F. Madsen

The link between allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma: A prospective population‐based study. The Copenhagen Allergy Study

Background: It has been hypothesized that allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma are manifestations of the same disease entity. We aimed to investigate the relationship between allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma.

Allergic contact sensitization in an adult Danish population: two cross-sectional surveys eight years apart (the Copenhagen Allergy Study).

In 1990 and 1998 15-41-year-old people were patch-tested in 2 cross-sectional studies of random samples of the population in the western part of Copenhagen County, Denmark. In 1990, 290 subjects and in 1998, 469 subjects were patch-tested. The participation rates were 69% and 51%, respectively. Contact sensitivity to one or more haptens was found in 15.9% and 18.6% in 1990 and 1998, respectively. Nickel sensitivity is still the most common contact sensitivity. The risk of contact sensitivity to the cosmetic-related haptens included in the series (formaldehyde was not included) increased significantly from 2.4% in 1990 to 5.8% in 1998 (odds ratio 2.44, 95% confidence interval 1.04-5.73). The prevalence of contact sensitivity to cosmetic-related allergens has been doubled between 1990 and 1998.

The prevalence of skin-test-positive allergic rhinitis in Danish adults: two cross-sectional surveys 8 years apart. The Copenhagen Allergy Study.

Background:u2002It is disputed whether increases in self‐reported respiratory allergy represent a true increase or merely increased recognition. We aimed to investigate whether the prevalence of skin‐prick‐test (SPT)‐positive allergic rhinitis had increased in an adult general population in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Mucosal symptoms elicited by fragrance products in a population‐based sample in relation to atopy and bronchial hyper‐reactivity

Background Exposure to perfume and fragrance products may, in some individuals, cause symptoms from the eyes and airways. The localization, character and risk factors of such symptoms in the general population are unknown.

Smoking and the development of allergic sensitization to aeroallergens in adults : a prospective population-based study. The Copenhagen Allergy Study

Background: u2002Several cross‐sectional population‐based studies have reported a negative association between smoking and allergic sensitization to aeroallergens. In a prospective study, we investigated the association between smoking and the development (incidence) of allergic sensitization as reflected by skin prick test (SPT) positivity and specific IgE positivity.

Factors related to allergic sensitization to aeroallergens in a cross‐sectional study in adults: The Copenhagen Allergy Study

Background The factors underlying recent increases in the prevalence of respiratory allergy are largely unknown.

Increasing prevalence of allergic rhinitis symptoms in an adult Danish population

There is evidence that the prevalence of respiratory allergy is increasing. This is mainly based on studies in children and young adults. The aim of the study was to compare the prevalences of self‐reported symptoms of respiratory allergy among Danish adults in two surveys 8 years apart. Identical questionnaires were mailed to two random general population samples in 1989 and 1997. The response rates were 86.1% (n=3603) and 86.4% (n=817), respectively. The sampling frame and sampling method were identical in both surveys. The changes in the prevalences of symptoms were expressed by sex‐ and age‐adjusted odds ratios comparing 1997 to 1989. We found a significant increase in the prevalence of seasonal rhinitis symptoms (OR=1.6, 95% CI 1.4–1.9), rhinitis symptoms on exposure to pollen (OR=1.6, 95% CI 1.4–1.9), rhinitis symptoms on exposure to furry animals (odds ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.3–2.0), rhinitis symptoms on exposure to house dust (OR=1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.6), and breathlessness on exposure to pollen (OR=1.5, 95% CI 1.0–2.0). The observed increases were independent of sex and age. The questionnaire was validated in relation to allergen skin test reactivity in a subgroup of the responders to the 1989 survey. When the estimated associations between symptoms and skin test reactivity were considered, the results suggested an increase in allergy to pollen and animal dander. In conclusion, we found evidence of increased prevalence of allergic rhinitis symptoms associated with skin test reactivity.

The relationship of alcohol consumption to total immunoglobulin E and the development of immunoglobulin E sensitization: the Copenhagen Allergy Study

Background Several studies in patient populations have reported a positive association between alcohol consumption and serum total IgE. Furthermore, we have previously reported a positive association between alcohol consumption and the prevalence of skin prick test (SPT positivity) to inhalant allergens in a population‐based cross‐sectional study.

Have Oral Contraceptives Reduced the Prevalence of Acne? A Population-Based Study of Acne vulgaris, Tobacco Smoking and Oral Contraceptives

Background: The prevalence of acne among adolescents appears to vary geographically. This study was therefore undertaken to describe the prevalence rate of acne among Danish adolescents and to study the possible influence of oral contraceptives (OC) and tobacco smoking on disease prevalence and severity. Both have been suggested to influence acne and are therefore potential confounders in studies of acne prevalence. Methods: A random sample of 186 15- to 22-year-old subjects participating in a population-based study of allergic diseases in Copenhagen County were also examined for acne. Questionnaire data on demographic variables, acne problems, smoking status and use of OC were recorded, and acne was graded according to the Leeds scale. Results: The prevalence of clinical acne (Leeds score >1) was 40.7% for men and 23.8% for women (odds ratio, OR, acne vs. no acne: 0.46, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.24–0.85). Acne was perceived as a personal problem by 37.6% of all subjects, and this was associated with clinical acne (OR: 5.5, 95% CI: 2.7–10.9). The use of OC was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of acne (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.11–0.86), while the use of tobacco smoking was not significantly associated with acne (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.17–1.78). Conclusion: In congruence with recent reports from other countries, the prevalence rate of acne among adolescents was found to be lower than previously described in older reports. In this population, the use of OC was associated with a lower prevalence of acne.

Chronic asthma and chiropractic spinal manipulation: a randomized clinical trial.

The purpose of this randomized patient‐ and observer‐blinded cross‐over trial was to evaluate the efficacy of chiropractic treatment in the management of chronic asthma when combined with pharmaceutical maintenance therapy. The trial was conducted at the National University Hospitals Out‐patient Clinic in Copenhagen, Denmark. Thirty‐one patients aged 18–44 years participated, all suffering from chronic asthma controlled by bronchodilators and/or inhaled steroids. Patients, or who had received chiropractic treatment for asthma within the last 5 years, who received oral steroids and immunotherapy, were not eligible. Patients were randomized to receive either active chiropractic spinal manipulative treatment or sham chiropractic spinal manipulative treatment twice weekly for 4 weeks, and then crossed over to the alternative treatment for another 4 weeks. Both phases were preceded and followed by a 2‐week period without chiropractic treatment. The main outcome measurements were forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), daily use of inhaled bronchodilators, patient‐rated asthma severity and non‐specific bronchial reactivity (n‐BR). Using the cross‐over analysis, no clinically important or statistically significant differences were found between the active and sham chiropractic interventions on any of the main or secondary outcome measures. Objective lung function did not change during the study, but over the course of the study, non‐specific bronchial hyperreactivity (n‐BR) improved by 36% (P= 0.01) and patient‐rated asthma severity decreased by 34% (P= 0.0002) compared with the baseline values. The results do not support the hypothesis that chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy is superior to sham spinal manipulation in the management of pharmaceutically controlled chronic asthma in adults when administered twice weekly for 4 weeks.