Reference values of spirometry for Finnish adults.

Background: Diagnostic assessment of lung function necessitates up-to-date reference values. The aim of this study was to estimate reference values for spirometry for the Finnish population between 18 and 80 years and to compare them with the existing Finnish, European and the recently published global GLI2012 reference values.

Methods: Spirometry was performed for 1380 adults in the population-based FinEsS studies and for 662 healthy non-smoking volunteer adults.

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in a population of north Finland with no previous diagnosis of asthma or chronic bronchitis assessed with histamine and methacholine tests.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in a population of north Finland among subjects with no previous diagnosis of asthma or chronic bronchitis by using histamine and methacholine challenges. The agreement between the methods was also evaluated.

Study Design: An epidemiological study assessing the prevalence of BHR measured with 2 direct dosimetric challenge methods.

Impacts of cold climate on human heat balance, performance and health in circumpolar areas.

In circumpolar areas the climate remains cool or thermoneutral during the majority of the days of the year spite of global warming. Therefore, health consequences related to cold exposure represent also in the future the majority of climate-related adverse health effects. Hot summers may be an exception.

Spirometry values in adults in northern Finland.

Objectives: If reference values do not accurately reflect the distribution of lung function in the population, the interpretation of spirometry results may be incorrect. Differences in lung function exist between populations, which supports the use of local reference values. In Finland, the national reference values for spirometry are currently in use.

Does living in a cold climate or recreational skiing increase the risk for obstructive respiratory diseases or symptoms?

Objectives: Respiratory symptoms and obstructive pulmonary diseases experienced during exercise and in cold weather were analysed in a large postal questionnaire study of a general adult population living in a cold climate. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of shortness of breath (SOB) during exercise, or in cold weather, and to find out if the risks (odds ratio=OR) for asthma, chronic bronchitis, or SOB during exercise, or in cold weather, were affected by recreational cross-country skiing, or by outdoor work in a cold climate.

Results: Of the 7937 invited persons, 84% responded; 876 of them were outdoor workers and 1497 were recreational cross-country skiers.

Respiratory symptoms and asthma in relation to cold climate, inhaled allergens, and irritants: a comparison between northern and southern Finland.

We have compared data from northern and southern Finland in a large epidemiological survey on respiratory conditions. The aim was to compare the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, asthma, and chronic bronchitis in northern and southern Finland. The study was a part of comparative studies in Finland, Estonia, and Sweden, the FinEsS studies.

Does non-responder bias have a significant effect on the results in a postal questionnaire study?

Background And Aim: In epidemiological questionnaire studies results can be influenced by non-responder bias. However, in respiratory epidemiology this has been analysed in very few recently published papers. The aim of our paper is to assess if the results found in our previous postal questionnaire study in an adult population in Northern Finland were biased by non-response.

Smoking, respiratory symptoms, and diseases : a comparative study between northern Sweden and northern Finland: report from the FinEsS study.

Study Objectives: The influences of different smoking categories on the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, asthma, and chronic bronchitis have been examined in the most northern province of Sweden, Norrbotten, and in Lapland, Finland. The two areas have similar geographic and demographic conditions.

Methods And Study Population: The study is a part of the FinEsS studies, which are epidemiologic respiratory surveys in progress in Sweden, Finland, and Estonia.

Dependence of cold-related coronary and respiratory symptoms on age and exposure to cold.

Cold causes cardiopulmonary stress often perceived as shortness of breath or chest pain, and causes exacerbation of these symptoms in persons suffering heart or lung disease. We investigated the prevalence of these symptoms and their association with sex, age and cold exposure in a population-based sample of 1,785 persons who lived in three areas of Finland. The exposure to cold was measured by the annual number cold days (mean daily temperature below 0 degree C) in the resident locality and weekly hours spent in the cold in winter.

Increase of asthma in adults in northern Finland?--a report from the FinEsS study.

Background: According to previous studies, the prevalence of asthma has been lower in Finland than in other Nordic countries. In the present study, we assessed the prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms in northern Finland and calculated risk factors for these conditions.

Methods: In November 1995, 7937 randomly selected subjects, 20-69 years of age, in northern Finland were invited to participate in a postal questionnaire survey.

Increasing prevalence of asthma but not of chronic bronchitis in Finland? Report from the FinEsS-Helsinki Study.

To assess the prevalence of asthma, chronic bronchitis and respiratory symptoms, and to calculate risk factors for them, we performed a postal survey in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. During the spring of 1996, questionnaires were mailed to a random sample of 8000 individuals aged 20-69. The total response rate was 76%, with 6062 complete answers.

Comparison of terbutaline Turbuhaler and albuterol chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) inhaler in middle-aged and elderly patients with obstructive lung disease.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of terbutaline Turbuhaler (0.5 mg qid) with that of albuterol chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) inhaler (0.2 mg qid) in middle-aged and elderly patients with obstructive lung disease.

Inhaled bronchodilator's in asthma: low or high dose?

We studied the effect of regular inhalations of low-dose and high-dose fenoterol and low-dose and high-dose combinations of fenoterol and ipratropium bromide in maintenance treatment of 120 adults with moderately severe asthma. We used a double-blind, randomized, parallel group design comparing 12 weeks of treatment with four regimens: fenoterol, 100 micrograms/dose; fenoterol, 200 micrograms/dose; fenoterol, 50 micrograms; and ipratropium, 20 micrograms/dose in a single inhaler (Berodual) and fenoterol, 100 micrograms and ipratropium, 40 micrograms/dose in a single inhaler (Duovent). During the baseline and active treatment period the patients recorded PEFR in the morning and evening, symptoms and use of a rescue inhaler.