INTRODUCTION Over the last three decades the prevalence of respiratory diseases has been increasing worldwide thus increasing economic burden on the healthcare system. Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of asthma in West European countries ranges from 6-9%, while of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) is 8.0% worldwide. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to estimate the p...

OBJECTIVES We sought to elucidate the long-term association of tobacco use and respiratory health in designated pollution victims with and without obstructive pulmonary defects. DESIGN A retrospective cross-sectional study. SETTING The register of pollution victims in Kurashiki, Japan. PARTICIPANTS 730 individuals over 65 years of age previously diagnosed with pollution-related respirator...

INTRODUCTION Studies of the health effects of moist oral tobacco, snus, have produced inconsistent results. The main objective of this study is to examine the health effects of snus use on asthma, respiratory symptoms and sleep-related problems, a field that has not been investigated before. METHODS AND MATERIAL This cross-sectional study was based on a postal questionnaire completed by 26 69...

INTRODUCTION  Studies to understand the vocal profile of a population are important to plan collective health measures. The prevalence of vocal symptoms can be indicative of vocal disorder and must be investigated to support measures to prevent vocal diseases. AIM  To characterize vocal symptoms in college students and their possible causes, and to analyze the association between hoarseness, ...

OBJECTIVES In the cotton industry of Pakistan, 15 million people are employed and exposed to cotton dust, toxic chemicals, noise and physical hazards. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of health symptoms, particularly respiratory symptoms, and to measure cotton dust and endotoxin levels in different textile factories of Faisalabad, Pakistan. METHODS A cross-sectional inves...

Accepted 19 June 1995 Abstract Objectives-The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among pig farmers is known to be high, but the aetiology of these symptoms is not yet unravelled. Long term average exposure to dust was evaluated, endotoxins and ammonia and use of disinfectants were compared with chronic respiratory symptoms and depressed base line lung function. Methods-A cross sectional...

OBJECTIVES The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among pig farmers is known to be high, but the aetiology of these symptoms is not yet unravelled. Long term average exposure to dust was evaluated, endotoxins and ammonia and use of disinfectants were compared with chronic respiratory symptoms and depressed base line lung function. METHODS A cross sectional study was performed among 19...