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Gebresillasie TG, Worku A, Ahmed AA, Kabeta ND. Determinants of asthma among adults in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: a facility-based case-control study. PeerJ 2024; 12:e16530. [PMID: 38192600 PMCID: PMC10773448 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Asthma is a public health concern affecting millions of productive age groups. Several studies were conducted on the determinants of asthma in children. However, little is known about the determinants of asthma among adults in Ethiopia. Understanding the determinants of asthma among adults can help reduce its burden. This study was aimed at identifying determinant factors for developing asthma among adults in Tigray hospitals. Methods A facility-based, unmatched case-control study design was conducted from January 1 to April 26, 2019. A total of 698 participants (228 cases and 470 controls) completed their guided interviews using structured and pretested questionnaires by trained data collectors. A modified standard questionnaire from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II (ECRHS II) was used to collect the data. The case definition was patients having asthma, and the control definition was patients without asthma. Data were entered and cleaned using Epi Data Manager Version 3.1 software and imported to statistical packages for social sciences Version 25 software for analysis. To identify asthma determinants, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted. Results The response rate for both cases and controls was 95.9%. The odds of developing asthma was nearly twice higher among those who resided in urban (AOR = 1.68; 95% CI [1.13-2.50]), more than twice higher among those who have income less than 1000 ETB (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI [1.17-4.56]), twice higher among those who had history of skin allergy (AOR = 2.09; 95% CI [1.14-3.86]), over four times higher among those with family history of asthma (AOR = 4.26; 95% CI [2.63-6.91]), three times higher among those having house dust or smoke exposure (AOR = 3.01; 95% CI [1.96-4.64]), over five times higher among those lifetime firewood users (AOR = 5.39; 95% CI [3.34-8.72]), door opening while cooking (AOR = 0.35; 95% CI [0.26-0.55]), nearly two times higher among those having house dampness (AOR = 1.98; 95% CI [1.069-3.68]), over seven times higher among pet owners (AOR = 7.46; 95% CI [4.04-13] and almost twice higher among those who were physically inactive (AOR = 1.75; 95% CI [1.11-2.85]). Conclusion Asthma has been associated with urbanization, low income, a history of allergic diseases, indoor smoke or dust, firewood use, pet ownership, and a sedentary lifestyle. The community should be informed about the known risks and implement preventive steps like opening a door while cooking to lower the risk of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirhas G. Gebresillasie
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Aksum University, Axum, Tigray, Ethiopa
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Alemayehu Worku
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ahmed Ali Ahmed
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Negussie Deyessa Kabeta
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Gholami M, Ghorban K, Sadeghi M, Dadmanesh M, Rouzbahani NH, Dehnavi S. Mesenchymal stem cells and allergic airway inflammation; a therapeutic approach to induce immunoregulatory responses. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 120:110367. [PMID: 37230032 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Allergic airway inflammations are among the essential disorders worldwide that are already considered a significant concern. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are stromal cells with regenerative potential and immunomodulatory characteristics and are widely administered for tissue repair as an immunoregulatory agent in different inflammatory diseases. The current review summarized primary studies conducted to evaluate the therapeutic potential of MSCs for allergic airway disorders. In this case, modulation of airway pathologic inflammation and infiltration of inflammatory cells were examined, and modulation of the Th1/Th2 cellular balance and humoral responses. Also, the effects of MSCs on the Th17/Treg ratio and inducing Treg immunoregulatory responses along with macrophage and dendritic cell function were evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Gholami
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khodayar Ghorban
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahvash Sadeghi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Maryam Dadmanesh
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Infectious Diseases, School Of Medicine, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negin Hosseini Rouzbahani
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajad Dehnavi
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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3
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Gunaydin NC, Tanc C, Celiker ET, Kacmaz SG, Samanci N, Nalbantoglu A, Nalbantoglu B. Aeroallergen sensitization in school-age children with allergic rhinitis: What has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic? Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2023; 51:68-79. [PMID: 37169562 DOI: 10.15586/aei.v51i3.832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pandemic period may affect aeroallergen sensitization. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to investigate changes in allergen sensitivities of skin prick test (SPT) in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) during pandemic and to evaluate relationship with disease severity. METHODS In all, 164 AR patients with or without asthma, aged 6-17 years, who have undergone SPTs prior to the pandemic and after October 1, 2021 (18th month of the pandemic), were evaluated retrospectively. The wheal size of allergens in performed SPTs during and prior to the pandemic were compared. Detected changes in allergen sensitivities via SPT results were compared with changes in the disease severity parameters (AR severity, asthma severity, and the number of asthma exacerbations per year), frequency of upper respiratory tract infections and antibiotic use, laboratory parameters, demographic characteristics, and visual analogue scores (VAS). RESULTS House dust mites (HDMs), cat, pollen, Artemisia, and Cupressus sensitization increased in AR patients during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. HDM, mold, and pollen wheal diameters increased in SPTs. Proportion of polysensitization increased during the pandemic, compared to pre-pandemic period (9.1% vs 3%; P < 0.001), and number of non-sensitized patients decreased during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period (7.9% vs 22.6%; P < 0.001). An increase in HDM sensitivity in SPTs was correlated with VAS for nasal blockage, and an increase in cat sensitivity was correlated with VAS for all nasal symptoms. CONCLUSION We believe that inhalant allergen sensitization might have been affected by the lifestyle changes of patients during the pandemic. Hence, it is important to evaluate patients for allergen sensitization, especially patients with moderate/severe AR, to revise disease control measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nursen Cigerci Gunaydin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Turkey;
| | - Ceren Tanc
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Tanburoglu Celiker
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Turkey
| | - Sule Guler Kacmaz
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Turkey
| | - Nedim Samanci
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Turkey
| | - Aysin Nalbantoglu
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Turkey
| | - Burcin Nalbantoglu
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Turkey
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Wang J, Janson C, Malinovschi A, Holm M, Franklin KA, Modig L, Johannessen A, Schlünssen V, Gislason T, Jogi NO, Norbäck D. Asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis in association with home environment - The RHINE study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 853:158609. [PMID: 36089044 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We studied home environment exposures in relation to asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis among offspring of participants (parents) in the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) study (age ≤ 30 y). Totally 17,881 offspring from Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Estonia were included. Home environment exposures, including dampness and mold, type of dwelling, construction year and indoor painting were registered through a questionnaire answered by parents in the first follow up (RHINE II). The parents reported ten years later with in the frame of RHINE III offspring's birth year and offspring's asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis. They also reported dampness and mold at home from RHINE II to RHINE III. The prevalence of offspring's asthma before 10 y, asthma after 10 y, allergic rhinitis at any age and atopic dermatitis at any age were 9.7 %, 4.3 %, 15.6 % and 17.3 %, respectively. Asthma before 10 y was related to any indoor painting at RHINE II (OR = 1.14, 95%CI (1.02, 1.29)). Asthma after 10 y was associated with dampness/mold at home (OR = 1.33-1.62) and living in the newest buildings (constructed in 1986-2001) (OR = 1.30, 95%CI (1.02, 1.66)). Allergic rhinitis was associated with living in newer buildings (constructed in 1961-2001) (OR = 1.16-1.24). Atopic dermatitis was associated with visible mold (OR = 1.35, 95%CI(1.12, 1.62)), dampness/mold at home (OR = 1.18-1.38), living in apartments (OR = 1.22, 95%CI(1.10, 1.35)) and living in newer buildings (constructed in 1961-2001) (OR = 1.14-1.25). There were dose-response effects of dampness and mold on offspring's asthma after 10 y and atopic dermatitis (20 years exposure vs. 10 years exposure). Older offspring had increased risk of developing asthma after 10 y and atopic dermatitis. In conclusion, home dampness and mold, living in apartments, living in newer buildings and indoor painting were associated with offspring's asthma or allergic diseases. Stronger health effects were found among offspring with prolonged exposure of dampness/mold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Christer Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andrei Malinovschi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Physiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mathias Holm
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karl A Franklin
- Department of Surgical and Preoperative Sciences, Surgery, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lars Modig
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Sustainable Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ane Johannessen
- Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- Department of Public Health, Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thorarinn Gislason
- Department of Sleep, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Nils Oskar Jogi
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Dan Norbäck
- Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Lu C, Liu Z, Liao H, Yang W, Li Q, Liu Q. Effects of early life exposure to home environmental factors on childhood allergic rhinitis: Modifications by outdoor air pollution and temperature. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 244:114076. [PMID: 36113271 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is growing evidence that allergic rhinitis (AR) is associated with indoor environmental factors, but their role in childhood AR during early life remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of preconceptional, prenatal, early postnatal, and current exposure to home environmental factors with childhood AR, and to further explore whether this association can be interacted by outdoor air pollution and temperature. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of 8689 preschool children was conducted during 2019-2020 in Changsha, China. A standard questionnaire was used to collect data on each family's health outcomes and home environments. We considered home environmental exposures during one year before conception, pregnancy, first year of life, and past year. Associations of indoor air pollution and allergens with AR were assessed by multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS Pre-birth exposure to indoor air pollution emitted by new furniture or redecoration and dampness related allergen derived from mold/damp stains and mold/damp clothes or bedding during 1 year before conception and pregnancy was significantly associated with increased AR, with adjusted ORs (95% CI) ranging from 1.35 (1.05-1.75) to 1.87 (1.55-2.27). Childhood AR was also significantly related with post-birth exposure to dampness related indoor allergen including mold/damp stains and mold/damp clothes or bedding in first year and past year and pollen allergen including total and nonflowing plants in past year, with a range of ORs (95% CI) from 1.20 (1.01-1.42) to 1.79 (1.42-2.27). We identified that pre-birth, particularly in utero exposure to both indoor air pollution from renovation and dampness related allergens, played a key role in AR development compared to post-birth exposures, and accumulative effect was observed with the highest risk of AR. High exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) including outdoor PM2.5, NO2, CO, and O3, as well as living near traffic road not only significantly increased adverse effect of home environmental factors but also decreased protective effect of household dogs on childhood AR. Early life exposure to low temperature in pregnancy and high temperature in first year significantly increased AR risk of home environmental exposure. Sensitivity analysis indicated that some sub-groups were more susceptible to AR risk of home environmental exposure. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that pre-birth exposure to home environmental factors played an important role in AR development and this effect can be interacted by TRAP and temperature, which supports a hypothesis of "(pre)fetal origin of childhood AR".
