Influence of family history and smoking habits on the incidence of self-reported physician's diagnosis of COPD

Parental COPD as a Risk Factor for the Development of COPD and Disease Severity in Offspring: A Systematic Scoping Review

Background

There is sparse literature on parental chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as a risk factor for the development of COPD in adult offspring, and the impact on disease severity. We aimed to map the literature reporting on the prevalence of and/or association between parental COPD and COPD in offspring, and to evaluate whether or not the literature reports on the severity of COPD or other health-related outcomes in offspring with parental COPD.

Methods

A systematic literature search in Embase and Ovid MEDLINE was performed in June 2021. Search terms revolved around COPD and predisposition.

Results

Thirteen studies were identified: 10 case-control studies, two cross-sectional studies and one cohort study. Population size varied from 44 to 2668 offspring cases; the distribution of female cases varied from 5% to 80% and mean age ranged from 27 to 65. Nine studies used an antecedents approach and evaluated the prevalence of parental COPD in patients with COPD, which ranged from 19% to 58%. Four studies used a descendants approach, by identifying patients with COPD and subsequently evaluated prevalence of COPD in their offspring, and found a prevalence of 0% to 17%. Apart from one, all the studies found an increased odds ratio for COPD in individuals with parental COPD. Four studies reported on parental smoking history and nine studies reported on smoking history in offspring. Three studies evaluated the association between parental COPD and COPD-related outcomes in patients with COPD.

Conclusion

This review indicates that parental COPD is associated with a higher risk of COPD in offspring. The literature is sparse, and we identified a knowledge gap on whether parental COPD is a risk factor for severe COPD and other health conditions in offspring.

Relative contributions of family history and a polygenic risk score on COPD and related outcomes: COPDGene and ECLIPSE studies

INTRODUCTION

Family history is a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We previously developed a COPD risk score from genome-wide genetic markers (Polygenic Risk Score, PRS). Whether the PRS and family history provide complementary or redundant information for predicting COPD and related outcomes is unknown.

METHODS

We assessed the predictive capacity of family history and PRS on COPD and COPD-related outcomes in non-Hispanic white (NHW) and African American (AA) subjects from COPDGene and ECLIPSE studies. We also performed interaction and mediation analyses.

RESULTS

In COPDGene, family history and PRS were significantly associated with COPD in a single model (PFamHx <0.0001; PPRS<0.0001). Similar trends were seen in ECLIPSE. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for a model containing family history and PRS was significantly higher than a model with PRS (p=0.00035) in NHWs and a model with family history (p<0.0001) alone in NHWs and AAs. Both family history and PRS were significantly associated with measures of quantitative emphysema and airway thickness. There was a weakly positive interaction between family history and the PRS under the additive, but not multiplicative scale in NHWs (relative excess risk due to interaction=0.48, p=0.04). Mediation analyses found that a significant proportion of the effect of family history on COPD was mediated through PRS in NHWs (16.5%, 95% CI 9.4% to 24.3%), but not AAs.

CONCLUSION

Family history and the PRS provide complementary information for predicting COPD and related outcomes. Future studies can address the impact of obtaining both measures in clinical practice.

Brain natriuretic peptide levels in middle aged subjects with normal left ventricular function in relation to mild-moderate COPD

BACKGROUND

Levels of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been shown to be elevated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) especially in connection with cor pulmonale (CP) and the late stages of the disease. BNP is also raised in left sided heart failure which sometimes coincides with COPD. Whether BNP is elevated in subjects with mild-moderate stable COPD and normal left ventricular function is not clear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate BNP levels in subjects with mild-moderate COPD and normal left ventricular function.

METHODS

This was a cross sectional study of 450 subjects from a population-based respiratory questionnaire survey. All subjects were examined with echocardiography and spirometry and blood samples were drawn for BNP measurements. Subjects with left sided heart disease (n = 26) or echocardiographic signs of elevated filling pressure (n = 75), COPD stages III and IV (n = 5) or missing data (n = 13) were excluded.

