Number of respondents

Symptoms, diagnoses and tests of CRDs

NHANES III
1988-1994
Adults

NHANES
1999-2008

NHANES
2005-2006
Special Study

Subjects with pulmonary function tests/Spirometry (including subjects with asthma and COPD)

20,627

-

-

Asthma

Subjects asked if ever been told you have asthma?

20,050

49,096

-

Subjects asked if still have asthma?

1,377

4,664

-

Subject asked if had asthma attack in past year?

-

4,276

-

Emergency care visit for asthma/past year?

-

2,198

-

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Subjects asked if a doctor ever told you that you have chronic bronchitis?

20,050

26,249

-

Subject asked if still have chronic bronchitis?

-

1,211

-

Subjects asked if still have bronchitis?

1,134

-

-

Subjects asked if a doctor ever told you that you have emphysema?

20,050

26,243

-

Allergic Rhinitis

Serum Total IgE and allergen specific IgE

-

-

8,336

Subject asked if a doctor every told you that you have allergies?

-

-

9,822

Subjects asked it a doctor ever told you that you have hay fever?

20,050

-

9,822

Subjects asked if still have hay fever?

1,501

-

-

Subject asked if had hay fever in past year?

-

14,920

-

Chronic Sinusitis

During the past 12 months, have you had sinusitis or sinus problems?

5,848

-

-

Number of episodes of sinusitis in the past 12 months?

4,526

-

-

Subject asked if during last 12 months a doctor told you that you have sinus infection?

-

-

9,822

Subject asked if currently has flu, pneumonia, ear infection?

-

45,061

-

Table 2: Symptoms, diagnoses and tests of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) currently available in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Note that the NHANES 2005-2006 survey cycle conducted special testing regarding allergies and survey questions regarding allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.