Clinical respiratory abnormalities in Michigan. Prevalence by sex and smoking history in a representative sample of the adult population

A stratified random sample of a large state (Michigan) was studied by respiratory questionnaire, medical history, and physical examination. Data were obtained on 1,169 white adults. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis and chronic wheezing varied with sex (greater in men) and smoking history (greatest in current smokers). The prevalence of chronic bronchitis varied depending on whether it was (1) defined simply as chronic production of sputum, (2) diagnosed by the examining physician, or (3) previously diagnosed by a physician. Dyspnea was more common in women; in men, it was least common in nonsmokers but was of similar prevalence in ex-smokers and current smokers. Angina was more commonly reported by women, but previously diagnosed heart attack was consistently more common in men. Wheezing was by far the most common physical sign, present in 5.1 percent of the total population and 9.2 percent of male current smokers. Clubbing and rales were each noted in 1.2 percent of the total population. The prevalences of clinical findings in this cross section of a large state should be useful for comparison with other populations.