[Frequency of chronic bronchitis-results of epidemiologic research in the GDR (author's transl)].

The frequency of chronic bronchitis among 33000 persons, selected by randomization, between 35 and 64 years of age, living in 4 large cities and 24 selected districts with different air pollution levels in GDR was investigated. A chronic bronchitis questionnaire and measurement of FVC, FEV1, PO2 were used to test each person, partially broncho-provocation-tests with histamin aerosols were performed. According to this investigation 6% of the men and 2.8% of the women suffered from CNSLD. In this group of diseased persons 50% showed obstructive disturbances of ventilation, 20% signs of decreased physical fitness due to respiratory disorders and 10% a manifested respiratory insufficiency.