RESULTS

In the final study population (n = 331) spirometry identified 86 subjects with COPD (GOLD stage I, n = 65 and GOLD stage II, n = 21). In comparison with the rest of the study population subjects with COPD were significantly older, longer and with a male predominance. In a multivariate linear regression analysis with log-normalized (lnBNP) as the dependent variable a significant correlation was found with age, left atrial volume, body surface area and haemoglobin, but not with any pulmonary variables. Even when comparing groups no significant difference could be found between the plasma levels of lnBNP in normal subjects (1.8 ± 0.7 mean ± SD, pmol/L) subjects and in COPD subjects (1.9 ± 0.7, P = 0.47).

CONCLUSIONS

In a population with normal left ventricular function no significant differences in BNP levels between stable mild-moderate COPD subjects and normal individuals could be found.

"What are my chances of developing COPD if one of my parents has the disease?" A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence of co-occurrence of COPD diagnosis in parents and offspring

Introduction

Intergenerational associations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been well recognized and may result from genetic, gene environment, or exposure to life course factors. Consequently, adult offspring of parents with COPD may be at a greater risk of developing COPD. The aim of this study was to review the prevalence of co-occurrence of COPD in adult offspring with one or both parents having COPD independent of specific genetic variations.

Methods

In total, five databases were searched for original studies in which prevalence of COPD was reported in both offspring (children) and one or both parents. Studies were excluded if COPD was not clearly defined, COPD was linked to specific genetic variations, COPD was combined with other chronic respiratory conditions, or estimates included other first-degree relatives. Data extraction (ie, sample characteristics, prevalence of COPD, and odds ratio [OR] if reported) was completed by two independent reviewers. A meta-analysis of prevalence and OR was conducted, where possible.

Results

Of the 3,382 citations, 129 full texts were reviewed to include eight studies (six case–control, one cross-sectional, and one cohort) reflecting either prevalence of COPD in offspring of parents with COPD (descendent approach, n=3), which ranged from 0% to 17.3%, or prevalence of people with COPD reporting positive parental history of COPD (antecedent approach, n=5), for which the pooled prevalence was 28.6%. Offspring of people with COPD had 1.57 times greater odds (95% confidence interval =1.29–1.93; P<0.001) of having COPD compared with people not having a parental history of COPD.

Conclusion

The prevalence of COPD in adult offspring of people with COPD is greater than population-based estimates, and the ORs indicate a higher risk in this group. This offers clinicians a potential strategy for opportunistic screening, early identification, and intervention in this at-risk group.

Echocardiographic consequences of smoking status in middle-aged subjects

BACKGROUND

Smoking is known to have many short- and long-term cardiovascular effects. Cardiac index (CI), which is cardiac output indexed to body surface area, is considered to be a valid measure of cardiac performance. We investigated whether there were any differences in CI or other echocardiographic variables between never smokers, ex-smokers, and current smokers in a cardiopulmonary healthy population.

METHODS

Subjects (n=355) from a previous population-based respiratory questionnaire survey (never smokers, ex-smokers, and current smokers without significant chronic obstructive lung disease) were examined with echocardiography, and CI (L/min/m² ) was calculated.

RESULTS

Current smokers had a higher CI than never smokers 2.61±0.52 L/min/m² vs. 2.42±0.49 L/min/m² (P<.01). Ex-smokers had a nonsignificant, numerically higher value for CI than never smokers 2.54±0.54 L/min/m² vs. 2.42±0.49 L/min/m² (P>.05). Smoking status had no significant effect on other echocardiographic variables.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that currents smokers without known cardiac disease or significant chronic obstructive lung disease show signs of slightly altered hemodynamics.

SmokeHaz: Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses of the Effects of Smoking on Respiratory Health

BACKGROUND

Smoking tobacco increases the risk of respiratory disease in adults and children, but communicating the magnitude of these effects in a scientific manner that is accessible and usable by the public and policymakers presents a challenge. We have therefore summarized scientific data on the impact of smoking on respiratory diseases to provide the content for a unique resource, SmokeHaz.