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Lu
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Zijing Liu
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Hongsen Liao
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Wenhui Yang
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Qin Li
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Qin Liu
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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Kapszewicz K, Podlecka D, Polańska K, Stelmach I, Majak P, Majkowska-Wojciechowska B, Tymoniuk B, Jerzyńska J, Brzozowska A. Home Environment in Early-Life and Lifestyle Factors Associated with Asthma and Allergic Diseases among Inner-City Children from the REPRO_PL Birth Cohort. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11884. [PMID: 36231188 PMCID: PMC9564989 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191911884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that, in our REPRO_PL cohort, exposure to indoor allergens and lifestyle factors in early life are associated with risk of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis at ten years of age. METHODS We only examined children who had lived in the same house from birth. Children's exposure to tobacco smoke was assessed based on cotinine levels in urine. House dust samples were collected. RESULTS Higher Fel d1 concentration in house dust was associated with significantly higher risk of developing asthma at age 10 years (95% CI,10.87 to 20.93; p < 0.001). Frequent house cleaning was associated with development of atopic dermatitis (odds ratio 0.61; 95% CI 0.37 to 0.99; p = 0.045). Clustering of exposure to HDM revealed two types of environment. Cluster 1, defined as lower HDM (dust), in contrast to Cluster 2, defined as higher HDM, was characterized by old-type windows, lower fungus and dampness levels, as well as more frequent house cleaning. CONCLUSION Exposure to cat allergens and new-type buildings that limit air flow while increasing the condensation of steam on the windows and thereby stimulating the growth of fungi are risk factors for the development of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kapszewicz
- Department of Pediatrics and Allergy, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, Pabianicka Street 62, 93-513 Lodz, Poland
| | - Daniela Podlecka
- Department of Pediatrics and Allergy, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, Pabianicka Street 62, 93-513 Lodz, Poland
| | - Kinga Polańska
- Department of Pediatrics and Allergy, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, Pabianicka Street 62, 93-513 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Hazards, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 91-348 Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Pawel Majak
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, 93-513 Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Bogusław Tymoniuk
- Department of Immunology and Allergy, Medical University of Lodz, 93-513 Lodz, Poland
| | - Joanna Jerzyńska
- Department of Pediatrics and Allergy, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, Pabianicka Street 62, 93-513 Lodz, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Brzozowska
- Department of Pediatrics and Allergy, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Medical University of Lodz, Pabianicka Street 62, 93-513 Lodz, Poland
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7
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Banzon TM, Phipatanakul W. Environmental Interventions for Asthma. Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2022; 43:720-738. [PMID: 35803266 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Exposure and sensitization to environmental factors play a fundamental role in asthma development and is strongly associated with asthma morbidity. While hereditary factors are critical determinants of asthma, exposures to environmental factors are implicated in the phenotypic expression of asthma and have been strongly associated in the risk of its development. Significant interest has thus been geared toward potentially modifiable environmental exposures which may lead to the development of asthma. Allergen exposure, in particular indoor allergens, plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of asthma, and remediation is a primary component of asthma management. In the home, multifaceted and multitargeted environmental control strategies have been shown to reduce home exposures and improve asthma outcomes. In addition to the home environment, assessment of the school, daycare, and workplace environments of patients with asthma is necessary to ensure appropriate environmental control measures in conjunction with medical care. This article will discuss the role of the environment on asthma, review targeted environmental therapy, and examine environmental control measures to suppress environmental exposures in the home and school setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina M Banzon
- Deparmtent of Allergy and Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Wanda Phipatanakul
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of Immunology, Clinical Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, Boston, Massachusetts
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Singh S, Salvi S, Mangal DK, Singh M, Awasthi S, Mahesh PA, Kabra SK, Mohammed S, Sukumaran TU, Ghoshal AG, Barne M, Sinha S, Kochar SK, Singh N, Singh U, Patel KK, Sharma AK, Girase B, Chauhan A, Sit N, Siddaiah JB, Singh V. Prevalence, time trends and treatment practices of asthma in India: the Global Asthma Network study. ERJ Open Res 2022; 8:00528-2021. [PMID: 35651368 PMCID: PMC9149387 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00528-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The objective of this subanalysis of data from centres across urban areas in India of the Global Asthma Network (GAN) was to study 1) the prevalence of symptoms of asthma in children and adults, 2) the change in prevalence of asthma and its trigger factors since the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), and 3) current asthma treatment practice. Methods In this cross-sectional, multicentre, school-based and self-administered questionnaire, responses from children aged 6-7 years and 13-14 years, and their respective parents, were analysed. Results The GAN Phase I study included 20 084 children in the 6-7-year age group, 25 887 children in the 13-14-year age group and 81 296 parents. The prevalence of wheeze in the previous 12 months was 3.16%, 3.63% and 3.30% in the three groups, respectively. In comparison to the ISAAC studies, there was a significant reduction in the prevalence of current wheeze (p<0.001). Bivariate analysis revealed a significant reduction in the prevalence of trigger factors. Almost 82% of current wheezers and 70% of subjects with symptoms of severe asthma were not clinically diagnosed as having asthma. The daily use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) was less than 2.5% in subjects with current wheeze and those with symptoms of severe asthma but less than 1% used daily ICS when asthma remained undiagnosed. Conclusion The prevalence of current wheeze and its causal factors showed a significant reduction compared to previous ISAAC studies. Among subjects with current wheeze and symptoms of severe asthma, the problem of under-diagnosis and under-treatment was widespread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheetu Singh
- Dept of Pulmonary Medicine, Rajasthan Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Sundeep Salvi
- Pulmocare Research and Education Foundation, Pune, India
| | | | - Meenu Singh
- Dept of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Changdigarh, India
| | - Shally Awasthi
- Dept of Pediatrics, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Padukudru Anand Mahesh
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Medical College, JSSAHER, Mysuru, India
| | - Sushil K. Kabra
- Dept of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sabir Mohammed
- Dept of Pulmonary Medicine, Kothari Medical College and Research Institute, Bikaner, India
| | | | | | - Monica Barne
- Pulmocare Research and Education Foundation, Pune, India
| | - Sanjeev Sinha
- Dept of Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sanjay K. Kochar
- Dept of Pulmonary Medicine, Kothari Medical College and Research Institute, Bikaner, India
| | - Nishtha Singh
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Asthma Bhawan, Jaipur, India
| | | | | | - Arvind Kumar Sharma
- Dept of Community Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | | | - Anil Chauhan
- Dept of Telemedicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Niranjan Sit
- National Allergy Asthma Bronchitis Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Jayaraj B. Siddaiah
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Medical College, JSSAHER, Mysuru, India
| | - Virendra Singh
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Asthma Bhawan, Jaipur, India
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9
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Kalayci O, Miligkos M, Pozo Beltrán CF, El-Sayed ZA, Gómez RM, Hossny E, Le Souef P, Nieto A, Phipatanakul W, Pitrez PM, Xepapadaki P, Jiu-Yao W, Papadopoulos NG. The role of environmental allergen control in the management of asthma. World Allergy Organ J 2022; 15:100634. [PMID: 35341023 PMCID: PMC8917313 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2022.100634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergen exposure may exacerbate asthma symptoms in sensitized patients. Allergen reduction or avoidance measures have been widely utilized; however, there is ongoing controversy on the effectiveness of specific allergen control measures in the management of children with asthma. Often, allergen avoidance strategies are not recommended by guidelines because they can be complex or burdensome, although individual patients may benefit. Here we explore the potential for intervention against exposure to the major allergens implicated in asthma (ie, house dust mites, indoor molds, rodents, cockroaches, furry pets, and outdoor molds and pollens), and subsequent effects on asthma symptoms. We critically assess the available evidence regarding the clinical benefits of specific environmental control measures for each allergen. Finally, we underscore the need for standardized and multifaceted approaches in research and real-life settings, which would result in the identification of more personalized and beneficial prevention strategies.
