The effect of smoking on lung function: a clinical study of adult-onset asthma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of smoking on lung function decline in adult-onset asthma in a clinical, 12-year follow-up study.In the Seinäjoki Adult Asthma Study, 203 patients were followed for 12 years (1999-2013) after diagnosis of new-onset adult asthma. Patients were divided into two groups based on smoking history: <10 or ≥10 pack-years.

Comorbidities and elevated IL-6 associate with negative outcome in adult-onset asthma.

The effect of systemic inflammation and comorbidities on treatment and outcome of adult-onset asthma remains unknown and is the objective of this study.As part of the Seinäjoki Adult Asthma Study (SAAS) with a 12-year follow-up, serum interleukin (IL)-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and lung function were measured and clinical information on comorbidities and medication collected from 170 patients with adult-onset asthma without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.At follow-up visit, 54% of the patients had systemic inflammation as indicated by elevated IL-6 or hsCRP, 58% had at least one comorbidity and 30% at least two comorbidities (other than asthma related).

A 12-year prognosis of adult-onset asthma: Seinäjoki Adult Asthma Study.

Rationale: Long-term prognosis of adult-onset asthma is poorly known.

Objective: To evaluate 12-year prognosis of adult-onset asthma and the factors associated with disease prognosis.

Methods: Seinäjoki Adult-onset Asthma Study (SAAS) is a 12-year real-life single-center follow-up study of new-onset asthma diagnosed at adult age and treated in primary and specialized care.

The role of job satisfaction, job dissatisfaction and demographic factors on physicians' intentions to switch work sector from public to private.

This study is based on a unique data set for the years 1988-2003 and uses structural equation models to examine the impact of job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction on physicians' intention to switch from public- to private-sector work. In Finland, physicians who work primarily in a public-hospital or health-centre setting can also run a private practice. Therefore, we also analysed the impact of having a private practice on a physician's intention to change sector.

Factors associated with physicians' choice of working sector: a national longitudinal survey in Finland.

Objective: To analyse factors affecting physicians' choice to work in either the public or the private sector.

Method: We undertook a longitudinal data analysis in the years 1988, 1993, 1998 and 2003 (n = 12 909) using a multilevel modelling technique. Factors related to economic factors, physician identity, appreciation as well as demographic factors were hypothesised to influence sector choice.