Medical specialist and consultant

Prof Francisco Gómez Real, MD PhD, shares his time between scientific and clinical work. He is a professor at the Department of Clinical Science, Medicine Faculty at the University of Bergen, Norway. He a specialist in Gynaecology and Obstetrics, works as a consultant at the Women's Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, and is responsible for the follow-up of pregnant women with obesity. He has experience from General Practice and Respiratory Medicine.

Research

Real is a pioneer and international top-expert of research investigating the link between sex hormones, reproductive and metabolic factors and early life factors for respiratory health and disease, pioneering the field through his own PhD, postdoctoral work, PhD students, and postdoctoral research fellow. He is responsible for women´s health studies in the cohorts Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) and Respiratory Health in Northern Europe, Spain and Australia (RHINESSA), og co-chair for women´s health studies in Europaen Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS).

He leads the Research Unit for Health Surveys (RUHS), a core facility at the University of Bergen for the implementation of clinical research projects not requiring hospital infrastructure. RUHS is a collaboration between the Faculty of Medicine (MOF) and Haukeland University Hospital (HUS), administratively subject to the department of Clinical Science, and funded by the Trond Mohn Foundation/Trond Mohn Stiftelse (TMS).

There has been extensive covering of Real's research activities in both the national and international media (incl. Reuters) – newspapers (incl. the New York Times, Washington Post, Der Standard, El Pais, Aftenposten), magazines (incl. Dagens Medisin, Allergi i Praksis, Tidskriftet for den Norske Legeforeningen), women’s magazines (incl. Women’s Weekly magazine, SELF magazine), radio (incl. BBC news, ABC news, Norwegian radio stations) and online media (incl. Times News, Medical News Today, American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, RT online, Web MD, Women´s day, På Høyden).

Real has received numerous Best Paper Awards, from the Norwegian Respiratory Society. In 2007 as first author, and in 2011, 2016 and 2017 as the last author.

Real is lecturer for 5th year medical students in Obstetrics and Gynecology semester in English, at the University of Bergen.

Real was responsible for initiating and organizing the clinical praxis for 5th year medical students in Obstetrics and Gynecology semester in English, at the University of Bergen.

