Dyspnoea in a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study of middle-aged men: The Study of Men Born in 1913 and 1923

In a longitudinal population study, 855 men, born in 1913 andinitially examined when 50 years old, were followed for 17 yearswith measurements of dyspnoea and other variables performedat ages 50, 54, and 67 years. In addition a sample of 226 menborn in 1923 was followed from 50 to 57 years of age. At thelatest examination, four different methods for measuring dyspnoeawere used, one based on questionnaire, one on interview, andtwo on visual analogue scales. The estimates from these methodswere highly intercorrelated, and correlated with measures ofcardiopulmonary function as well. The prevalence of dyspnoeagrade 2 (shortness of breath when walking with someone of thesame age on the level) or more, not counting the mildest formof dyspnoea in these populations, was 2.8%, 3.0%, 5.2% and 10.3%at 50, 54, 57 and 67 years of age, respectively. Dyspnoea gradel (shortness of breath when walking quickly on the level oruphill) was less well related to age. A scoring system to differentiatevarious possible causes of dyspnoea was applied. About one thirdof the dyspnoeic men had signs and symptoms of cardiac disease,one quarter had pulmonary disease, and a quarter had a combinationof both causes. The remaining 20% had no signs or symptoms indicatingcardiopulmonary disease but in the majority of the cases otherplausible causes were found.