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10
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Coulburn L, Miller W. Prevalence, Risk Factors and Impacts Related to Mould-Affected Housing: An Australian Integrative Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:1854. [PMID: 35162876 PMCID: PMC8835129 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In response to an Australian governmental inquiry into biotoxin-related illness, the purpose of this integrative review is to bring together the current state of evidence on the prevalence, risk factors and impacts related to mould-affected housing in an Australian context, in order to inform building, housing and health research, practice and policy. The robust integrative review methodology simultaneously sought quantitative and qualitative studies and grey literature from multiple disciplines, identifying only 45 studies directly relating to Australian housing and indoor mould. Twenty-one studies highlight negative health impacts relating to indoor residential mould, with asthma, respiratory, allergy conditions and emerging health concerns for chronic multiple-symptom presentation. The majority of studies reported risk factors for indoor mould including poor housing conditions, poor-quality rental accommodation, socioeconomic circumstance, age-related housing issues and concerns for surface/interstitial condensation and building defects in newer housing. Risks for indoor mould in both older and newer housing raise concerns for the extent of the problem of indoor mould in Australia. Understanding the national prevalence of housing risks and "root cause" associated with indoor mould is not conclusive from the limited existing evidence. Synthesis of this evidence reveals a lack of coverage on: (1) national and geographical representation, (2) climatical coverage, (3) housing typologies, (4) housing defects, (5) maintenance, (6) impact from urbanisation, and (7) occupant's behaviour. This integrative review was key in identifying emerging housing and health concerns, highlighting gaps in data and implications to be addressed by researchers, practice and policy and acts as a comprehensive holistic review process that can be applied to other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Coulburn
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Wendy Miller
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
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Brandt O, Wegenstein B, Müller I, Smith D, Nqweniso S, Adams L, Müller S, du Randt R, Pühse U, Gerber M, Navarini AA, Utzinger J, Daniel Labhardt N, Schindler C, Walter C. Association between allergic sensitization and intestinal parasite infection in schoolchildren in Gqeberha, South Africa. Clin Exp Allergy 2022; 52:670-683. [PMID: 35073608 PMCID: PMC9310757 DOI: 10.1111/cea.14100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Inconsistent data exist regarding the influence of parasitic infection on the prevalence of allergic sensitization and disorders. Objective To investigate the impact of geohelminth and protozoan infections on sensitization patterns and allergic symptoms of children living in low‐income communities in Gqeberha, South Africa. Methods In a cross‐sectional study, 587 schoolchildren aged 8–12 years were recruited in June 2016 and screened for reactivity to common allergens by skin prick tests (SPTs) and for parasitic infections by stool examination. Additionally, questionnaires were completed to record allergic symptoms the children may have experienced. Results Positive SPTs were found in 237/587 children (40.4%), and about one‐third of whom were polysensitized. Sensitizations were most frequently detected against the house dust mites (HDM) Dermatophagoides spp. (31.9%) and Blomia tropicalis (21.0%). Infections with geohelminths (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura) were found in 26.8% and protozoan infections (Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidia spp.) in 13.9% of study participants. Mixed logistic regression analyses revealed negative associations between parasite infection and sensitization to Blomia tropicalis (OR: 0.54, 95% CI 0.33–0.89) and to Dermatophagoides spp. (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.43–0.96), and between protozoan infection and allergic sensitization to any aeroallergen, although these associations were not significant when adjusted for false discovery. Geohelminth infection and intensity of geohelminth infection were both associated with reduced risk of polysensitization (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.21–0.86), and this association remained significant with adjustment for false discovery. Reported respiratory symptoms were associated with HDM sensitization (ORs from 1.54 to 2.48), but not with parasite infection. Conclusions and clinical relevance Our data suggest that geohelminth infection and high geohelminth infection intensity are associated with a reduced risk of polysensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Brandt
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy Unit, University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Children's University Hospital of Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Wegenstein
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy Unit, University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Müller
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Danielle Smith
- Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, Ggeberha, South Africa
| | - Siphesihle Nqweniso
- Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, Ggeberha, South Africa
| | - Larissa Adams
- Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, Ggeberha, South Africa
| | - Simon Müller
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rosa du Randt
- Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, Ggeberha, South Africa
| | - Uwe Pühse
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus Gerber
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander A Navarini
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Cheryl Walter
- Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, Ggeberha, South Africa
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12
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Lin Z, Lin S, Neamtiu IA, Ye B, Csobod E, Fazakas E, Gurzau E. Predicting environmental risk factors in relation to health outcomes among school children from Romania using random forest model - An analysis of data from the SINPHONIE project. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 784:147145. [PMID: 33901961 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have simultaneously assessed the health impact of school and home environmental factors on children, since handling multiple highly correlated environmental variables is challenging. In this study, we examined indoor home and school environments in relation to health outcomes using machine learning methods and logistic regression. METHODS We used the data collected by the SINPHONIE (Schools Indoor Pollution and Health: Observatory Network in Europe) project in Romania, a multicenter European research study that collected comprehensive information on school and home environments, health symptoms in children, smoking, and school policies. The health outcomes were categorized as: any health symptoms, asthma, allergy and flu-like symptoms. Both logistic regression and random forest (RF) methods were used to predict the four categories of health outcomes, and the methods prediction performance was compared. RESULTS The RF method we employed for analysis showed that common risk factors for the investigated categories of health outcomes, included: environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), dampness in the indoor school environment, male gender, air freshener use, residence located in proximity of traffic (<200 m), stressful schoolwork, and classroom noise (contributions ranged from 7.91% to 23.12%). Specificity, accuracy and area under the curve (AUC) values for most outcomes were higher when using RF compared to logistic regression, while sensitivity was similar in both methods. CONCLUSION This study suggests that ETS, dampness in the indoor school environment, use of air fresheners, living in proximity to traffic (<200 m) and noise are common environmental risk factors for the investigated health outcomes. RF pointed out better predictive values, sensitivity and accuracy compared to logistic regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqiang Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, One Park Ave, New York, NY 10016, United States of America; Department of Environmental Health Science, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, United States of America
| | - Shao Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Science, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, United States of America; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, United States of America
| | - Iulia A Neamtiu
- Health Department, Environmental Health Center, 58 Busuiocului Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, 30 Fantanele Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Bo Ye
- Department of Environmental Health Science, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, United States of America; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, United States of America
| | - Eva Csobod
- Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), Ady Endre ut 9-11, 2000 Szentendre, Hungary
| | - Emese Fazakas
- Health Department, Environmental Health Center, 58 Busuiocului Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, 30 Fantanele Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Eugen Gurzau
- Health Department, Environmental Health Center, 58 Busuiocului Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, 30 Fantanele Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Cluj School of Public Health - College of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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13
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Norbäck D, Zhang X, Tian L, Zhang Y, Zhang Z, Yang L, Chen X, Zeng Z, Lu C, Zhao Z. Prenatal and perinatal home environment and reported onset of wheeze, rhinitis and eczema symptoms in preschool children in Northern China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 774:145700. [PMID: 33609817 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Early life environment can affect asthma and allergies but few cohort studies on this issue are available from China. Our aim was to investigate reported onset of childhood wheeze, rhinitis and eczema symptoms in relation to prenatal, perinatal and postnatal home environment. Data on home environment and symptoms (ISAAC based questions) in first two years of life and in the past 12 months were reported by parents of the children (3-6 y) in a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in ten day care centers in Taiyuan, northern China (N = 3606). Changes of symptoms from the first 2 years of life to the past 12 months (recall period) were calculated retrospectively. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was applied. Reported onset of wheeze, rhinitis and eczema were 11.8%, 22.2% and 3.3%, respectively. Redecorating during pregnancy increased reported onset of rhinitis (OR = 2.29) and eczema (OR = 4.91). New furniture during pregnancy increased reported onset of rhinitis (OR = 1.47). Perinatal indoor mould increased reported onset of wheeze (OR = 1.51), rhinitis (OR = 1.65) and eczema (OR = 1.91). Perinatal mould odour increased reported onset of wheeze (OR = 1.85). Perinatal window pane condensation increased reported onset of wheeze (OR = 1.54) and rhinitis (OR = 1.24). Perinatal stuffy air and dry air in the home increased reported onset of all three symptoms (ORs 1.46-2.24). Dog keeping increased reported onset of wheeze (OR = 1.69) and eczema (OR = 2.13). Based on principal component analysis, four exposure scores were calculated (renovation, new furniture, mould and indoor air quality scores). Dose-response relationships were observed between these exposure scores and reported onset of symptoms. In conclusion, prenatal and postnatal exposure to emissions from renovation and new furniture can increase reported onset of childhood wheeze, rhinitis and eczema. Perinatal indoor mould, mould odour, condensation on window panes and impaired indoor air quality at home can be associated with reported development of wheeze, rhinitis and eczema in preschoolers in northern China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Norbäck
- Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China; Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China.
