[Prevalence of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and bronchial hyperreactivity in the adult population in the Prague 8 district]. / Výskyt bronchiálního astmatu, chronické bronchitidy a bronchiální hyperreaktivity u dospelých obyvatel Prahy 8.

The prevalence was assessed in a randomized group of 18-year-old and older inhabitants of Prague 8. A total of 8458 internationally tested questionnaires were sent out to a population of 90,458; information was obtained on 7605 (89.9%), 1274 were given a detailed examination by standardized methods. Cumulative prevalence of bronchial asthma (B): 2.3% +/- 0.3% (same in M and F). The highest values at the age of 18-20 years were 3.5%; 3.6% in the age group 21-30 years, the absolutely highest values--4.6%--were recorded in 18-year-old men. Contemporary prevalence of BA: 1.99%. In BA bronchial obstructions were found in 51%, bronchial hyperreactivity in 75%, positive skin tests in 71%, an increase of IgE in 36%. Prevalence of chronic bronchitis (CHB): 14.1%; men 17.6% women--11.3%, highest value--18.9%--in the age group 70-80 years; absolutely highest values were recorded in men aged 70-80 years--20.9%. In CHB there was a bronchial obstruction in 55% and this obstruction was reversible in 40%. In the group CHB bronchial asthma was recorded in 20%. Prevalence of bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) was estimated from results of broncho-provocative tests and from the calculation according to prevalence of BHR in respiratory diseases. The thus calculated figure was 13.7%. The incidence of bronchial asthma in chronic bronchitis in 1/6 and of bronchial hyperreactivity in more than 1/10 of the adult population are striking facts. It is essential to find the causes of these findings and make effective provisions to counteract them.

[The prevalence of bronchial asthma in a selected sample of the adult Prague population]. / Prevalence bronchiálního astmatu ve vybraném vzorku dospelé Prazské populace.

The authors assessed the prevalence of bronchial asthma in 8458 18-year-old and older inhabitants of an economic area in Prague 8. The population of the area up to December 31, 1987 was 90,458 adults. The health communities were selected in a random way to comprise the central as well as peripheral parts of Prague 8. By means of questionnaires information was assembled from 70.9% of the respondents and after supplementation of data by various doctors the scope of information was 89.9% (7605/8458). For detailed examination 902 subjects were selected with "confirmed" and suspect symptoms of asthma. The anamnestic data were analyzed and pulmonary ventilation was examined (flow-volume), and depending on indication, also the provocation or bronchodilatation inhalation test, skin tests, and total IgE. The cumulative prevalence of bronchial asthma was 2.3% +/- 0.3% (174/7605). The highest prevalence values were in subjects under 20 years--3.5% and under 30 years--3.6%. The contemporary prevalence was 2.0% +/- 0.3% (152/7605). Nonatopic asthma was recorded in 54%, atopic asthma in 46% of the subjects.

[Epidemiology of bronchial asthma and bronchial hyperreactivity]. / Epidemiologie bronchiálního astmatu a bronchiální hyperreaktivity.

Prevalence of bronchial asthma and bronchial hyperreactivity (BH) was studied in a randomized sample of Prague 8 inhabitants aged 19 and over. The number of adults living in Prague 8 had been 90 458 by December 31, 1987. 8458 questionnaires had been sent to 5 randomly selected districts. Information mainly concerned with respiratory diseases was received from 89.9% persons. Cumulative prevalence (i.e. both contemporary and past) of bronchial asthma was 2.3% +/- 0.3% in both sexes. The cumulative prevalence calculated by way of direct standardization was slightly higher - 2.33% +/- 0.33% (men 2.33% +/- 0.5%, women 2.32% +/- 0.45%). The highest value of 3.6% was found at the age of 21-30 years. Evidence of BH was found in 75% cases of bronchial asthma by means of the inhalation histamine test. In adult population, the BH value was calculated on the basis of distribution of incidence in the healthy population and in persons with respiratory disease and the BH prevalence was found in each group. The BH in total adult population of Prague 8 was 13.7%. This is an alarming figure.

Natural killer and interleukin-2 induced cytotoxicity in asthmatics. I. Effect of acute antigen-specific challenge.

Natural killer (NK) cell activity and interleukin-2 (IL-2) induced cytotoxicity to NK-resistant targets T24 in a group of patients with grass pollen seasonal asthma were investigated. Acute bronchial provocation with this antigen was also performed and blood samples were taken before and 15 min after the maximal clinical response. NK activity was elevated in this group but there was a significant decrease after acute challenge. IL-2 induced cytotoxicity was also increased and declined after antigen challenge. Limiting dilution analysis for minimal frequencies of precursors of the IL-2 induced killer cells was introduced and showed increased numbers of lymphokine-activated killing precursors in this group of patients. These data might indicate the aberrations of the IL-2 system in immediate type allergy but the clinical significance of these findings remains to be determined.

[Infant mortality in the parish of Smecno in the years 1730-1779 (according to parish birth registers)]. / Kojenecka umrtnost ve smecenske farnosti v letech 1730-1779 (na zaklade matrik)

PIP: Infant mortality in the parish of Smecno, Czechoslovakia, is analyzed for the period 1730-1799 using data from parish registers. Variations in infant mortality over time and by sex are noted. (summary in ENG, RUS)^ieng