Epidemiology of Chronic Bronchitis in Jersey City

Abstract

The emergence of chronic bronchitis as an important disease entity prompted this study of the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms in 40- to 59-year-old men in the Jersey City Housing Units. Introduction Previously reported epidemiologic studies of chronic bronchitis in the United Kingdom^1-7 provided the basis for our attempt to measure the prevalence of this condition in Jersey City. The World Health Organization has approved a definition of chronic bronchitis as "chronic bronchial inflammation with hypersecretion of mucus."⁸ Clinically it is recognized as a productive cough, not attributable to localized disease of the upper respiratory tract, bronchi, or lung parenchyma.⁹ An epidemiologic definition of chronic productive cough is "persistent cough and sputum present most days for at least three months each year," based upon the results of a standard questionnaire.¹⁰ Morbidity statistics and absentee records fully document the importance of chronic bronchitis in Great Britain: In