Occupation, socioeconomic status and chronic obstructive respiratory diseases - The EpiLung study in Finland, Estonia and Sweden.

Objective: To study occupational groups and occupational exposure in association with chronic obstructive respiratory diseases.

Methods: In early 2000s, structured interviews on chronic respiratory diseases and measurements of lung function as well as fractional expiratory nitric oxide (F) were performed in adult random population samples of Finland, Sweden and Estonia. Occupations were categorized according to three classification systems.

Parallel gradients in F and in the prevalences of asthma and atopy in adult general populations of Sweden, Finland and Estonia - A Nordic EpiLung study.

The prevalence of asthma is higher in Sweden and Finland than in neighbouring eastern countries including Estonia. Corresponding difference in bronchial eosinophilic inflammation could be studied by F measurements. We aimed to compare F in adult general populations of Sweden, Finland, and Estonia, to test the plausibility of the west-east disparity hypothesis of allergic diseases.

Measurement of bronchial hyperreactivity: comparison of three Nordic dosimetric methods.

Clinical testing of bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) provides valuable information in asthma diagnostics. Nevertheless, the test results depend to a great extent on the testing procedure: test substance, apparatus and protocol. In Nordic countries, three protocols predominate in the testing field: Per Malmberg, Nieminen and Sovijärvi methods.

Cholinergic mechanisms in an organic dust model simulating an acute exacerbation in patients with COPD.

Background: Exposure in a pig barn induces airway inflammation that has similarities with the response observed in acute exacerbations in COPD.

Methods: A total of 15 smokers with COPD and 15 healthy non-smokers were exposed for 2 hours in a pig barn (in vivo exposure). Symptoms were assessed, lung function measured, and blood and sputum samples taken before and after exposure.

Comparing human respiratory adverse effects after acute exposure to particulate matter in conventional and particle-reduced swine building environments.

Objectives: To evaluate innate immunity responses, lung function and symptoms in volunteers acutely exposed to organic dust in swine buildings after installing particle separators aimed to reduce particulate matter exposure.

Methods: 11 healthy participants were exposed in 2 different facilities, with and without installed particle separators, in a cross-over design including 2-3 weeks wash-out between the 2 exposures. Size, distribution and composition of particulate matter and endotoxins in the air were measured.