| | - Li Tian
- Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yifei Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zefei Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xingyi Chen
- Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhaohua Zeng
- School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Chan Lu
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhuohui Zhao
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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14
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Hou J, Sun Y, Wang P, Zhang Q, Kong X, Sundell J. Associations between ventilation and children's asthma and allergy in naturally ventilated Chinese homes. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:383-391. [PMID: 32939827 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Building ventilation is important for occupants' health. There are few studies of associations between home ventilation and occupant's health in China. During 2013-2016, we measured ventilation in 399 homes in Tianjin and Cangzhou, China, and surveyed the health history of children. Ventilation rates were measured using mass balance of occupant generated CO2 . The associations of home ventilation with children's asthma and allergy were analyzed in different strata of time and space. A low bedroom ventilation at night was significantly associated with an increased proportion of rhinitis among children (rhinitis current, adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-2.49; diagnosed rhinitis, AOR: 3.02 (1.16-7.89)). Our findings suggest a dose-response relationship between ventilation rate at night in children's bedrooms and rhinitis current. The night-time ventilation rate in bedrooms has a greater association with rhinitis than the whole home ventilation rate during daytime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hou
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuexia Sun
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Pan Wang
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qingnan Zhang
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiangrui Kong
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jan Sundell
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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15
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Indoor Microbial Exposures and Chronic Lung Disease: From Microbial Toxins to the Microbiome. Clin Chest Med 2021; 41:777-796. [PMID: 33153695 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Effects of environmental microbial exposures on human health have long been of interest. Microbes were historically assumed to be harmful, but data have suggested that microbial exposures can modulate the immune system. We focus on the effects of indoor environmental microbial exposure on chronic lung diseases. We found contradictory data in bacterial studies using endotoxin as a surrogate for bacterial exposure. Contradictory data also exist in studies of fungal exposure. Many factors may modulate the effect of environmental microbial exposures on lung health, including coexposures. Future studies need to clarify which method of assessing environmental microbial exposures is most relevant.
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16
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Lu C, Norbäck D, Zhang Y, Li B, Zhao Z, Huang C, Zhang X, Qian H, Sun Y, Sundell J, Wang J, Liu W, Deng Q. Onset and remission of eczema at pre-school age in relation to prenatal and postnatal air pollution and home environment across China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:142467. [PMID: 33035972 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We investigated associations between prenatal and postnatal environmental factors and onset and remission of preschool childhood eczema across China. The study population was preschoolers in randomized day care centers in seven cities (N = 39,782). Data on eczema and prenatal and postnatal indoor and outdoor environment were obtained from a cross-sectional questionnaire sent to parents or other guardians. Reports on eczema in the first 2 years and in the past year was used to retrospectively calculate onset and remission (changes of reported eczema). Prenatal and postnatal outdoor temperature, NO2 and PM10 were modelled from official air pollution data. Associations were estimated by two-level logistic regression. Calculated onset rate was 3.2%/y and remission rate 29.2%/y. Exposure to NO2 during pregnancy was associated with onset of eczema, similarly for all trimesters. Postnatal PM10 and NO2 were related to decreased remission. Postnatal outdoor temperature was associated with onset of eczema. Pre-natal and current redecoration or buying new furniture, and perinatal as well as current dampness and indoor mould, were associated with increased onset and decreased remission. Cockroaches in current home was another indoor risk factors. Prenatal exposure to farm environment and large family size were all negatively associated with eczema. In conclusion, a warmer climate and prenatal NO2 can be associated with increased onset of eczema in Chinese preschoolers. Postnatal PM10 and NO2 can be associated with reduced remission. Perinatal and current dampness, indoor mould and cockroaches may increase onset and decrease remission. Exposure to chemical emissions from indoor materials after first year of life may increase onset. Prenatal exposure to farm environment and large family size could be protective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Lu
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Dan Norbäck
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Yinping Zhang
- School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Baizhan Li
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhuohui Zhao
- Department of Environmental Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Huang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hua Qian
- School of Energy & Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuexia Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jan Sundell
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Institute for Health and Environment, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Qihong Deng
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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17
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Suzuki N, Nakaoka H, Nakayama Y, Tsumura K, Takaguchi K, Takaya K, Eguchi A, Hanazato M, Todaka E, Mori C. Association between sum of volatile organic compounds and occurrence of building-related symptoms in humans: A study in real full-scale laboratory houses. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 750:141635. [PMID: 32882497 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that the indoor environment, particularly indoor air quality (IAQ), has significant effects on building-related symptoms (BRSs) in humans, such as irritation of mucosal membranes, headaches, and allergies, such as asthma and atopic dermatitis. In 2017, Chiba University launched the "Chemiless Town Project Phase 3" to investigate the relationship between IAQ and human health. Two laboratory houses (LHs) were built on a university campus in which the interiors and exteriors were similar, but the levels of indoor air volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were different. A total of 141 participants evaluated IAQ using their sensory perception. There was a significant relationship between differences in VOC levels and BRSs occurrence (OR: 6.89, 95% CI: 1.40-33.98). It was suggested that people with a medical history of allergies (OR: 5.73, 95% CI: 1.12-29.32) and those with a high sensitivity to chemicals (OR: 8.82, 95% CI: 1.16-67.16) tended to experience BRSs. Thus, when buildings are constructed, people with a history of allergies or with a sensitivity to chemicals may be at high risk to BRSs, and it is important to pay attention to IAQ to prevent BRSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norimichi Suzuki
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan.
| | - Hiroko Nakaoka
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan; Department of Bioenvironmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Yoshitake Nakayama
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan.
| | - Kayo Tsumura
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan; Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Kohki Takaguchi
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan.
| | - Kazunari Takaya
- National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, 6-21-1 Nagao, Tama-ku, Kawasaki 214-8585, Japan.
| | - Akifumi Eguchi
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan.
| | - Masamichi Hanazato
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan.
| | - Emiko Todaka
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan; Department of Bioenvironmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Chisato Mori
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 6-2-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0882, Japan; Department of Bioenvironmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
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Liu W, Cai J, Huang C, Chang J. Residence proximity to traffic-related facilities is associated with childhood asthma and rhinitis in Shandong, China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 143:105930. [PMID: 32634669 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Associations of asthma and rhinitis with residential traffic proximity were investigated in several studies, but conclusions were inconsistent. From January to April in 2015, a cross-sectional study was conducted in two cities of Shandong, China. Parents-reported questionnaires were collected from 69 kindergartens for 3-6-year-olds preschoolers. Here we investigated associations of four traffic-related facilities (main traffic road, automobile 4S shop, filling station, and ground car park) close to residence with childhood asthma and rhinitis under considering individual and residential characteristics. In the two-level (kindergarten-child) mixed-effect logistic regression analyses among 5640 children who did not change residences since birth, filling station close to residence within 100 m (reference: >200 m) was significantly associated with lifetime-ever asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 2.63, 1.28-5.40), wheeze (2.06, 1.35-3.15), rhinitis (1.69, 1.08-2.64) and current (past 12 months prior to the survey) wheeze (2.11, 1.34-3.34) and rhinitis (1.65, 1.05-2.59). Numbers of the facilities close to residence had dose-response relationships with odds of asthma, wheeze and rhinitis symptoms. These dose-response relationships were generally stronger in children whose bedrooms were in the 1st-3rd floors, and in children with low ventilation in bedroom and kitchen, and in children from families who did not using natural gas for cooking. The similar associations were found in the sensitive analyses among all surveyed 9597 children. Our results indicate that residence close to the traffic-related facilities likely is a risk factor for the occurrence of asthma and rhinitis among preschool children. The studied associations could be modified by household ventilation and air pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Institute for Health and Environment, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiao Cai
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chen Huang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Chang
- Department of Thermal Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan, China.