METHODS

We conducted systematic reviews and meta-analyses of longitudinal studies (published to 2013) identified from electronic databases, gray literature, and experts. Random effect meta-analyses were used to pool the findings.

RESULTS

We included 216 articles. Among adult smokers, we confirmed substantially increased risks of lung cancer (risk ratio (RR), 10.92; 95% CI, 8.28-14.40; 34 studies), COPD (RR, 4.01; 95% CI, 3.18-5.05; 22 studies), and asthma (RR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.07-2.42; eight studies). Exposure to passive smoke significantly increased the risk of lung cancer in adult nonsmokers and increased the risks of asthma, wheeze, lower respiratory infections, and reduced lung function in children. Smoking significantly increased the risk of sleep apnea and asthma exacerbations in adult and pregnant populations, and active and passive smoking increased the risk of tuberculosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings have been translated into easily digestible content and published on the SmokeHaz website.

Prevalence and incidence of COPD in smokers and non-smokers: the Rotterdam Study

COPD is the third leading cause of death in the world and its global burden is predicted to increase further. Even though the prevalence of COPD is well studied, only few studies examined the incidence of COPD in a prospective and standardized manner. In a prospective population-based cohort study (Rotterdam Study) enrolling subjects aged ≥45, COPD was diagnosed based on a pre-bronchodilator obstructive spirometry (FEV1/FVC < 0.70). In absence of an interpretable spirometry within the Rotterdam Study, cases were defined as having COPD diagnosed by a physician on the basis of clinical presentation and obstructive lung function measured by the general practitioner or respiratory physician. Incidence rates were calculated by dividing the number of incident cases by the total number of person years of subjects at risk. In this cohort of 14,619 participants, 1993 subjects with COPD were identified of whom 689 as prevalent ones and 1304 cases as incident ones. The overall incidence rate (IR) of COPD was 8.9/1000 person-years (PY); 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) 8.4-9.4. The IR was higher in males and in smokers. The proportion of female COPD participants without a history of smoking was 27.2 %, while this proportion was 7.3 % in males. The prevalence of COPD in the Rotterdam Study is 4.7 % and the overall incidence is approximately 9/1000 PY, with a higher incidence in males and in smokers. The proportion of never-smokers among female COPD cases is substantial.

Meta-analysis approach to study the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among current, former and non-smokers

Comparative risk assessment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among current, former and non-smokers categories remains controversial and not studied in detail. We conducted a meta-analysis to summarize all the relevant published studies on this topic and to update the association between smoking and prevalence of COPD in current, former and non-smokers. Identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion of articles for the study were conducted as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Quality assessment of included studies was undertaken using a scoring sheet. Meta-analysis after the final synthesis of the selected studies was performed using the STATA and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software. Estimates from forty two independent studies reporting 547,391 individuals were identified. Twenty two studies were conducted in Europe, nine in America and ten in Asia and one from New Zealand. The meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of COPD was significantly higher in current smokers compared with former and non-smokers. However, owing to large heterogeneity among the estimates obtained from the studies, stratification was done with respect to continent, diagnostic criteria of COPD and study design which also showed similar results. The stratified analysis also revealed similar trend of results with prevalence of COPD being higher in current smokers as compared to former and non-smokers. The present meta-analysis highlights the positive association between smoking and COPD prevalence. There is an urgent need to implement more effective policies towards the restriction of tobacco use, to reduce the burden of COPD.

Familial transmission of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adoptees: a Swedish nationwide family study

OBJECTIVES

Familial clustering of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is well established, but the familial risk of COPD has not been determined among adoptees. The aim was to determine whether the familial transmission of COPD is related to disease in biological and/or adoptive parents.

DESIGN

Historic cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

80,214 (50% females).

METHODS

The Swedish Multi-Generation Register was used to follow all Swedish-born adoptees born in 1932-2004 (n=80,214) between 1 January 1964 and 31 December 2010 for COPD (n=1978). The risk of COPD was estimated in adoptees with at least one biological parent with COPD but no adoptive parent with COPD (n=162) compared with adoptees without a biological or adoptive parent with COPD. The risk of COPD was also determined in adoptees with at least one adoptive parent but no biological parent with COPD (n=110), and in adoptees with both affected biological and adoptive parents (n=162).

