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.

	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	-