RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Incidence of new-onset wheeze: a

prospective study in a large middle-aged general population Mathias Holm1*, Kjell Torén1,2 and Eva Andersson1 Background: Wheeze is a very common respiratory symptom, which is associated with several factors and diseases. Studies on incidence of new-onset wheeze in general adult populations are rare. The present prospective study aimed to investigate the incidence rate of new-onset wheeze, and predictors for wheeze, in a general, middle-aged population. Methods: Individuals, born 1943–1973, who had participated in a previous Swedish study in 1993 (n = 15,813), were mailed a new respiratory questionnaire in 2003. The questionnaire, which included items about respiratory symptoms, atopy, and smoking was answered by 11,463 (72 %). Incidence rates of new-onset wheeze were calculated. Cox regression analyses were performed with incident wheeze as an event and person-years under observation as dependent variable. Results: Among those free of wheeze at baseline (n = 8885), there were 378 new cases of wheeze during the study period (1993–2003). The incidence rate was 4.3/1000 person-years. The adjusted risk was increased in relation t