Academic article

• Sinsamala, Robin Mzati; Johannessen, Ane; Marcon, Alessandro et al. (2024). Pregnancy outcomes as related to in utero exposure to air pollution and greenness: The Life-GAP Project. (external link)
• Viken, Anders Flataker; Siiak, Silver Peeter; Schlünssen, Vivi et al. (2024). Muscle Strength and Male Sexual Function. (external link)
• Emilsson, Össur Ingi; Johansson, Henrik; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2024). Heritability of cough across two generations: the RHINESSA study. (external link)
• Nilsen, Roy Miodini; Strandberg, Ragnhild Bjarkøy; Yaya, Yaliso et al. (2024). Pre-pregnancy obesity among immigrant and non-immigrant women in Norway: Prevalence, trends, and subgroup variations. (external link)
• Van Der Plaat, Diana A.; Lenoir, Alexandra; Dharmage, Shyamali et al. (2024). Effects of testosterone and sex hormone binding globulinon lung function in males and females: A multivariable Mendelian Randomisation study. (external link)
• Kirkeleit, Jorunn; Riise, Trond; Wielscher, Mathias et al. (2023). Early life exposures contributing to accelerated lung function decline in adulthood – a follow-up study of 11,000 adults from the general population. (external link)
• Abouelhana, Hesham Amin Mohamed; Šantl-Temkiv, Tina; Cramer, Christine et al. (2023). Indoor Airborne Microbiome and Endotoxin: Meteorological Events and Occupant Characteristics Are Important Determinants. (external link)
• Shigdel, Rajesh; Johannessen, Ane; Lin, Huang et al. (2023). Oral bacterial composition associated with lung function and lung inflammation in a community-based Norwegian population. (external link)
• Khomich, Maryia; Lin, Huang; Malinovschi, Andrei et al. (2023). Association between lipid-A-producing oral bacteria of different potency and fractional exhaled nitric oxide in a Norwegian population-based adult cohort. (external link)
• Kisiel, Marta A.; Arnfelt, Oscar; Lindberg, Eva et al. (2023). Association between abdominal and general obesity and respiratory symptoms, asthma and COPD. Results from the RHINE study. (external link)
• Kitaba, Negusse Tadesse; Knudsen, Gerd Toril Mørkve; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2023). Fathers’ preconception smoking and offspring DNA methylation. (external link)
• Triebner, Kai Philipp; Markevych, Iana; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen et al. (2022). Lifelong exposure to residential greenspace and the premenstrual syndrome: A population-based study of Northern European women. (external link)
• Grindheim, Sindre; Ebbing, Cathrine; Karlsen, Henriette Odland et al. (2022). Metformin exposure, maternal PCOS status and fetal venous liver circulation: A randomized, placebo-controlled study. (external link)
• Vindenes, Hilde Kristin; Lin, Huang; Shigdel, Rajesh et al. (2022). Exposure to Antibacterial Chemicals Is Associated With Altered Composition of Oral Microbiome. (external link)
• Lønnebotn, Marianne; Calciano, Lucia; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2022). Parental Prepuberty Overweight and Offspring Lung Function. (external link)
• Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Perez Barrionuevo, Antonio Manuel; Shigdel, Rajesh et al. (2022). Association of oral bacteria with oral hygiene habits and self-reported gingival bleeding. (external link)
• Svanes, Cecilie; Johannessen, Ane; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen et al. (2022). Cohort profile: the multigeneration Respiratory Health in Northern Europe, Spain and Australia (RHINESSA) cohort. (external link)
• Vogt, Elinor Margrethe Chelsom; Real, Francisco Gomez; Husebye, Eystein Sverre et al. (2022). Premature menopause and autoimmune primary ovarian insufficiency in two international multi-center cohorts. (external link)
• Moitra, Subhabrata; Carsin, Anne-Elie; Abramson, Michael J et al. (2022). Long-term effect of asthma on the development of obesity among adults: an international cohort study, ECRHS. (external link)
• Sigurðardóttir, Erla S.; Gislason, Thorarinn; Benediktsdottir, Bryndis et al. (2022). Female sex hormones and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in European women of a population-based cohort. (external link)
• Wåtevik, Marie ; Frisk, Bente; Real, Francisco Gomez et al. (2021). CT-defined emphysema in COPD patients and risk for change in desaturation status in 6-min walk test. (external link)
• Ekström, Magnus; Johannessen, Ane; Abramson, Michael J. et al. (2021). Breathlessness across generations: Results from the RHINESSA generation study. (external link)
• Krantz, Christina; Accordini, Simone; Alving, Kjell et al. (2021). Cross-sectional study on exhaled nitric oxide in relation to upper airway inflammatory disorders with regard to asthma and perennial sensitization. (external link)
• Tjalvin, Gro; Svanes, Øistein; Igland, Jannicke et al. (2021). Maternal preconception occupational exposure to cleaning products and disinfectants and offspring asthma. (external link)
• Accordini, Simone; Calciano, Lucia; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2021). Prenatal and prepubertal exposures to tobacco smoke in men may cause lower lung function in future offspring: a three-generation study using a causal modelling approach. (external link)
