Chronic bronchitis in Icelandic males: prevalence, sleep disturbances and quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of chronic bronchitis in Iceland and some aspects of quality of life among those suffering from chronic bronchitis.


METHODS
Postal questionnaires. SETTING, SUBJECTS: All Icelandic males born in the years 1913 and 1943 who were alive on 1 November 1993. Altogether 1175 (69.7%) responded.


METHODS
Physical symptoms of chronic bronchitis, stress symptoms, symptoms of dyspnea and sleep disturbances.


RESULTS
7.1% of those 50 years old and 16.7% of those 80 years old and a history of daily sputum expectoration for at least 3 months during the preceding 2 years. These individuals with chronic bronchitis had a higher prevalence of other respiratory symptoms than did the others, such as "wheezing or whistling" (59.6% vs. 7.2%), and "awakened by breathlessness" (35.2% vs. 6.0%). Complaints of dyspnea were more common among those with symptoms of chronic bronchitis, e.g. "dyspnea when walking" (19.4% vs. 1.4%) and "stops walking because of dyspnea" (22% vs. 1.6%). They also complained more often of insomnia and daytime sleepiness and found themselves more stressed than those without chronic bronchitis. These symptoms were all more common among the 80-year-old men.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicates that chronic bronchitis is a frequent illness among Icelandic males. Men with chronic bronchitis often have decreased quality of life, difficulties in moving and frequently sleep complaints.
Magnússon
S
S
Primary Health Care Centre, Gardabaer, Iceland.
Gislason
T
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology