma, respiratory history and tobacco smoking. Height, weight and spirometric measures of lung function were measured. Atopy was assessed by skin prick tests. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for adult-onset asthma and changes over time. Results: Reported wheeze, rhinitis, chronic cough, smoking and lower levels of lung function in 1981 each predicted asthma diagnosis by 1994,1995. Neither initial skin-prick reactivity nor newly positive skin-prick tests at follow up were associated with adult-onset asthma. Those diagnosed with asthma were more likely to have new wheeze, new rhinitis, new habitual snoring, weight gain and excess decline in lung function. Conclusions: Adult-onset asthma has risk factors that are distinct from those observed in childhood asthma. The presence of upper airway symptoms including rhinitis, as well as lifestyle factors, such as smoking, predicts those at greatest risk. However, neither pre-existing atopy nor new atopy as measured by skin prick tests was associated with adult-onset asthma. [source] Correlation of Findings on Direct Laryngoscopy and Bronchoscopy With Presence of Extraesophageal Reflux DiseaseTHE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 9 2000Michele M. Carr DDS Abstract Objective To determine the correlation between findings at direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy and presence of extraesophageal reflux disease (EERD). Study Design Retrospective chart review Methods Operative notes of 155 children undergoing direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy between 1996 and 1999 for airway symptoms for whom there was a suspicion of EERD were examined. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was considered present if at least one test was positive (including upper GI series, pH probe, gastric scintiscan, or esophageal biopsy). Results A total of 130 (84%) patients had GERD diagnosed. Ninety percent had at least one laryngotracheal abnormality: 83% had an abnormal larynx and 66% had an abnormal trachea. Laryngeal abnormalities in GERD included postglottic edema, 69%; arytenoid edema, 30%; large lingual tonsil, 16%; vocal fold edema, 12%; vocal fold nodule, 12%; ventricular obliteration, 5%; and hypopharyngeal cobblestoning, 3%. Tracheobronchial abnormalities in GERD included tracheal cobblestoning, 33%; blunting of carina, 12.5%; subglottic stenosis, 11%; increased secretions, 11%; and generalized edema or erythema, 5%. The best sensitivity or specificity was obtained by combining postglottic edema, arytenoid edema, and vocal fold edema, resulting in a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 67%. Positive predictive value was 100% for the combination of postglottic edema and any vocal fold or ventricular abnormality. Conclusion Laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy can reveal findings with a high positive predictive value for the presence of GERD. Endoscopy of the upper airway in children with clinical signs and symptoms of EERD is a promising tool for diagnosis. [source] Modulation of the epithelial inflammatory response to rhinovirus in an atopic environmentCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 3 2008M. Xatzipsalti Summary Background Immune responses to rhinovirus (RV) as well as direct effects of RV on respiratory epithelium may contribute to the induction of asthma exacerbations. Objective To evaluate the effect of the environment resulting from an atopic immune response on RV-induced epithelial inflammation, replication and cytotoxicity. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from atopic asthmatic subjects and matched controls (12 pairs) were isolated and stimulated by RVs. Human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells were infected with RV in the presence of conditioned media from RV-stimulated PBMC cultures. IL-6, IL-8, RANTES and TGF-,1 levels were measured by ELISA, RV-induced cytotoxicity by a colorimetric method and RV titres on Ohio-HeLa cells. Results RV-induced epithelial production of IL-6, IL-8 and RANTES was significantly lower, while TGF-,1 was higher when cells were exposed to conditioned media from atopic asthmatic subjects compared with those from normal controls. Exposure to the ,atopic' environment also resulted in elevated RV titres and increased RV-induced cytotoxicity. Conclusions Under the influence of an atopic environment, the epithelial inflammatory response to RV is down-regulated, associated with increased viral proliferation and augmented cell damage, while TGF is up-regulated. These changes may help explain the propensity of atopic asthmatic individuals to develop lower airway symptoms after respiratory infections and indicate a mechanism through which viral infections may promote airway remodelling. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||