• Triebner, Kai Philipp; Bui, Dinh S.; Walters, E. Haydn et al. (2021). Childhood lung function as a determinant of menopause-dependent lung function decline. (external link)
• Nerpin, Elisabet; Ferreira, Diogenes Seraphim; Weyler, Joost et al. (2021). Bronchodilator response and lung function decline: Associations with exhaled nitric oxide with regard to sex and smoking status. (external link)
• Vindenes, Hilde Kristin; Svanes, Cecilie; Lygre, Stein Håkon Låstad et al. (2021). Exposure to environmental phenols and parabens, and relation to body mass index, eczema and respiratory outcomes in the Norwegian RHINESSA study. (external link)
• Triebner, Kai; Bifulco, Ersilia; Barrera-Gómez, Jose et al. (2021). Ultraviolet radiation as a predictor of sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women: A European multi-center study (ECRHS). (external link)
• Rezwan, Faizal I; Imboden, Medea; Amaral, André F.S. et al. (2020). Association of adult lung function with accelerated biological aging. (external link)
• Lindberg, Eva; Janson, Christer; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2020). Sleep time and sleep-related symptoms across two generations – results of the community-based RHINE and RHINESSA studies. (external link)
• Wåtevik, Marie Johanne; Frisk, Bente; Gomez Real, Francisco et al. (2020). One Year Change in 6-Minute Walk Test Outcomes is Associated with COPD Prognosis. (external link)
• Knudsen, Gerd Toril Mørkve; Dharmage, Shyamali C.; Janson, Christer et al. (2020). Parents’ smoking onset before conception as related to body mass index and fat mass in adult offspring: Findings from the RHINESSA generation study. (external link)
• Triebner, Kai; Johannessen, Ane; Svanes, Cecilie et al. (2020). Describing the status of reproductive ageing simply and precisely: A reproductive ageing score based on three questions and validated with hormone levels. (external link)
• Campbell, Brittany; Bui, Dinh S.; Simpson, Julie A. et al. (2020). Early Age at Natural Menopause Is Related to Lower Post-Bronchodilator Lung Function. A Longitudinal Population-based Study. (external link)
• Carsin, Anne-Elie; Keidel, Dirk; Fuertes, Elaine et al. (2020). Regular Physical Activity Levels and Incidence of Restrictive Spirometry Pattern: A Longitudinal Analysis of 2 Population-Based Cohorts. (external link)
• Lenoir, Alexandra; Fuertes, Elaine; Gomez Real, Francisco et al. (2020). Lung function changes over 8 years and testosterone markers in both sexes: Uk biobank. (external link)
• Triebner, Kai; Accordini, Simone; Calciano, Lucia et al. (2019). Exogenous female sex steroids may reduce lung ageing after menopause: A 20-year follow-up study of a general population sample (ECRHS). (external link)
• Carsin, Anne-Elie; Fuertes, Elaine; Schaffner, Emmanuel et al. (2019). Restrictive spirometry pattern is associated with low physical activity levels. A population based international study. (external link)
• van der Plaat, Diana A.; Pereira, Miguel; Pesce, Giancarlo et al. (2019). Age at menopause and lung function: a Mendelian randomisation study. (external link)
• Knudsen, Gerd Toril Mørkve; Rezwan, FI; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2019). Epigenome-wide association of father's smoking with offspring DNA methylation: A hypothesis-generating study. (external link)
• Løvvik, Tone Shetelig; Carlsen, Sven Magnus; Salvesen, Øyvind et al. (2019). Use of metformin to treat pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PregMet2): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. (external link)
• Campbell, Brittany; Simpson, Julie A.; Bui, Dinh S. et al. (2019). Early menarche is associated with lower adult lung function: A longitudinal cohort study from the first to sixth decade of life. (external link)
• Triebner, Kai; Markevych, Iana; Hustad, Simon Steinar et al. (2019). Residential surrounding greenspace and age at menopause: A 20-year European study (ECRHS). (external link)
• Emilsson, Össur Ingi; Hägg, Shadi Amid; Lindberg, Eva et al. (2019). Snoring and nocturnal reflux: Association with lung function decline and respiratory symptoms. (external link)
• van der Plaat, Diana; Minelli, Cosetta; Jarvis, Deborah et al. (2019). Polycystic ovary syndrome and lung function: a Mendelian randomization study. (external link)
• Johannessen, Ane; Lønnebotn, Marianne; Calciano, Lucia et al. (2019). Being overweight in childhood, puberty, or early adulthood: Changing asthma risk in the next generation?. (external link)
• Kuiper, Ingrid Nordeide; Svanes, Cecilie; Benediktsdóttir, Bryndís et al. (2018). Agreement in reporting of asthma by parents or offspring - the RHINESSA generation study. (external link)
• Perez Barrionuevo, Antonio Manuel; Gomez Real, Francisco; Igland, Jannicke et al. (2018). Periodontal Health status and lung function in two Norwegian cohorts. (external link)
• Accordini, Simone; Calciano, Lucia; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2018). A three-generation study on the association of tobacco smoking with asthma. (external link)
• Jögi, Nils Oskar; Svanes, Cecilie; Siiak, Silver Peeter et al. (2018). Zoonotic helminth exposure and risk of allergic diseases: A study of two generations in Norway. (external link)
