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Published on: April 21, 2022
Chronic mucus hypersecretion: prevalence and risk factors in younger individuals
L Harmsen1, S F Thomsen, T Ingebrigtsen
1Respiratory and Allergy Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine L, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg, Denmark. l.harmsen@dadlnet.dk
Setting:
Chronic mucus hypersecretion (CMH) is a common condition in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Little is known about the incidence, prevalence and determinants of CMH in younger individuals.
Objective:
To determine prevalence, incidence and risk factors for CMH in a young general population.
Design:
A cohort of Danish twins (aged 12-41 years) was prospectively examined using questionnaires in 1994 (n = 29 180) and in 2002 (n = 21 130). Prevalence and incidence of CMH were determined, and risk factors for the condition were assessed using logistic regression.
Results:
Lifetime prevalence of CMH was 8.6% in females and 6.9% in males in 1994, and the cumulative incidence among females and males was respectively 10.7% and 8.7% during the study period. Smoking and asthma were risk factors for CMH, with a dose-response effect of tobacco consumption, and smoking habits also predicting incidence of CMH.
Conclusion:
Among the young, CMH is a condition related to asthma and smoking, with a dose-response relationship with tobacco consumption and a relation between smoking habits and incidence. Female susceptibility to development of CMH was observed, as well as signs of greater susceptibility related to young age.
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