Evolution of pulmonary function in European community respiratory health survey

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the evolution of the pulmonary function in the population of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) in nine years of follow-up. Methods: The ECRHS is a longitudinal study of respiratory health, primarily about asthma and respiratory allergy, in a general adult population in Western Europe. The first study (ECRHS-I) took place in 1990-1992 in a random population sample of 20-44 years with the collaboration of 56 centers in 25 countries. The second study (ECRHS-II) included people who had participated in the ECRHS-I nine years later (2000-2002), with the collaboration of 45 centers. Results: Finally 5013 subjects were included, with a mean age of 34. Most of the sample had a BMI below 25, with more overweight in men. 7% of the sample turned from a BMI of 30 during the study, no differences in gender. In more than 95% lung function was normal with a baseline FEV1 of 3.85 liters. 40% of the subjects had never smoked, 24% stopped smoking during the study, 4% started smoking during the study and 25% were active smokers during the entire process. No differences in smoking were observed by sex. ![Figure][1] Conclusions: The development of obesity in the study was the factor that determined a greater lung function decline. The development of BHR during the study was associated with a greater lung function decline that the presence of HRB from the beginning. [1]: pending:yes