Comparison of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function between two communities; Tecumseh (US) and Bordeaux...

Respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function and smoking habits in two adult populations, aged 20-59 years, are compared in Tecumseh (Michigan) and Bordeaux (France). Personal, demographic, and medical characteristics were ascertained by self-administered questionnaires; Forced vital capacity and Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were measured. In Tecumseh, the proportion of smokers was higher, people started to smoke earlier and the number of cigarettes per day was higher, the differences were significant. The prevalences of respiratory symptoms tended to be higher in Tecumseh than in Bordeaux although the differences did not reach statistical significance. The age-adjusted odds ratios according to smoking and socio-economic status for respiratory conditions, or relating FEV1 less than 80% predicted did not differ significantly but tended to be greater in Tecumseh. These trends might suggest a greater morbidity and/or a greater impact of risk factors in Tecumseh.