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE

COPD in adoptees.

RESULTS

Adoptees with COPD in at least one biological parent but no adoptive parent were more likely to have COPD than adoptees without a biological or adoptive parent with COPD (standardised incidence ratio, SIR=1.98 (95% CI 1.69 to 2.31)). The familial SIR for adoptees with both a biological parent and an adoptive parent with COPD was 1.68 (95% CI 1.39 to 2.00). Adoptees with at least one adoptive parent with COPD but no biological parent with COPD were not at an increased risk of COPD (SIR=1.12 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.35)).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the study show that the familial transmission of COPD is associated with COPD in biological but not adoptive parents, suggesting that genetic or early life factors are important in the familial transmission of COPD.

Combined effect of smoking and occupational exposure to dusts, gases or fumes on the incidence of COPD

To assess risk factors related to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including smoking and occupational exposure (OE) to dusts, gases or fumes, we performed a longitudinal 11-year follow-up postal survey. The original study population was a random population sample of 8000 inhabitants of Helsinki aged 20 to 69 years in 1996. Participants of the first postal questionnaire were invited to this follow-up survey in 2007 with 4302 (78%) answers obtained. Cumulative incidence of COPD in 11 years was 3.43% corresponding to an incidence rate of 3.17/1000/year after exclusion of those with self-reported physician-diagnosed COPD and ever COPD in 1996. Smoking and age, but not gender, were associated with incident COPD. Reported family history of COPD increased the cumulative incidence to 8.55% vs 3.04% among those without a family history (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, significant independent risk factors for incident COPD were: current smoking in 1996 (OR 4.40 [95% CI 2.89-6.71]), age over 50 (OR 3.42 [95% CI 2.22-5.26]), family history of COPD (OR 2.08 [1.27-3.43]), ever asthma (OR 2.28 [1.35-3.86]), and self-reported OE (OR 2.14 [1.50-3.05]). Occupational exposure to dusts, gases or fumes, assessed both based on self-reported exposure and a job exposure matrix using reported professions, was an independent risk factor for incident COPD. Smoking and OE together yielded an additive effect on incidence of COPD.

Vulnerability of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease according to gender in China

Background

Little information is available regarding the vulnerability of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in China. We aimed to assess this according to patient gender.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural area of Xuzhou in China. We interviewed and administered questionnaires to 2825 male and 2825 female patients with COPD and subjected the data generated to statistical analysis. We compared differences between proportions of male and female patients using the χ² test.

Results

The rate of current smoking in men was 30.1%, whereas that in women was 10.9%, and 31.5% of men had a history of using biomass fuel compared with 75.3% of women. Further, 26.0% of the male patients and 16.4% of the female patients did not take theophylline regularly when their disease was stable. During acute exacerbations, 65.8% of the male patients and 39.7% of the female patients took theophylline or similar drugs. The average potential shortening of life expectancy was 1.76 years for men and 1.18 years for women. The average indirect economic burden was 11158.4 yuan for men and 7481.2 yuan for women. The quality of life was worse in female patients than in male patients.

Conclusion

We found that patients with COPD were vulnerable and that factors determining vulnerability were different for men than for women. Therefore, we recommend adopting different measures for men and women when attempting to prevent, control, and treat COPD, rehabilitate these patients, and improve their quality of life.

Epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a literature review

The aim of this study is to quantify the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – incidence, prevalence, and mortality – and identify trends in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. A structured literature search was performed (January 2000 to September 2010) of PubMed and EMBASE, identifying English-language articles reporting COPD prevalence, incidence, or mortality. Of 2838 articles identified, 299 full-text articles were reviewed, and data were extracted from 133 publications. Prevalence data were extracted from 80 articles, incidence data from 15 articles, and mortality data from 58 articles. Prevalence ranged from 0.2%–37%, but varied widely across countries and populations, and by COPD diagnosis and classification methods. Prevalence and incidence were greatest in men and those aged 75 years and older. Mortality ranged from 3–111 deaths per 100,000 population. Mortality increased in the last 30–40 years; more recently, mortality decreased in men in several countries, while increasing or stabilizing in women. Although COPD mortality increased over time, rates declined more recently, likely indicating improvements in COPD management. In many countries, COPD mortality has increased in women but decreased in men. This may be explained by differences in smoking patterns and a greater vulnerability in women to the adverse effects of smoking.

Systematic review with meta-analysis of the epidemiological evidence relating smoking to COPD, chronic bronchitis and emphysema

BACKGROUND

Smoking is a known cause of the outcomes COPD, chronic bronchitis (CB) and emphysema, but no previous systematic review exists. We summarize evidence for various smoking indices.

METHODS

Based on MEDLINE searches and other sources we obtained papers published to 2006 describing epidemiological studies relating incidence or prevalence of these outcomes to smoking. Studies in children or adolescents, or in populations at high respiratory disease risk or with co-existing diseases were excluded. Study-specific data were extracted on design, exposures and outcomes considered, and confounder adjustment. For each outcome RRs/ORs and 95% CIs were extracted for ever, current and ex smoking and various dose response indices, and meta-analyses and meta-regressions conducted to determine how relationships were modified by various study and RR characteristics.

RESULTS

Of 218 studies identified, 133 provide data for COPD, 101 for CB and 28 for emphysema. RR estimates are markedly heterogeneous. Based on random-effects meta-analyses of most-adjusted RR/ORs, estimates are elevated for ever smoking (COPD 2.89, CI 2.63-3.17, n = 129 RRs; CB 2.69, 2.50-2.90, n = 114; emphysema 4.51, 3.38-6.02, n = 28), current smoking (COPD 3.51, 3.08-3.99; CB 3.41, 3.13-3.72; emphysema 4.87, 2.83-8.41) and ex smoking (COPD 2.35, 2.11-2.63; CB 1.63, 1.50-1.78; emphysema 3.52, 2.51-4.94). For COPD, RRs are higher for males, for studies conducted in North America, for cigarette smoking rather than any product smoking, and where the unexposed base is never smoking any product, and are markedly lower when asthma is included in the COPD definition. Variations by sex, continent, smoking product and unexposed group are in the same direction for CB, but less clearly demonstrated. For all outcomes RRs are higher when based on mortality, and for COPD are markedly lower when based on lung function. For all outcomes, risk increases with amount smoked and pack-years. Limited data show risk decreases with increasing starting age for COPD and CB and with increasing quitting duration for COPD. No clear relationship is seen with duration of smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

The results confirm and quantify the causal relationships with smoking.

Family history is a risk factor for COPD

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that family history is a risk factor for COPD, but have not accounted for family history of smoking. Therefore, we sought to identify the effects of family history of smoking and family history of COPD on COPD susceptibility.

METHODS

We compared 821 patients with COPD to 776 control smokers from the Genetic Epidemiology of COPD (COPDGene) Study. Questionnaires captured parental histories of smoking and COPD, as well as childhood environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure. Socioeconomic status was defined by educational achievement.

RESULTS

Parental history of smoking (85.5% case patients, 82.9% control subjects) was more common than parental history of COPD (43.0% case patients, 30.8% control subjects). In a logistic regression model, parental history of COPD (OR, 1.73; P < .0001) and educational level (OR, 0.48 for some college vs no college; P < .0001) were significant predictors of COPD, but parental history of smoking and childhood ETS exposure were not significant. The population-attributable risk from COPD family history was 18.6%. Patients with COPD with a parental history had more severe disease, with lower lung function, worse quality of life, and more frequent exacerbations. There were nonsignificant trends for more severe emphysema and airway disease on quantitative chest CT scans.