• Lønnebotn, Marianne; Natvig, Gerd Karin; Benediktsdóttir, Bryndís et al. (2018). Polycystic ovary syndrome, body mass index and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. (external link)
• Lønnebotn, Marianne; Svanes, Cecilie; Igland, Jannicke et al. (2018). Body silhouettes as a tool to reflect obesity in the past. (external link)
• Fuertes, Elaine; Carsin, Anne Elie; Antó, Jósep Maria et al. (2018). Leisure-time vigorous physical activity is associated with better lung function: The prospective ECRHS study. (external link)
• Erbas, Bircan; Knudsen, Gerd Toril Mørkve; Janson, Christer et al. (2018). Critical age windows in the impact of lifetime smoking exposure on respiratory symptoms and disease among ever smokers. (external link)
• Gill, Dipender; Sheehan, Nuala A.; Wielscher, Matthias et al. (2017). Age at menarche and lung function: a Mendelian randomization study. (external link)
• Hansen, Sofie; Probst-Hensch, Nicole; Bettschart, Robert et al. (2017). Early menarche and new onset of asthma: Results from the SAPALDIA cohort study. (external link)
• Htet, Thaw D.; Teede, Helena J.; De Courten, Barbora et al. (2017). Asthma in reproductive-aged women with polycystic ovary syndrome and association with obesity. (external link)
• Lindberg, Eva; Benediktsdóttir, Bryndís; Franklin, Karl A. et al. (2017). Women with symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing are less likely to be diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea than men. (external link)
• Triebner, Kai; Matulonga, Bobette; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2017). Menopause is associated with accelerated lung function decline.. (external link)
• Russell, Melissa A.; Janson, Christer; Gomez Real, Francisco et al. (2017). Physical activity and asthma: A longitudinal and multi-country study. (external link)
• Campbell, Brittany; Rahérison, Chantal; Lodge, Caroline Jane et al. (2017). The effects of growing up on a farm on adult lung function and allergic phenotypes: An international population-based study. (external link)
• Lowe, Adrian J.; Lodge, Caroline J.; Allen, Katrina J. et al. (2017). Cohort Profile: Melbourne Atopy Cohort study (MACS). (external link)
• Skulstad, Svein Magne; Igland, Jannicke; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2017). Validation of maternal reported pregnancy and birth characteristics against the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. (external link)
• Björnsdóttir, Erla; Janson, Christer; Lindberg, Eva et al. (2017). Respiratory symptoms are more common among short sleepers independent of obesity. (external link)
• Amaral, André F.S.; Strachan, David P.; Gomez Real, Francisco et al. (2016). Lower lung function associates with cessation of menstruation: UK Biobank data. (external link)
• Gíslason, Þórarinn; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Gomez Real, Francisco et al. (2016). Self-reported exposure to traffic pollution in relation to daytime sleepiness and habitual snoring: a questionnaire study in seven North-European cities. (external link)
• Dratva, Julia; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Janson, Christer et al. (2016). Validation of self-reported figural drawing scales against anthropometric measurements in adults. (external link)
• Gomez Real, Francisco; Barrionuevo, Laura Perez; Franklin, K. et al. (2016). The Association of gum bleeding With respiratory Health in a population based study from Northern Europe. (external link)
• Triebner, Kai; Johannessen, Ane; Puggini, Luca et al. (2016). Menopause as a predictor of new-onset asthma: A longitudinal Northern European population study. (external link)
• Svanes, Cecilie; Koplin, Jennifer; Skulstad, Svein Magne et al. (2016). Father’s environment before conception and asthma risk in his children: a multi-generation analysis of the Respiratory Health In Northern Europe study. (external link)
• Wåtevik, Marie Johanne; Johannessen, Ane; Gomez Real, Francisco et al. (2016). Oxygen desaturation in 6-min walk test is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in COPD patients.. (external link)
• Dratva, Julia; Zemp, Elisabeth; Dharmage, Shyamali C. et al. (2016). Early life origins of lung ageing: Early life exposures and lung function decline in adulthood in two European cohorts aged 28-73 years. (external link)
• Matheson, Melanie C.; Burgess, John A.; Lau, Melisa Y.Z. et al. (2015). Hormonal contraception increases risk of asthma among obese but decreases it among nonobese subjects: A prospective, population-based cohort study. (external link)
• Svanes, Øistein; Skorge, Trude Duelien; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2015). Respiratory health in cleaners in Northern Europe: Is susceptibility established in early life?. (external link)
• Johannessen, Ane; Verlato, Guiseppe; Benediktsdottir, Bryndis et al. (2014). Longterm follow-up in European respiratory health studies - patterns and implications. (external link)
• Leynaert, Bénédicte; Sunyer, Jordi; Garcia-Esteban, Raquel et al. (2012). Gender differences in prevalence, diagnosis and incidence of allergic and non-allergic asthma: a population-based cohort. (external link)