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Cai J, Li B, Yu W, Yao Y, Wang L, Li B, Wang Y, Du C, Xiong J. Associations of household dampness with asthma, allergies, and airway diseases among preschoolers in two cross-sectional studies in Chongqing, China: Repeated surveys in 2010 and 2019. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 140:105752. [PMID: 32371306 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Many studies have investigated the associations between household damp indicators, and allergies and respiratory diseases in childhood. However, the findings are rather inconsistent. In 2010, we conducted a cross-sectional study of preschoolers aged three-six years in three urban districts of Chongqing, China. In 2019, we repeated this cross-sectional study with preschoolers of the same ages and districts. Here, we selected data for 2935 and 2717 preschoolers who did not change residences since birth in the 2010 and 2019 studies, respectively. We investigated associations of household damp indicators with asthma, allergic rhinitis, pneumonia, eczema, wheeze, and rhinitis in childhood in the two studies. The proportions of residences with household damp indicators and the prevalence of the studied diseases (except for allergic rhinitis) were significantly lower in 2019 than in 2010. In the two-level (district-child) logistic regression analyses, household damp exposures that showed by different indicators were significantly associated with the increased odds of lifetime-ever asthma (range of adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.69-3.50 in 2019; 1.13-1.90 in 2010), allergic rhinitis (1.14-2.39; 0.67-1.61), pneumonia (1.09-1.64; 1.21-1.59), eczema (0.96-1.83; 0.99-1.56), wheeze (1.64-2.79; 1.18-1.91), rhinitis (1.43-2.71; 1.08-1.58), and current (in the past 12 months before the survey) eczema (0.46-2.08; 0.99-1.48), wheeze (0.97-2.86; 1.26-2.07) and rhinitis (1.34-2.25; 1.09-1.56) in most cases. The increased odds ratios (ORs) of most diseases had exposure-response relationships with the cumulative number (n) of household damp indicators in the current and early residences. Our results indicated household damp exposure could be a risk factor for childhood allergic and respiratory diseases, although the magnitudes of these effects could be different in different studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Cai
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Baizhan Li
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Wei Yu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yinghui Yao
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lexiang Wang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bicheng Li
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yujue Wang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chenqiu Du
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Xiong
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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The Roles of Autoimmunity and Biotoxicosis in Sick Building Syndrome as a "Starting Point" for Irreversible Dampness and Mold Hypersensitivity Syndrome. Antibodies (Basel) 2020; 9:antib9020026. [PMID: 32580407 PMCID: PMC7345570 DOI: 10.3390/antib9020026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The terminology of "sick building syndrome" (SBS), meaning that a person may feel sick in a certain building, but when leaving the building, the symptoms will reverse, is imprecise. Many different environmental hazards may cause the feeling of sickness, such as high indoor air velocity, elevated noise, low or high humidity, vapors or dust. The Aim: To describe SBS in connection with exposure to indoor air dampness microbiota (DM). Methods: A search through Medline/Pubmed. Results and Conclusions: Chronic course of SBS may be avoided. By contrast, persistent or cumulative exposure to DM may make SBS potentially life-threatening and lead to irreversible dampness and mold hypersensitivity syndrome (DMHS). The corner feature of DMHS is acquired by dysregulation of the immune system in the direction of hypersensitivities (types I-IV) and simultaneous deprivation of immunity that manifests as increased susceptibility to infections. DMHS is a systemic low-grade inflammation and a biotoxicosis. There is already some evidence that DMHS may be linked to autoimmunity. Autoantibodies towards, e.g., myelin basic protein, myelin-associated glycoprotein, ganglioside GM1, smooth muscle cells and antinuclear autoantibodies were reported in mold-related illness. DMHS is also a mitochondropathy and endocrinopathy. The association of autoimmunity with DMHS should be confirmed through cohort studies preferably using chip-based technology.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Sensitization and exposure to triggers in the indoor environment, including aeroallergens, indoor air pollution, and environmental tobacco smoke, have a significant role in asthma development and morbidity. This review discusses indoor environmental exposures and their effect on children with asthma as well as environmental interventions and their role in improving asthma morbidity. RECENT FINDINGS Recent research has emphasized the role of aeroallergen sensitization and exposure in asthma morbidity and the importance of the school indoor environment. There is an established association between indoor exposures and asthma development and morbidity. Recent evidence has highlighted the importance of the indoor environment in childhood asthma, particularly the role of the school indoor environment. While home environmental interventions have had mixed results, interventions in the school environment have the potential to significantly impact the health of children, and ongoing research is needed to determine their effectiveness.
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Testa D, DI Bari M, Nunziata M, Cristofaro GDE, Massaro G, Marcuccio G, Motta G. Allergic rhinitis and asthma assessment of risk factors in pediatric patients: A systematic review. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 129:109759. [PMID: 31734564 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.109759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most prevalent allergic disease in children and can be associated with asthma (A); this association can have significant effect on child's quality of life. The objective of this work was to systematically review existing literature on the risk factors of AR and A in children to better understand the link between these two diseases. We performed a literature search over the last 25 years in PubMed and Medline. Inclusion criteria comprised English language papers containing original human data with greater than 30 subjects and papers that statistically analyze the relationship between AR and A and the risk factor(s), in children population. A statistically significant correlation was found between children with AR and A and ambient Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons exposure, live in an industrialized city with elevated traffic, dampness and moulds exposure, electric cooking, male gender, single nucleotide polymorphisms in PTNP22 gene and CTLA-4 gene, fast food and margarine products consumption, use of paracetamol in last year, history of tuberculosis, parental atopy, high total serum IgE, antibiotics in uterus and infections in uterus exposure, history of formula feeding and caesarian section. A strong and complex link between AR and A was accounted: A represents a major risk factor for the onset of AR, that correlates with more severe asthmatic symptoms. Even the onset of A in a child with AR worsen it. The interaction of genetic and environmental risk factors and the consequent epigenetic, microbiota and immunological changes, were found to led to the development of AR and A in children, with both atopic and non-atopic pathways. Close monitoring of evidenced risk factors may help with an early recognize and treat A in patients with AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Testa
- Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, Surgical and Emergency Science, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Matteo DI Bari
- Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, Surgical and Emergency Science, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Nunziata
- Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, Surgical and Emergency Science, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Generoso DE Cristofaro
- Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, Surgical and Emergency Science, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Massaro
- Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, Surgical and Emergency Science, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Marcuccio
- Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, Surgical and Emergency Science, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
| | - Gaetano Motta
- Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, Surgical and Emergency Science, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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Pembrey L, Waiblinger D, Griffiths P, Wright J. Age at cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus and varicella zoster virus infection and risk of atopy: The Born in Bradford cohort, UK. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2019; 30:604-613. [PMID: 31188509 PMCID: PMC6771608 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of allergic diseases has increased in recent decades, but the causes remain unclear. Changes in the epidemiology of childhood infections could have contributed, but the current evidence is inconclusive. This study aims to investigate whether age at cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection is associated with the development of atopy. METHODS A total of 2559 children were enrolled in the Born in Bradford Allergy and Infection Study. Serum samples collected at 12 and 24 months were tested for CMV-IgG, EBV-IgG and VZV-IgG for 1000 children to establish age at infection. Skin prick testing (SPT) was conducted at age 4 years. RESULTS Serology and SPT results were available for 740 children. Of these, 135 (18%) were atopic. In girls, there was a strong association of CMV infection in the second year with increased odds of atopy (adjusted OR 4.38, 95% CI 1.87-10.29) but this was not observed in boys. Age at EBV or VZV infection was not associated with risk of atopy in unadjusted analysis, but there was effect modification by sex; girls infected with VZV in the second year of life had increased odds of atopy (adjusted OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.29-6.30). CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight potential sex-specific effects of age at CMV infection and age at VZV infection on risk of atopy, which provide insight into the mechanisms involved in the development of atopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Pembrey
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Paul Griffiths
- Centre for Virology, University College London Medical School, London, UK
| | - John Wright
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford, UK
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Wang J, Zhao Z, Zhang Y, Li B, Huang C, Zhang X, Deng Q, Lu C, Qian H, Yang X, Sun Y, Sundell J, Norbäck D. Asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among parents of preschool children in relation to climate, and dampness and mold in dwellings in China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 130:104910. [PMID: 31226554 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.104910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The main aim was to study associations between asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among adults across China and dampness and mold at home. Young adults (N = 40,279) in eight cities in China answered a questionnaire in 2010-2012 (response rate 75.0%). Data on asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema and the home environment was assessed by the questionnaire. Climate data was obtained from China Meteorological Administration and the website of Weather Underground. Health associations were analyzed by two-level logistic regression models, adjusting for covariates. Totally 1.6% had asthma, 6.6% allergic rhinitis and 2.2% eczema. Mold odor was associated with asthma (OR = 1.90) and allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.25-1.44). Window pane condensation in winter was associated with asthma (OR = 1.39), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.26-1.58) and eczema (OR = 1.36-1.77). Presence of mold spots or damp stains was related to asthma (OR = 1.58-2.49), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.35-1.76) and eczema (OR = 1.47-1.70). Water damage was related to asthma (OR = 1.69-1.82), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.40-1.45) and eczema (OR = 1.44-1.96). Damp bed clothing was related to asthma (OR = 1.23), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.23) and eczema (OR = 1.35). A higher dampness score was associated with increased odds ratios for diseases. Those living in older buildings had more asthma (OR = 1.39-1.76) and allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.16-1.21). Those living in suburban or rural areas had less asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema as compared to those living in urban areas (OR values from 0.24 to 0.66). Stronger health associations with dampness and mold were found in southern China and in newer buildings (constructed after 2005). In conclusion, dampness and mold at home can be risk factors for asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among adults in China. Living in older buildings can be risk factors for asthma or allergic rhinitis while living in less urbanized areas can be protective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Zhuohui Zhao