CONCLUSIONS

Family history of COPD is a strong risk factor for COPD, independent of family history of smoking, personal lifetime smoking, or childhood ETS exposure. Although further studies are required to identify genetic variants that influence COPD susceptibility, clinicians should question all smokers, especially those with known or suspected COPD, regarding COPD family history.

An official American Thoracic Society public policy statement: Novel risk factors and the global burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

RATIONALE

Although cigarette smoking is the most important cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a substantial proportion of COPD cases cannot be explained by smoking alone.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the risk factors for COPD besides personal cigarette smoking.

METHODS

We constituted an ad hoc subcommittee of the American Thoracic Society Environmental and Occupational Health Assembly. An international group of members was invited, based on their scientific expertise in a specific risk factor for COPD. For each risk factor area, the committee reviewed the literature, summarized the evidence, and developed conclusions about the likelihood of it causing COPD. All conclusions were based on unanimous consensus.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The population-attributable fraction for smoking as a cause of COPD ranged from 9.7 to 97.9%, but was less than 80% in most studies, indicating a substantial burden of disease attributable to nonsmoking risk factors. On the basis of our review, we concluded that specific genetic syndromes and occupational exposures were causally related to the development of COPD. Traffic and other outdoor pollution, secondhand smoke, biomass smoke, and dietary factors are associated with COPD, but sufficient criteria for causation were not met. Chronic asthma and tuberculosis are associated with irreversible loss of lung function, but there remains uncertainty about whether there are important phenotypic differences compared with COPD as it is typically encountered in clinical settings.

CONCLUSIONS

In public health terms, a substantive burden of COPD is attributable to risk factors other than smoking. To prevent COPD-related disability and mortality, efforts must focus on prevention and cessation of exposure to smoking and these other, less well-recognized risk factors.

Specific nasal symptoms and symptom-provoking factors may predict increased risk of developing COPD

In a 1992 questionnaire study, we found that certain nasal symptoms and symptom-provoking factors were associated with prevalence of self-reported chronic bronchitis/emphysema (CBE). In this follow-up study, we examined whether any nasal features could predict an increased incidence of self-reported physician's diagnosis of CBE/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In 2000, a survey was performed similar to the one in 1992. Of a paired follow-up group of 4933 participants aged 28-67 years, 4280 (86.8%) returned the questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) for cumulative incidence (between 1992 and 2000) of self-reported physician-diagnosed CBE/COPD and asthma, respectively, were calculated by logistic regression with adjustment for age, gender and smoking habits. Reports of thick, yellow nasal discharge and nasal blockage in 1992 predicted incidence of CBE/COPD: OR 2.3 (1.2-4.2) and 1.8 (1.1-2.8) respectively. Moreover, nasal symptoms provoked by exposure to damp/cold air and tobacco smoke predicted CBE/COPD: OR 3.4 (1.9-6.0) and 2.5 (1.4-4.2). Nasal itching and nasal symptoms provoked by exposure to grass pollen and furred animals predicted incidence of asthma. These results suggest that certain nasal symptoms and nasal symptom-provoking exposures, different from those commonly associated with asthma, may predict increased risk of developing CBE/COPD. This supports the possibility of nasal co-morbidity in COPD.

Familial risks for common diseases: etiologic clues and guidance to gene identification

Familial clustering of a disease is a direct indicator of a possible heritable cause, provided that environmental sharing can be excluded. If the familial clustering is lacking, the likelihood of a heritable influence is also small. In the era of genome scans, the consideration of data on heritability should be important in the assessment of the likely success of the genome scan. The availability of a Multigeneration Register in Sweden provides a reliable access to families throughout the last century. This Register has been extensively used to study a number of different diseases through linkage to the Hospital Discharge Register. In the present article we review the obtained and some unpublished results for nine main disease classes. For each of these, familial risks are given for four disease subtypes. As measures of familial clustering we use risks between siblings, twins and spouses. Disease correlation between spouses suggests environmental sharing and a higher correlation between siblings and particularly twins shows heritable effects. We will also comment on the established susceptibility genes and the risks conferred by them. The data suggest high heritabilities for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, noninfective enteritis and colitis, cerebral palsy and endocrine and metabolic diseases. Among the performed first-generation genome scans on various diseases, the success appears to be related to the a priori heritability estimates. To our knowledge this is a first attempt to summarize familial risks for a large number of diseases using data from a single population on which reasonable uniform diagnostic criteria have been applied.

