scholarly journals Asthma increased in young adults from 2008–2016 despite stable allergic rhinitis and reduced smoking

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253322
Author(s):  
Styliana Vasileiadou ◽  
Linda Ekerljung ◽  
Anders Bjerg ◽  
Emma Goksör

Background Studies have produced inconsistent results on prevalence trends in asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). We surveyed young adults about asthma in 2008 and 2016 and examined the impact of gender, AR and smoking. Methods Thirty-thousand randomly selected subjects aged 16–75 years in Western Sweden received postal questionnaires in 2008 and 50,000 in 2016. This study is based on responders aged 16–25 years, 2,143 in 2008 and 2,484 in 2016. Results From 2008–2016 current asthma increased from 9.3% to 11.5% (p = 0.014) and was significant in males without AR (aOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.09–3.07) and male smokers (aOR 3.02, 95% CI 1.12–8.13). In both years the risk of current asthma was reduced by growing up on a farm (aOR 0.26, 95% CI 0.81–0.84 and aOR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23–0.996), independent of a family history of asthma or allergy. AR did not differ significantly from 2008–2016 (22.5% vs 24.4%, p = 0.144). Current smoking decreased from 20.3% to 15.2% (p<0.001), especially in females (23.5% to 16.2%, p<0.001). Female smokers started smoking later and smoked fewer cigarettes in 2016 than 2008. In 2016, 4.8% of the cohort reported using electronic cigarettes. Of those, 60.7% also smoked tobacco and more than two-thirds who used both (67.2%) were heavy smokers. Conclusion Current asthma increased in respondents aged 16–25 from 2008–2016, mainly among males without AR and male smokers. Current AR levelled off in this young population, while current smoking decreased among females.

Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meshan Lehmann ◽  
Matthew R. Hilimire ◽  
Lawrence H. Yang ◽  
Bruce G. Link ◽  
Jordan E. DeVylder

Abstract. Background: Self-esteem is a major contributor to risk for repeated suicide attempts. Prior research has shown that awareness of stigma is associated with reduced self-esteem among people with mental illness. No prior studies have examined the association between self-esteem and stereotype awareness among individuals with past suicide attempts. Aims: To understand the relationship between stereotype awareness and self-esteem among young adults who have and have not attempted suicide. Method: Computerized surveys were administered to college students (N = 637). Linear regression analyses were used to test associations between self-esteem and stereotype awareness, attempt history, and their interaction. Results: There was a significant stereotype awareness by attempt interaction (β = –.74, p = .006) in the regression analysis. The interaction was explained by a stronger negative association between stereotype awareness and self-esteem among individuals with past suicide attempts (β = –.50, p = .013) compared with those without attempts (β = –.09, p = .037). Conclusion: Stigma is associated with lower self-esteem within this high-functioning sample of young adults with histories of suicide attempts. Alleviating the impact of stigma at the individual (clinical) or community (public health) levels may improve self-esteem among this high-risk population, which could potentially influence subsequent suicide risk.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeina Akiki ◽  
Danielle Saadeh ◽  
Rita Farah ◽  
Souheil Hallit ◽  
Hala Sacre ◽  
...  

Abstract Background No national research has yet explored the prevalence of asthma among adults in Lebanon. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma and current asthma, and their determinants among Lebanese adults 16 years old or above. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out using a multistage cluster sampling. The questionnaire used collected information on asthma, respiratory symptoms, and risk factors. Results The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 6.7% (95% CI 5–8.7%), and that of current asthma was 5% (95% CI 3.6–6.9%). Chronic symptoms such as cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath were worst at night. Factors positively associated with physician-diagnosed asthma were a secondary educational level (adjusted OR, aOR = 4.45), a family history of chronic respiratory diseases (aOR = 2.78), lung problems during childhood (15.9), and allergic rhinitis (4.19). Additionally, consuming fruits and vegetables less than once per week (3.36), a family history of chronic respiratory diseases (3.92), lung problems during childhood (9.43), and allergic rhinitis (8.12) were positively associated with current asthma. Conclusions The prevalence of asthma was within the range reported from surrounding countries. However, repeated cross-sectional studies are necessary to evaluate trends in asthma prevalence in the Lebanese population.


Author(s):  
I. Lisetska ◽  
M. Rozhko

Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of dental diseases is remaining high among the population. It is known that the pathogenesis of dental diseases is strongly associated with smoking. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is an important factor in the prevention of dental diseases. Therefore, the question of studying the impact of smoking on the oral hygiene status in adolescents and young adults is quite relevant as it can promote further development of more effective preventive measures. The aim of the study is to examine the effect of smoking on the oral hygiene parameters in adolescents and young adults. Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (Green-Vermillion, 1964) was applied to assess the oral hygiene status in 114 adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 years, who were divided into groups: group I included 26 people who smoked traditional cigarettes on regular basis; group II included 22 people who smoked electronic cigarettes (Vapes); group III involved 23 people who used to smoke tobacco heating devices (IQOS); group IV included 43 non-smokers. The subjects of group I were found to have an unsatisfactory oral hygiene status, their OHI-S index was equal to 1.77 ± 0.02 scores. The subjects of group II demonstrated 1, 53±0, 01 scores, and the subjects of group III – 1.46±0.02 scores that corresponds to a satisfactory level of hygiene. The subjects of group IV, whose oral hygiene status was also satisfactory, had 0.87±0.03 scores. The study has shown that the state of oral hygiene is affected by smoking of traditional cigarettes or alternative smoking devices and smoking duration. Therefore, much attention should be paid and more efforts should be applied to promote smoking cessation and to elaborate the algorithm of medical and preventive dental care for those who is still smoking.