- Department of Environmental Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinping Zhang
- School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Baizhan Li
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chen Huang
- Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Research Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Qihong Deng
- Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China; School of Energy Science and engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chan Lu
- Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China; School of Energy Science and engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hua Qian
- School of Energy Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuexia Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jan Sundell
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dan Norbäck
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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25
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Milanzi EB, Koppelman GH, Smit HA, Wijga AH, Vonk JM, Brunekreef B, Gehring U. Role of timing of exposure to pets and dampness or mould on asthma and sensitization in adolescence. Clin Exp Allergy 2019; 49:1352-1361. [PMID: 31336400 DOI: 10.1111/cea.13471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pet and dampness or mould exposure are considered risk factors for asthma and sensitization. It is unclear whether timing of exposure to these factors is differentially associated with asthma risk and sensitization in adolescence. OBJECTIVE We investigated the role of timing of pet and dampness or mould exposure in asthma and sensitization in adolescence. Understanding this role is essential to build targeted prevention strategies. METHODS We used data from 1871 participants of the Dutch Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) cohort. Residential exposure to pets, dampness or mould was assessed by repeated parental questionnaires. We used asthma data from the 17-year questionnaire and sensitization data from the 16-year medical examination. We characterized timing using longitudinal exposure patterns from pregnancy till age 17 using longitudinal latent class growth modelling. We used logistic regression models to analyse associations of exposure patterns with asthma at age 17 and sensitization at age 16. RESULTS For none of the time windows, exposure to pets and dampness or mould was associated with asthma at age 17, but a lower sensitization risk at age 16 was suggested, for example the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for sensitization was 0.63 (0.35-1.11) and 0.69 (0.44-1.08) for early life and persistently high pet exposure, respectively, compared with very low exposure. An inverse association was also suggested for sensitization and moderate early childhood dampness or mould exposure (0.71 [0.42-1.19]). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Different timing of pet and dampness or mould exposure was not associated with asthma, but lower risk of sensitization in adolescence was suggested, which could be partly attributable to reversed causation. Current findings are not sufficient to recommend pet avoidance to prevent allergic disease. More prospective studies are needed to obtain insights that can be used in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith B Milanzi
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard H Koppelman
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henriette A Smit
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alet H Wijga
- Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Judith M Vonk
- Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Brunekreef
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrike Gehring
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Schaller A, Delmas C, De Blay F. [Allergic respiratory diseases related to mould in the home]. Rev Mal Respir 2019; 36:889-901. [PMID: 31303366 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmr.2018.10.619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to mould is a potential risk factor for asthma in both adults and children. In adult, the relation between exposure, sensitization and symptoms has been demonstrated in severe asthmatics sensitized to Alternaria. For children, exposure to mould in childhood is a risk factor for asthma in both atopic and non-atopic individuals. Exposure or sensitization to moulds are a risk factor for severe asthma and/or exacerbations in children. There appears to be a causal relationship between exposure and asthma. This link seems less significant in adults. However, in adults mould sensitive asthma seems to determine a phenotype of severe asthma associated with more marked obstructive lung disease. Moulds can stimulate either innate or the acquired immunity. They are responsible for a marked Th2 inflammation leading to more severe asthma. Besides the immunological mechanisms, toxic mechanisms can also intervene. It is therefore not correct to reduce the effect of moulds, particularly in respiratory symptoms, to only allergic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Schaller
- Pôle de pathologie thoracique, service de pneumologie, Nouvel hôpital civil, 1, place de l'hôpital, 67094 Strasbourg cedex, France.
| | - C Delmas
- Pôle de pathologie thoracique, service de pneumologie, Nouvel hôpital civil, 1, place de l'hôpital, 67094 Strasbourg cedex, France
| | - F De Blay
- Pôle de pathologie thoracique, service de pneumologie, Nouvel hôpital civil, 1, place de l'hôpital, 67094 Strasbourg cedex, France; EA 3072, Fédération de médecine translationnelle, FHU OMICARE université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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27
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Cai J, Li B, Yu W, Wang H, Du C, Zhang Y, Huang C, Zhao Z, Deng Q, Yang X, Zhang X, Qian H, Sun Y, Liu W, Wang J, Yang Q, Zeng F, Norbäck D, Sundell J. Household dampness-related exposures in relation to childhood asthma and rhinitis in China: A multicentre observational study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 126:735-746. [PMID: 30878869 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
During 2010-2012, we conducted an observational study on household environment and health outcomes among 40,010 preschool children from seven cities of China. Here we examined associations of six dampness-related indicators (visible mold spots, visible damp stains, damp clothing and/or bedding, water damage, condensation on windowpane, moldy odor) in the current residence and three dampness-related indicators (visible mold spots, condensation on windowpane, moldy odor) in the early residence with childhood asthma and rhinitis. In the multi-level logistic regression analyses, visible mold spots and visible damp stains in the current residence were significantly associated with the increased odds of doctor-diagnosed asthma and allergic rhinitis during lifetime-ever (adjusted odd ratios (AORs) range: 1.18-1.35). All dampness-related indicators were significantly associated with increased odds of wheeze and rhinitis during lifetime-ever and in the past 12 months (AORs range: 1.16-2.64). The cumulative numbers of damp indicators had positively dose-response relationships with the increased odds of the studied diseases. These associations for wheeze and rhinitis were similar between northern children and southern children. Similar results were found in the sensitive analyses among children without a family history of allergies and among children without asthma and allergic rhinitis. For 3-6 years-old children in mainland of China in 2011, we speculated that about 90,000 (2.02%) children with asthma and about 59,000 (1.09%) children with allergic rhinitis could be attributable to exposing to visible mold spots in the current residence. Our results suggested that early and lifetime exposures to household dampness indicators are risk factors for childhood asthma and rhinitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Cai
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Baizhan Li
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Wei Yu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Han Wang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chenqiu Du
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yinping Zhang
- School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Huang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuohui Zhao
- School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qihong Deng
- School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xu Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Research Center for Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hua Qian
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuexia Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751, Sweden
| | - Qin Yang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fanbin Zeng
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Norbäck
- Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751, Sweden
| | - Jan Sundell
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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Household Fuel Use for Heating and Cooking and Respiratory Health in a Low-Income, South African Coastal Community. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16040550. [PMID: 30769843 PMCID: PMC6406283 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16040550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In low-income communities, non-electric fuel sources are typically the main cause of Household Air Pollution (HAP). In Umlazi, a South African coastal, informal settlement, households use electric- and non-electric (coal, wood, gas, paraffin) energy sources for cooking and heating. The study aimed to determine whether respiratory ill health status varied by fuel type use. Using a questionnaire, respondents reported on a range of socio-demographic characteristics, dwelling type, energy use for cooking and heating as well as respiratory health symptoms. Multivariate Poisson regression was used to obtain the adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) for the effects of electric and non-electric energy sources on prevalence of respiratory infections considering potential confounding factors. Among the 245 households that participated, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI, n = 27) were prevalent in respondents who used non-electric sources compared to electric sources for heating and cooking. There were statistically significant effects of non-electric sources for heating (adjusted OR = 3.6, 95% CI (confidence interval): 1.2⁻10.1, p < 0.05) and cooking (adjusted OR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.1⁻7.9, p < 0.05) on prevalence of URTIs. There was a statistically significant effect of electric sources for heating (adjusted OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.1⁻6.4, p < 0.05) on prevalence of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs) but no evidence for relations between non-electric sources for heating and LRTIs, and electric or non-electric fuel use type for cooking and LRTIs. Energy switching, mixing or stacking could be common in these households that likely made use of multiple energy sources during a typical month depending on access to and availability of electricity, funds to pay for the energy source as well as other socio-economic or cultural factors. The importance of behaviour and social determinants of health in relation to HAP is emphasized.