Prevalence of nutritional depletion in a large out-patient population of patients with COPD

OBJECTIVE

The present study focuses on the prevalence of nutritional depletion in relation to functional performance, airflow limitation, experienced dyspnoea and health status in a large multi-center out-patient population with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS

In 39 out-patient centers in The Netherlands, 389 patients with moderate to severe COPD (217 men) were recruited. The study evaluated on the baseline characteristics of the COSMIC study. Measurements included body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis, dyspnoea by MRC-score, peripheral muscle function by isometric handgrip strength and disease-specific health status by St. George Respiratory Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The prevalence of nutritional depletion (defined as body mass index (BMI)<or=21 kg/m2 and/or fat-free mass index (FFMI)<or=15 (females) or <or=16 (males) kg/m2) was high (27%). Prevalence of normal BMI and low FFMI was 15%, and of low BMI and low FFMI 11%. The prevalence of low BMI as well as low FFMI was significantly higher in female than in male COPD patients, 18% and 40% vs. 10% and 20%, respectively (both P<0.01). No differences in FEV1%predicted, dyspnoea score and health status were observed between depleted and non-depleted COPD patients. Multiple linear regression analysis in the total group showed that handgrip strength correlated with FFMI after correction for sex distribution and age, but not FEV1%predicted.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of nutritional depletion was high in a large out-patient COPD population in The Netherlands, especially in female COPD patients. Depletion of FFM was associated with impaired peripheral muscle strength, independent of disease severity.

Prevalence of Hand Eczema in an Adult Swedish Population and the Relationship to Risk Occupation and Smoking

Using a postal questionnaire the prevalence of hand eczema was determined in a general population of 11,798 individuals aged 20-77 years who were randomly drawn from the population records. The response rate was 78.1%. One-year prevalence of hand eczema among women varied between 1.9% and 10.8%, with the highest figure among those aged 30-39 years. The corresponding figures for men were 2.3% and 5.6%, with the highest figure among those aged 20-29 years. Lifetime prevalence varied between 5.7% and 16.7% among women and between 5.2% and 9.5% among men. Using multiple logistic regression analysis female sex (OR=1.91, 95% CI 1.47-2.47) and smoking (OR=1.35, 95% CI 1.04-1.75) were independent risk factors for reporting 1-year prevalence of hand eczema, whereas age (OR=0.99, 95% CI 0.97-0.99) was inversely related to the 1-year prevalence of hand eczema. Aggregated risk occupation or categorized occupation such as medical and nursing work, production or service were not significantly associated with 1-year prevalence of hand eczema.

Alcohol-induced upper airway symptoms: prevalence and co-morbidity

Little is known about effects of alcohol intake on the upper, nasal airways. The present aim was to examine the prevalence of alcohol-induced nasal symptoms (ANS) and to explore associations between ANS and other respiratory diseases. A postal questionnaire focused on respiratory diseases and symptoms was sent to 11,933 randomly selected adult individuals. Subjects with ANS, n = 316 (3.4%) received a second questionnaire focusing on this condition. Nine thousand three hundred and sixteen (78%) subjects answered the first and 228 (72%) the second questionnaire. Two-thirds of the subjects with ANS were women. Red wine and white wine were the most frequent triggers of ANS, reported by 83% and 31% of the subjects, respectively. Nasal blockage was the most prominent symptom, but also sneezing, nasal discharge, as well as lower airway symptoms occurred after intake of alcoholic drinks. Self-reported physician's diagnoses of asthma, chronic bronchitis/emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as allergic rhinitis were more common in subjects with ANS compared with the general population (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). In conclusion, ANS are common and are about twice as frequent in women than in men. ANS seem to be associated with important respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, COPD, and allergic rhinitis.