Short summary

The purpose of the cohort is to assess the extent of allergic diseases across Europe's aging population and the association between severe asthma and potential risk factors and their impact on lung function over time.

Rationale

The aim of this project is to determine:

• the scale of allergic diseases throughout Europe's aging population
• the association between severe asthma and potential risk factors and the influence these have on the function of the lungs over time
• the association between the asthma severity and the hormone level, especially in postmenopausal women
• the association between the asthma severity and chronic sinusitis with production of IgE against S. aureus in the population in general
• the association between asthma, atopic cases of interest and diets in the population in general
• the association between asthma, other atopic cases and occupational exposures to cleaning agents and work environment

Furthermore our goal is to create at platform for further research in the area of asthma and allergies.

Description of the cohort

This study is part of a Pan-European survey which includes 24 centers scattered over Europe. The ground population is 5,000 randomly selected persons between the age of 15 and 75 and resident on Funen. These persons was sent a questionnaire and from the 3,362 respondents individuals was chosen for further examinations, the aim was to examine 120 persons with asthma, 120 with chronic rhinosinusitis, 40 with both diseases and 120 persons without any of the diseases. In the period from October 2008 till March 2009 367 persons was clinically examined and blood samples was drawn for analyzation.

From each person the following samples were taken: 3 EDTA stabilized (6 mL) and 5 unstabilized (5 mL) blood samples, corresponding to 3,200 samples. The samples are kept for later analyzation.

The clinical examinations consisted of the following: Skin prick test with 17 respiratory sensitizers, smell test, height, weight, waist and hip measurements, spirometry (lung function test) before and after 200 micrograms Salbutamol, blood samples, inspection of cavum oris, otoscopy, acoustic rhinometry before and after detumescence, nasal endoscopy , fiber laryngoscopy and peak nasal inspiratory flow measurement

Samples are stored for up to 10 years, and will, by agreement be made available to other researchers in the field asthma and allergies.

Data and biological material

The cohort was extracted from the Danish Civil Registration System by The Danish Board of Health and through questionnaires. Data from questionnaires, interviews and clinical examinations is stored at Department of Occupational and Enviromental Medical Clinic.

Data from the study and blood samples are also kept at the Center for GA2LEN Survey, Imperial College, London.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Ear, Nose & Neck Surgery, Odense University Hospital

• Senior Hospital Physician Anette Kjeldsen

Publications associated with the project

Asthma in adults and its association with chronic rhinosinusitis: the GA2LEN survey in Europe. / Jarvis D, Newson R, Lotvall J, Hastan D, Tomassen P, Keil T, Gjomarkaj M, Forsberg B, Gunnbjornsdottir M, Minov J, Brozek G, Dahlen SE, Toskala E, Kowalski ML, Olze H, Howarth P, Kramer U, Baelum J, Loureiro C, Kasper L, Bousquet PJ, Bousquet J, Bachert C, Fokkens W, Burney P. Allergy. 2012; 67: 91-8.

Chronic rhinosinusitis and occupational risk factors among 20- to 75-year-old Danes-A GA(2) LEN-based study. / Thilsing T, Rasmussen J, Lange B, Kjeldsen AD, Al-Kalemji A, Baelum J. American journal of industrial medicine. May 2012.

Chronic rhinosinusitis in Europe -an underestimated disease. A GA(2)LEN study. / Hastan D, Fokkens WJ, Bachert C, Newson RB, Bislimovska J, Bockelbrink A, Bousquet PJ, Brozek G, Bruno A, Dahlen SE, Forsberg B, Gunnbjornsdottir M, Kasper L, Kramer U, Kowalski ML, Lange B, Lundback B, Salagean E, Todo-Bom A, Tomassen P, Toskala E, van Drunen CM, Bousquet J, Zuberbier T, Jarvis D, Burney P. Allergy. 2011; 66: 1216-23.

The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 validated for Danish patients. / Lange B, Thilsing T, Al-kalemji A, Baelum J, Martinussen T, Kjeldsen A. DanMedBull. 2011; 58: A4235.

Reliability of EP3OS symptom criteria and nasal endoscopy in the assessment of chronic rhinosinusitis-a GA(2) LEN study. / Tomassen P, Newson RB, Hoffmans R, Lotvall J, Cardell LO, Gunnbjornsdottir M, Thilsing T, Matricardi P, Kramer U, Makowska JS, Brozek G, Gjomarkaj M, Howarth P, Loureiro C, Toskala E, Fokkens W, Bachert C, Burney P, Jarvis D. Allergy. 2011; 66: 556- 61.

The relation of airway obstruction to asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis and age: results from a population survey of adults. / Obaseki D, Potts J, Joos G, Baelum J, Haahtela T, Ahlström M et al. Allergy. 2014 sep;69(9):1205-14.

Diagnosing chronic rhinosinusitis: comparing questionnaire-based and clinical-based diagnosis. / Lange B, Thilsing T, Baelum J, Holst R, Kjeldsen A. Rhinology. 2013;51(2):128-36.

Do patients with chronic rhinosinusitis benefit from consultation with an ENT-doctor? Lange B, Thilsing T, Baelum J, Pedersen OF, Holst R, Kjeldsen AD. Acta oto-laryngologica. 2015:1-7.

Geographical variation in the prevalence of sensitization to common aeroallergens in adults: the GA LEN survey. / Newson RB, van Ree R, Forsberg B, Janson C, Lotvall J, Dahlen SE, et al. Allergy. 2014;69(5):643-51.

Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin-specific IgE is associated with asthma in the general population: a GA(2) LEN study. / Tomassen P, Jarvis D, Newson R, Van Ree R, Forsberg B, Howarth P, et al. Allergy. 2013;68(10):1289-97.