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Can environment or allergy explain international variation in prevalence of wheeze in childhood? Eur J Epidemiol 2018; 34:509-520. [PMID: 30415436 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-018-0463-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Asthma prevalence in children varies substantially around the world, but the contribution of known risk factors to this international variation is uncertain. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase Two studied 8-12 year old children in 30 centres worldwide with parent-completed symptom and risk factor questionnaires and aeroallergen skin prick testing. We used multilevel logistic regression modelling to investigate the effect of adjustment for individual and ecological risk factors on the between-centre variation in prevalence of recent wheeze. Adjustment for single individual-level risk factors changed the centre-level variation from a reduction of up to 8.4% (and 8.5% for atopy) to an increase of up to 6.8%. Modelling the 11 most influential environmental factors among all children simultaneously, the centre-level variation changed little overall (2.4% increase). Modelling only factors that decreased the variance, the 6 most influential factors (synthetic and feather quilt, mother's smoking, heating stoves, dampness and foam pillows) in combination resulted in a 21% reduction in variance. Ecological (centre-level) risk factors generally explained higher proportions of the variation than did individual risk factors. Single environmental factors and aeroallergen sensitisation measured at the individual (child) level did not explain much of the between-centre variation in wheeze prevalence.
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Bonner K, Roberts G. Does allergy explain why some children have severe asthma? Clin Exp Allergy 2018; 48:1594-1605. [PMID: 30019503 DOI: 10.1111/cea.13234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is a common disease in childhood with a minority of affected children having severe therapy-resistant asthma (STRA). Children with STRA can be differentiated from those with mild-moderate disease by greater allergic sensitization, increased eosinophilic airway inflammation, increased airway remodelling and reduced corticosteroid responsiveness. The aetiology of STRA in children is multifactorial but allergy seems to play a key role. Many children with asthma have coexisting allergic disease, and severe rhinitis seems to be an important driver of STRA in children. Allergies to foods, moulds, pollen and pets have also been associated with severe asthma exacerbations. Identifying allergens that are driving asthma symptoms in children with STRA may provide additional strategies for improving their disease control. Avoidance strategies may be possible. Additional monoclonal antibody therapy with Omalizumab or Mepolizumab may be helpful in children with clinically important polysensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Bonner
- Wexham Park Hospital, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Slough, UK.,Clinical and Experimental Sciences and Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Graham Roberts
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences and Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.,The David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, St Mary's Hospital, Isle of Wight, UK
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Mendell MJ, Macher JM, Kumagai K. Measured moisture in buildings and adverse health effects: A review. INDOOR AIR 2018; 28:488-499. [PMID: 29683210 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
It has not yet been possible to quantify dose-related health risks attributable to indoor dampness or mold (D/M), to support setting specific health-related limits for D/M. An overlooked target for assessing D/M is moisture in building materials, the critical factor allowing microbial growth. A search for studies of quantified building moisture and occupant health effects identified 3 eligible studies. Two studies assessed associations between measured wall moisture content and respiratory health in the UK. Both reported dose-related increases in asthma exacerbation with higher measured moisture, with 1 study reporting an adjusted odds ratio of 7.0 for night-time asthma symptoms with higher bedroom moisture. The third study assessed relationships between infrared camera-determined wall moisture and atopic dermatitis in South Korea, reporting an adjusted odds ratio of 14.5 for water-damaged homes and moderate or severe atopic dermatitis. Measuring building moisture has, despite extremely limited available findings, potential promise for detecting unhealthy D/M in homes and merits more research attention. Further research to validate these findings should include measured "water activity," which directly assesses moisture availability for microbial growth. Ultimately, evidence-based, health-related thresholds for building moisture, across specific materials and measurement devices, could better guide assessment and remediation of D/M in buildings.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Mendell
- Indoor Air Quality Section, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - J M Macher
- Indoor Air Quality Section, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - K Kumagai
- Indoor Air Quality Section, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
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Järvi K, Hyvärinen A, Täubel M, Karvonen AM, Turunen M, Jalkanen K, Patovirta R, Syrjänen T, Pirinen J, Salonen H, Nevalainen A, Pekkanen J. Microbial growth in building material samples and occupants' health in severely moisture-damaged homes. INDOOR AIR 2018; 28:287-297. [PMID: 29151276 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
There is no commonly approved approach to detect and quantify the health-relevant microbial exposure in moisture-damaged buildings. In 39 single-family homes with severe moisture damage, we studied whether concentrations of viable microbes in building material samples are associated with health among 71 adults and 68 children, and assessed with symptoms questionnaires, exhaled NO, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) variability. Symptoms were grouped into three scores: upper respiratory symptoms, lower respiratory symptoms, and general symptoms. The homes were divided into three groups based on viable counts of fungi, actinomycetes, and total bacteria cultivated from building material samples. Highest group of actinomycete counts was associated with more general symptoms, worse perceived health, and higher daily PEF variability (aOR 12.51; 1.10-141.90 as compared to the lowest group) among adults, and with an increase in lower respiratory symptoms in children, but the confidence intervals were wide. We observed significant associations of fungal counts and total microbial score with worse perceived health in adults. No associations with exhaled NO were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Järvi
- Environmental Health Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
- School of Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - A Hyvärinen
- Environmental Health Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - M Täubel
- Environmental Health Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - A M Karvonen
- Environmental Health Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - M Turunen
- Environmental Health Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - K Jalkanen
- Environmental Health Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - R Patovirta
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - T Syrjänen
- The Organisation for Respiratory Health in Finland, Helsinki, Finland
| | - J Pirinen
- The Organisation for Respiratory Health in Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Ministry of Environment, Helsinki, Finland
| | - H Salonen
- School of Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - A Nevalainen
- Environmental Health Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - J Pekkanen
- Environmental Health Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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33
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Tuuminen T, Lohi J. Immunological and toxicological effects of bad indoor air to cause dampness and Mold Hypersensitivity Syndrome. AIMS ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.3934/allergy.2018.4.190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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He Y, Luo Q, Ge P, Chen G, Wang H. Review on Mould Contamination and Hygrothermal Effect in Indoor Environment. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.4236/jep.2018.92008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Ahlroth Pind C, Gunnbjörnsdottír M, Bjerg A, Järvholm B, Lundbäck B, Malinovschi A, Middelveld R, Sommar JN, Norbäck D, Janson C. Patient-reported signs of dampness at home may be a risk factor for chronic rhinosinusitis: A cross-sectional study. Clin Exp Allergy 2017; 47:1383-1389. [PMID: 28695715 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An association between dampness at home and respiratory conditions has been convincingly demonstrated in children. Fewer studies have been performed in adults, and data are lacking for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). With a prevalence of 10.9% in Europe, CRS imposes a significant burden on quality of life, as well as economy. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to study CRS and other respiratory conditions in relation to dampness at home in a representative sample of adults. METHODS The Swedish GA2 LEN questionnaire was answered by 26 577 adults (16-75 years) and included questions on respiratory symptoms, smoking, education and environmental exposure. CRS was defined according to the EP3 OS criteria. Dampness was defined as reporting water damage, floor dampness or visible moulds in the home during the last 12 months. The dampness score was ranked from 0 to 3, counting the number of signs of dampness reported. RESULTS Dampness at home was reported by 11.3% and was independently related to respiratory conditions after adjustment for demographic and socio-economic factors and smoking: CRS odds ratio (OR) 1.71; allergic rhinitis OR 1.24; current asthma OR 1.21; wheeze OR 1.37; nocturnal dyspnoea OR 1.80; nocturnal coughing OR 1.34; and chronic bronchitis OR 1.64. The risk of CRS and most of the other respiratory conditions was further elevated in subjects reporting multiple signs of dampness. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study demonstrated an independent association between dampness at home and CRS in adults. The high burden of this and the other respiratory conditions studied is a strong argument in favour of countering indoor dampness by improving building standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ahlroth Pind
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - M Gunnbjörnsdottír
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Respiratory Medicine and Sleep, Landspitali - The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - A Bjerg
- The Centre for Allergy Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Krefting Research Centre, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - B Järvholm