Abstract

• Gyawali, Sanjay; Lønnebotn, Marianne; Johannessen, Ane et al. (2023). Asthma and asthma-like symptoms as associated with endometriosis and menstrual pain. (external link)

Doctoral dissertation

• Lønnebotn, Marianne; Real, Francisco Gomez (2022). Parental body size and offspring lung health: preparing for parenthood already in childhood?. (external link)
• Triebner, Kai; Gomez Real, Francisco (2017). Respiratory health in aging women. The influence of menopause on asthma incidence and lung function decline. (external link)

Academic literature review

• Svanes, Cecilie; Bertelsen, Randi Jacobsen; Accordini, Simone et al. (2021). Exposures during the prepuberty period and future offspring's health: evidence from human cohort studies. (external link)
• López Cervantes, Juan Pablo; Lønnebotn, Marianne; Jögi, Nils Oskar et al. (2021). The Exposome Approach in Allergies and Lung Diseases: Is It Time to Define a Preconception Exposome?. (external link)
• Gomez Real, Francisco; Burgess, John A.; Villani, Simona et al. (2018). Maternal age at delivery, lung function and asthma in offspring: A population-based survey. (external link)
• Lønnebotn, Marianne; El-Merhie, Natalia; Holloway, John W et al. (2018). Environmental Impact on Health across Generations: Policy Meets Biology. A Review of Animal and Human Models.. (external link)
• Sánchez-Ramos, José L.; Pereira-Vega, Antonio R.; Alvarado-Gómez, Francisco et al. (2017). Risk factors for premenstrual asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (external link)
• Macsali, Ferenc; Svanes, Cecilie; Bjørge, Line et al. (2012). Respiratory health in women: from menarche to menopause. (external link)

Letter to the editor

• van der Plaat, Diana A.; Minelli, Cosetta; Jarvis, Deborah L. et al. (2020). Polycystic ovary syndrome and lung function: a Mendelian randomization study. (external link)

Poster

• Lønnebotn, Marianne; Nilsen, Roy Miodini; Dharmage, Shyamali et al. (2018). Associations of fathers and their offsprings weight gain With non-allergic asthma. (external link)

Academic lecture

• Waatevik, Marie; Eagan, Tomas Mikal; Hardie, Jon Andrew et al. (2017). Repeated desaturation in 6 minute walk test increases risk for mortality in COPD patients. (external link)

See a complete overview of publications in Cristin.

Real has built an excellent track record in reproductive and respiratory health in women and across generations. He has 89 peer reviewed publications, including 54 in the last 5 years. His publication output shows an upward trajectory, with 20 publications in the last two years, and 31 of his publications in top ranked journals (IF 8 or above), he is 1st/2nd/senior author on 26 of them. He has contributed to three book chapters. He is an experienced supervisor of researchers.

Project leader and collaborator

He collaborates in his research with the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE), the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS), Tasmanian Health Survey (TAHS), the Swiss cohort study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults (SAPALDIA), the UK BioBank, the PregMet study, and the transgenerational Respiratory Health in Northern Europe, Spain and Australia (RHINESSA) cohorts. He was PI of the ground-breaking Norwegian Research Council funded Menopause and Respiratory Health study, where ECRHS, RHINE and TAHS collaborated.  He spent a 6-month postdoctoral attachment at prof Shyamali Dharmage´s Allergy and Lung Health Unit, University of Melbourne. He leads the Reproductive Respiratory Health working group of RHINE and RHINESSA studies, is co-Chair of the ECRHS Gender Working Group with AI Leynaert, and PI for ECRHS in Bergen.

Real´s main strengths as a scientist are original and innovative thinking, excellent network building capacity and extensive experience with research administration. This is reflected in papers that have contributed to paradigm shift.

Real collaborates in developing CASCADE (Centre of Multigeneration Science on Health and Disease), a centre led by professor Cecilie Svanes aimed to undertake multigenerational human research.

His PhD student and postdoctoral researcher, Kai Triebner, led recent papers showing menopause is related to new onset asthma and accelerated lung function decline (published in leading respiratory and allergy journals).

 

2018-2023        Partner, “Preconception exposures and related epigenetic mechanisms in Asthma and allergies”. TOPFORSK Norwegian Research Council (NRC) grant, 25,000,000 NOK

2018-2021        Supervisor, «Life course with good Health» program, West Health Council (Helse Vest) grant, PhD research fellowship, PhD candidate Marianne Lønnebotn

2017-2021        Leader, Research Unit for Health Surveys, Bergen Research Foundation (BFS) grant 11,000,000 NOK

2017-2020        Supervisor, “Post-menopausal deterioration of respiratory health:  Lifestyle strategies to preserve healthy lungs in aging women”, University of Bergen grant, postdoctoral research fellowship, PhD Kai Triebner