RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Up to 20% of respiratory symptoms in Sweden are attributable to smoking
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P4214
VO 42
IS Suppl 57
A1 Helena Backman
A1 Linnea Hedman
A1 Sven-Arne Jansson
A1 Anne Lindberg
A1 Bo Lundbäck
A1 Eva Rönmark
YR 2013
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P4214.abstract
AB Background Smoking is a well known risk factor for respiratory symptoms, and changes in smoking habits may affect respiratory health in the society.Aim To estimate the population attributable risk (PAR) of smoking on respiratory symptoms and asthma among adults in 1996 and 2006.Methods In 1996, 7104 randomly selected subjects aged 20-69 in Northern Sweden was sent a postal questionnaire including questions about respiratory diseases, symptoms and smoking habits, and 85% responded. In 2006 a new sample of 6165 subjects in the same ages received the postal questionnaire, and 77% responded.Results The prevalence of smoking decreased significantly from 27% to 19% as did most respiratory symptoms. The decrease was most pronounced for bronchitis symptoms; sputum production decreased from 19.1% to 15.0%, and longstanding cough 12.4% to 10.8%. Also recurrent wheeze decreased, from 13.4 to12.1%, while a physician-diagnosed asthma increased significantly from 9.4% to 11.6%. All respiratory symptoms were strongly related to smoking. The PAR of smoking ranged from 10% to 14% for sputum and cough with no major changes between 1996 and 2006. PAR was highest for wheeze, 23% (1996) and 18% (2006), but was not related to asthma. The PAR tended to decrease for most symptoms.Conclusions The prevalence of smoking and respiratory symptoms decreased from 1996 to 2006. The proportion of respiratory symptoms in the population attributable to smoking was 10-20%. Smoking prevention and smoking cessation are important targets for the respiratory health in the society.