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Summary Aims To estimate how the level of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in pregnancy, childhood and adulthood vary with personal characteristics in a general population. Methods In 1996/1997, a community sample of 3181 adults, aged 26–82, received a mailed questionnaire, to which 2819 subjects responded. The prevalences of ETS exposure were estimated according to sex, age, educational level, smoking, occupational dust or gas exposure and exposure to moulds. Logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios for the different ETS exposures with respect to these covariates. Results Altogether 9% reported exposure to maternal smoking in foetal life and 23% in childhood. Fourteen percent reported current domestic ETS exposure, while 13% reported current occupational ETS. Occupational ETS exposure was more frequent among men (16%) than women (10%). The oldest subjects (61–82 years) reported less ETS exposures than the younger subjects. Current smokers and subjects with occupational dust or fumes exposure had a higher prevalence for all the ETS exposures compared to ex- and never smokers and subjects without occupational exposure, respectively. Conclusion From a general population sample male sex, younger age, current smoking, and occupational dust or fumes exposure were associated with higher level of ETS exposure.

Summary Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to airways infections and autoimmunity. We examined whether MBL deficiency was more common in COPD patients, and whether MBL deficiency was associated with COPD severity. 415 COPD patients and 231 healthy subjects, aged 40–75, were examined in 2006/07. Plasma MBL levels were determined by ELISA. Low or deficient MBL levels were defined as plasma levels below 500 ng/mL or 100 ng/mL respectively. Logistic regression models determined factors associated with MBL deficiency; with explanatory variables study category, sex, age, smoking, comorbid heart disease, and CRP. For COPD severity, explanatory variables were FEV1, exacerbation history, hypoxia, respiratory symptoms, inhaled steroids, and CRP. 18.2% of healthy subjects and 22.2% of patients had MBL levels below 100 ng/mL (p = 0.23); 42.9% of healthy subjects and 49.6% of patients had levels below 500 ng/mL (p = 0.10). After adjustment for co-variables, patients had an OR (95% CI) of 1.26 (0.7, 2.2) for having MBL levels below 100 ng/mL compared with healthy subjects, and an OR (95% CI) of 1.06 (0.7, 1.7) for having levels below 500 ng/mL. Among the COPD patients, none of the disease variables were associated with MBL deficiency. No association was found between MBL deficiency and COPD or COPD severity.

SummaryBackgroundPrevalence of COPD is increasing worldwide, and there is need for regularly updated estimates of COPD prevalence and risk factors.MethodsIn the Norwegian Hordaland County Cohort Study (HCCS), 1664 subjects aged 35–90 yrs answered questionnaires and performed spirometry in 2003–05. We estimated COPD prevalence and analysed risk factors for COPD with logistic regression.ResultsIn a previous study phase, prevalence of GOLD-defined COPD was 7%. Eight years later, corresponding prevalence was 14%. Seventy % of the subjects experienced respiratory symptoms. Only 1 out of 4 had a physician's diagnosis. Significant risk factors for COPD were sex, age, smoking habits and pack-years. Men had 1.7 (OR, 95% CI 1.2, 2.3) higher odds for COPD than women. Subjects above 65 yrs had 10.3 (OR, 95% CI 6.4, 16.5) times higher odds for COPD than subjects below 40 yrs. Heavy smokers had 4.2 (OR, 95% CI 2.6, 6.7) times higher odds for COPD than subjects with