The relation of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) to chronic bronchitis and mortality over two decades.

Introduction: Our aim was to describe how the prevalence of subjects exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has changed from 1992 to 2012 in Finland. We also investigated the association between ETS and chronic bronchitis and cause-specific and all-cause mortality.

Methods: The study population is composed of 38 494 subjects aged 25-74 years who participated in the National FINRISK Study between 1992 and 2012.

30-year trends in asthma and the trends in relation to hospitalization and mortality.

Introduction: The present study examines how trends in the prevalence of asthma during the past three decades associate with hospitalization and mortality during the same period.

Methods: Altogether 54 320 subjects aged 25-74 years were examined in seven independent cross-sectional population surveys repeated every five years between 1982 and 2012 in Finland. The study protocol included a standardized questionnaire on self-reported asthma, smoking habits and other risk factors, and clinical measurements at the study site.

Chronic bronchitis in relation to hospitalization and mortality over three decades.

Background: The study examines the predictive value of chronic bronchitis for all cause and cause-specific hospitalizations and for mortality during the last three decades.

Methods: The study population consists of altogether 47 896 men and women aged 25-74 years who participated in the National FINRISK Study between 1982 and 2007. The study protocol included a standardized questionnaire on the symptoms of chronic bronchitis, smoking habits and other risk factors and clinical measurements at the study site.

Twenty-five year trends in prevalence of chronic bronchitis and the trends in relation to smoking.

Introduction: The present study examines how the trends in the prevalence of chronic bronchitis during the last three decades associate with changes in smoking habits during the same period.

Methods: Altogether 47 896 subjects aged 25-74 years were examined in six independent cross-sectional population surveys repeated every five years between 1982 and 2007 in Finland. The presence of chronic bronchitis, smoking habits and other risk factors were measured by standard questionnaires.

Smoking: relationship to chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and mortality.

Purpose Of Review: To describe the recent findings concerning the relationship between smoking, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and mortality.

Recent Findings: During their lifetime, over 40% of smokers develop chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is associated with an accelerated decline in lung function - a risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and mortality.

Thirty-year cumulative incidence of chronic bronchitis and COPD in relation to 30-year pulmonary function and 40-year mortality: a follow-up in middle-aged rural men.

Purpose: To describe the 30-year cumulative incidence of chronic bronchitis and COPD in relation to smoking habits. The effect of chronic bronchitis on pulmonary function and mortality was also examined.

Methods: Middle-aged men belonging to two rural Finnish cohorts of the Seven Countries Study (n = 1,711 in 1959) were followed up for up to 40 years until 2000.

Delaying decline in pulmonary function with physical activity: a 25-year follow-up.

The importance of physical activity for health is well recognized, but little is known about the influence of physical activity on pulmonary function. We have examined whether physical activity could slow down the decline in pulmonary function among the southwestern rural Finnish cohort of the Seven Countries Study. Physical activity was estimated by kilometers walked, cycled, and skied daily.