Context Gastroesophageal reflux and obesity are both increasing in prevalence. The scientific evidence for an association between these conditions is sparse and contradictory. A difference between sexes concerning this relation has been proposed.Objective To evaluate the relation between body mass and gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and determine how this relation is influenced by female sex hormones.

SummaryBackground Previous reports have suggested that certain probiotics given to mothers and children at risk of atopy halves the incidence of atopic dermatitis (AD) at 2 years of age. Objectives To examine if probiotics given to pregnant women in a nonselected population could prevent atopic sensitization or allergic diseases during the child's first 2 years. Methods In a randomized, double-blind trial of children from a nonselected maternal population (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00159523), women received probiotic milk or placebo from 36 weeks of gestation to 3 months postnatally during breastfeeding. The probiotic milk contained Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb-12. Children with an itchy rash for more than 4 weeks were assessed for AD. At 2 years of age, all children were assessed for atopic sensitization, AD, asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was enabled by multiple imputations. Results Four hundred and fifteen pregnant women were computer randomized. At 2 years, 138 and 140 children in the probiotic and the placebo groups, respectively, were assessed. In the ITT analysis, the odds ratio (OR) for the cumulative incidence of AD was 0AE51 in the probiotic group compared with the placebo [95% confidence interval (CI) 0AE30-0AE87; P = 0AE013]. There were no significant effects on asthma (OR 0AE68, 95% CI 0AE26-1AE80; P = 0AE437) or atopic sensitization (OR 1AE52, 95% CI 0AE74-3AE14; P = 0AE254). Conclusions Probiotics given to nonselected mothers reduced the cumulative incidence of AD, but had no effect on atopic sensitization.

Even for a medically based DP, low socioeconomic status, low level of education and occupational factors might be strong determinants when compared to medical factors alone. These non-medical determinants are usually not addressed by individual based health or rehabilitation programmes.

The purpose of this study was to develop new prediction equations for flow/volume spirometry parameters in asymptomatic, never-smoking adults in Norway, and to assess any differences of these parameters when applying the new and most commonly used equation sets.Flow/volume spirometry was measured according to the American Thoracic Society criteria in 2,792 subjects aged ¢20 yrs, randomly selected from participants in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study. Ever-smokers and subjects with respiratory symptoms and/or diseases reported in this questionnaire were excluded. A total of 546 females and 362 males met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analyses.Most lung function variables were nonlinear by age and had to be transformed. After a plateau in younger adults, the variables declined by age. The reference values for forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity from the present study, were higher than those given by prediction equations from the European Community for Coal and Steel, but in closer agreement with later studies from Europe, Australia and the USA.Healthcare providers should be encouraged to reconsider their choice of prediction equations of spirometry in order to improve management of obstructive lung diseases.

SUMMARY BackgroundThe association between psychiatric disorders and gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms is uncertain, and few population-based studies are available.