2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. 1000-1008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Hoong Goh ◽  
Juman Abdulelah Dujaili ◽  
Ali Qais Blebil ◽  
Syed Imran Ahmed

Objectives: In recent years, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or e-cigarettes appear to be gaining in popularity despite controversy over their health effects and public health impacts. This paper is the first in Malaysia to assess sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics associated with ENDS awareness, perceptions and use among students enrolled in health science programmes. Design: Online self-reported use and perceptions of ENDS were assessed using a cross-sectional design. Setting: The study was conducted at the International Medical University, Malaysia. Method: An anonymous Internet-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among a cohort of 404 undergraduate students at International Medical University, Malaysia, in September 2016. Data were collected over a period of 6 weeks. A 31-question web-based survey was developed to assess sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics associated with ENDS awareness, perceptions and use. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of a set of predictors on e-cigarette use. Results: Almost 95% of respondents were aware of e-cigarettes, 13.8% reported ever-use and students had varied perceptions towards e-cigarettes. Characteristics associated with greater likelihood of ever-use included gender, ethnicity and parents educational level. Other correlates included prior conventional cigarette smoking, prior hookah smoking, parents’ tobacco use and higher sensation-seeking behaviour total score. Conclusion: In this sample of young adults, e-cigarette awareness was high and ever-use was evident especially among ever cigarette smokers. Nearly half of ever-users had not used an e-cigarette in the past 30 days of the survey and mostly reported flavoured over unflavoured e-cigarette use. These findings highlight the importance of e-cigarette surveillance and health promotion interventions targeting young adults.


1982 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara M. Baker ◽  
Claude D. Baker ◽  
Ha Thanh Le

This study details vocal quality, articulation errors, and hearing disorders in 80 children and young adults with diagnosed allergies. Results indicated that almost 50 % had abnormalities in vocal quality and/or articulation and 13% had reduced auditory acuity. Vocal quality disorders showed a significant relationship to bronchial asthma in association with other allergic reactions. All subjects with diminished hearing had allergic rhinitis either singly or in combination with another disorder. Findings suggest that bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis are related to the development of vocal quality disorders and that allergic rhinitis is associated with misarticulations and diminished hearing. The presence of speech sound omissions in allergic rhinitis patients above age 8 may predict the presence or previous history of fluctuating hearing loss.


Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 766
Author(s):  
T.-S. (Keith) Tung ◽  
S. (Rosa) Wong ◽  
Hing-Wai Tsang ◽  
T. (Gilbert) Chua ◽  
Y.-T. (Dicky) Chan ◽  
...  

Atopic diseases can impose a significant burden on children and adolescents. Telomere length is a cellular marker of aging reflecting the impact of cumulative stress exposure on individual health. Since elevated oxidative stress and inflammation burden induced by chronic atopy and snoring may impact telomere length, this study aimed to investigate whether snoring would moderate the relationship between atopic diseases and telomere length in early adolescence. We surveyed 354 adolescents and their parents. Parents reported the adolescents’ history of atopic diseases, recent snoring history as well as other family sociodemographic characteristics. Buccal swab samples were also collected from the adolescents for telomere length determination. Independent and combined effects of atopic diseases and snoring on telomere length were examined. Among the surveyed adolescents, 174 were reported by parents to have atopic diseases (20 had asthma, 145 had allergic rhinitis, 53 had eczema, and 25 had food allergy). Shorter TL was found in participants with a history of snoring and atopic diseases (β = −0.34, p = 0.002) particularly for asthma (β = −0.21, p = 0.007) and allergic rhinitis (β = −0.22, p = 0.023). Our findings suggest that snoring in atopic patients has important implications for accelerated telomere shortening. Proper management of atopic symptoms at an early age is important for the alleviation of long-term health consequences at the cellular level.


Author(s):  
Uttam Kumar ◽  
Om Prakash Sharma ◽  
Jaswant Goyal ◽  
Saryu Sain ◽  
Barkha Gupta ◽  
...  

Background: Young adults are failed to observe in studies on impact of high blood pressure as they are esteemed to be at a low risk of developing the complication or disease. Study of disease prevalence and their relation with life style habits provide the information required to develop interventional strategies. The objectives were to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among young adults in Jaipur district, Rajasthan and to study the impact of life style habits like tobacco use and alcohol consumption on hypertension.Methods: Data were collected from 390 college students aged 18 years and older in selected degree college by a cross-sectional survey. Blood pressure recordings, anthropometric measurements as well as socio-demographic characteristics were collected.Results: High blood pressure was observed in 152 out of the 390 students (38.97%), of which the 20 (5.13%) are hypertensive, majority were newly diagnosed (65%). Prevalence of high blood pressure among male students was higher (40.29% compared to 37.5% among female students). Out of total 33.85% and 5.12 % of the students were found to pre-hypertensive and hypertensive respectively. Prevalence of hypertension was found higher among those with a history of smoking or alcohol consumption.Conclusions: Majority of students with high blood pressure (hypertensive stage) were previously undiagnosed. A large number of students were in pre-hypertensive stage. Their early identification and right intervention at right time will lessen the impact of high blood pressure in productive age.


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