%0 Journal Article %A Michael Abramson %A Sonia Kaushik %A Geza Benke %A Bruce Thompson %A Shyamali Dharmage %T Preliminary results from the laboratory phase of ECRHSIII in Melbourne %D 2013 %J European Respiratory Journal %P P986 %V 42 %N Suppl 57 %X The European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) was the largest international study of lung health in young adults.Aim: to describe changes in chronic respiratory diseases and symptom prevalence in adults as they age.Methods: 876 young adults participated in ECRHS in Melbourne in 1992. Of 722 eligible subjects, 543 (75.2%) completed postal or telephone screening questionnaires in 2012. 451 were invited for clinical testing including a more extensive interviewer administered questionnaire.Results: Of the first 48 subjects to attend the laboratory, 29 (60.4%) were female. The mean age was 57.0 (SD 4.5) years. The most common respiratory symptoms reported were shortness of breath after exertion 20 (41.7%), wheezing / chest tightness each reported by 10 (20.8%) participants, nocturnal cough 16 (33.3%), daytime cough 8 (16.7%), productive cough 4 (8.3%), nocturnal shortness of breath 3 (6.3%), shortness of breath at rest 2 (4.2%) and morning cough 2 (4.2%). Males were more likely to report nocturnal chest tightness than females (p=0.03), but there no were no other significant differences between genders. Dr diagnosed asthma was reported by 15 (31.3%); 5 (10.4%) reported an attack within the last 12 months and 8 (16.7%) were taking medication. Chronic bronchitis was reported by 8 (16.7%), but none reported a diagnosis of emphysema or COPD. Short acting beta agonists were used by 9 (18.8%) and combination LABA / steroid inhalers by 8 (16.7%).Conclusions: The cohort remains highly symptomatic, although most have not been diagnosed or treated. Longitudinal analysis of the complete data will be conducted to determine whether there have been changes in prevalence over 20 years. %U https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/42/Suppl_57/P986.full.pdf