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - B Lundbäck
- Krefting Research Centre, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - A Malinovschi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Physiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - R Middelveld
- The Centre for Allergy Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,The Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Nilsson Sommar
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - D Norbäck
- Department of Medical Sciences, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - C Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Bolat E, Arikoglu T, Sungur MA, Batmaz SB, Kuyucu S. Prevalence and risk factors for wheezing and allergic diseases in preschool children: A perspective from the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2017; 45:362-368. [PMID: 28410872 DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2016] [Revised: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of allergic diseases in preschool children from one of the biggest cities in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey. METHODS The study population included 396 preschool children attending to urban daycare centres in Mersin. In the first stage, a comprehensive standardised questionnaire modified from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was employed. In the second stage, serum food and inhalant specific IgE, and skin tests were performed in 45 children with frequent wheezing and 28 children with no wheezing. RESULTS The prevalence of ever wheezing, current wheezing, physician-diagnosed asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema were 53% (210), 33.3% (132), 27.3% (108), 13.4% (53) and 8.3% (33), respectively. A family history of atopy (OR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.3-4.7, p=0.004), dampness at home (OR=2.4, 95% CI: 1.2-4.8, p=0.008), a history of intestinal parasites (OR=4.3, 95% CI: 1.7-10.9, p=0.002), previous history of pneumonia (OR=6.9, 95% CI: 1.9-25.9, p=0.004), initiation of complementary foods before the age of three months (OR=6.1, 95%CI: 1.4-26.9, p=0.02) and presence of food allergy (OR=3.1, 95% CI: 1.1-9.2, p=0.03) were found to be significant risk factors for physician-diagnosed asthma. The risk factors for frequent wheezing were maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR=5.2, 95% CI: 0.9-28.7, p=0.05) and high serum IgE levels (OR=2.9, 95% CI: 0.9-9.0, p=0.05) at borderline significance. CONCLUSION Our study was the first epidemiological study in preschool children in the Mediterranean region of Turkey and demonstrated a high prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases, probably related to humid climatic properties in addition to other environmental and genetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Bolat
- Metrolife Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Urfa, Turkey
| | - T Arikoglu
- Mersin University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Mersin, Turkey.
| | - M A Sungur
- Düzce University, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Düzce, Turkey
| | - S B Batmaz
- Tokat State Hospital, Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Tokat, Turkey
| | - S Kuyucu
- Mersin University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Mersin, Turkey
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Thacher JD, Gruzieva O, Pershagen G, Melén E, Lorentzen JC, Kull I, Bergström A. Mold and dampness exposure and allergic outcomes from birth to adolescence: data from the BAMSE cohort. Allergy 2017; 72:967-974. [PMID: 27925656 PMCID: PMC5434946 DOI: 10.1111/all.13102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to moldy or damp indoor environments is associated with allergic disease in young children, but it is unclear whether the effects persist to adolescence. Our objective was to assess whether exposure to mold or dampness during infancy increases the risk of asthma, rhinitis, or IgE sensitization in children followed from birth to 16 years of age. METHODS We collected questionnaire derived reports of mold or dampness indicators and allergic outcomes from 3798 children in a Swedish birth cohort (BAMSE). Sensitization was assessed from blood samples in 3293 children. Longitudinal associations between prevalent asthma, rhinitis, and IgE sensitization and mold or dampness indicators were assessed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS Exposure to any mold or dampness indicator was associated with asthma up to 16 years of age (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.08-1.59), while exposure to mold odor (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.03-1.62) and visible mold (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.04-1.58) were associated with rhinitis. Increased risks were observed for nonallergic asthma (OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.27-2.55) and rhinitis (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.03-1.93). No association was observed between mold or dampness indicators and IgE sensitization. Exposure to any mold or dampness indicator was associated with persistent asthma (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.20-2.50), but not with early-transient or late-onset asthma. CONCLUSION Exposure to mold or dampness during infancy increased the risk of asthma and rhinitis up to 16 years of age, particularly for nonallergic disease. Early exposure to mold or dampness appeared particularly associated with persistent asthma through adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. D. Thacher
- Institute of Environmental Medicine; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - O. Gruzieva
- Institute of Environmental Medicine; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - G. Pershagen
- Institute of Environmental Medicine; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine; Stockholm County Council; Stockholm Sweden
| | - E. Melén
- Institute of Environmental Medicine; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
- Sachs’ Children's and Youths Hospital; Södersjukhuset; Stockholm Sweden
| | - J. C. Lorentzen
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine; Stockholm County Council; Stockholm Sweden
| | - I. Kull
- Institute of Environmental Medicine; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
- Sachs’ Children's and Youths Hospital; Södersjukhuset; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science and Education; Södersjukhuset; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - A. Bergström
- Institute of Environmental Medicine; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
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Paton J, Bindels P, McMurray A, Biggins J, Nantanda R, Østergaard MS. A young child with a history of wheeze. NPJ Prim Care Respir Med 2017; 27:19. [PMID: 28303014 PMCID: PMC5434789 DOI: 10.1038/s41533-017-0020-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Revised: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The parents of a 3-year old boy are anxious about their son who has recurring episodes of wheezing. They are frustrated that no one seems to be able to give them answers to their questions and would like a referral to a specialist. Does their son have asthma and what is the prognosis; how can the recurrent wheezing be managed and can the risk of asthma be reduced; are there lifestyle changes that could improve the environment and avoid triggers? Communication and support from the family practice team were essential. Listening to the parents' concerns, explaining the diagnostic uncertainty, being realistic about what drug treatments could achieve, and providing practical advice on inhaler use and trigger avoidance reassured the parents that there was a strategy for managing their son's wheeze. The specialist referral was postponed.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Paton
- School of Medicine Dentistry & Nursing, Child Health, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, University of Glasgow, Zone 1, Ground Floor, Office Block, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Patrick Bindels
- Department of General Practice, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ann McMurray
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Sciennes Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1LF, Scotland, UK
| | - Jodie Biggins
- Patient and Public Involvement Group, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Doorway 3, Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, UK
| | - Rebecca Nantanda
- Makerere University Lung Institute Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Marianne Stubbe Østergaard
- The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Oluwole O, Arinola GO, Huo D, Olopade CO. Household biomass fuel use, asthma symptoms severity, and asthma underdiagnosis in rural schoolchildren in Nigeria: a cross-sectional observational study. BMC Pulm Med 2017; 17:3. [PMID: 28056916 PMCID: PMC5216579 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-016-0352-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2014, the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) reported that the highest prevalence of symptoms of severe asthma was found in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Nigeria. While exposure to biomass fuel use may be an important risk factor in the development of asthma, its association with asthma symptoms severity has not been well-established. The aim of this study is to extend the spectrum of environmental risk factors that may be contributing towards increasing asthma morbidity, especially asthma symptoms severity in rural schoolchildren in Nigeria and to examine possible asthma underdiagnosis among this population. Methods Authors conducted a cross-sectional survey in three rural communities in Nigeria. Asthma symptoms were defined according to the ISAAC criteria. Information on the types of household fuel used for cooking was used to determine household cooking fuel status. Asthma symptoms severity was defined based on frequencies of wheeze, day- and night-time symptoms, and speech limitations. Logistic regression analyses were used to explore associations. Results A total of 1,690 Nigerian schoolchildren participated in the study. Overall, 37 (2.2%) had diagnosed asthma and 413 (24.4%) had possible asthma (asthma-related symptoms but not diagnosed asthma). Children from biomass fuel households had higher proportion of possible asthma (27.7 vs. 22.2%; p < 0.05) and symptoms of severe asthma (18.2 vs. 7.6%; p = 0.048). In adjusted analyses, biomass fuel use was associated with increased odds of severe symptoms of asthma [odds ratios (OR) = 2.37; 95% CI: 1.16–4.84], but not with possible asthma (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 0.95–1.56). Conclusion In rural Nigerian children with asthma symptoms, the use of biomass fuel for cooking is associated with an increased risk of severe asthma symptoms. There is additional evidence that rural children might be underdiagnosed for asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwafemi Oluwole
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology and the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.,Department of Medicine and The Center for Global Health, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Avenue, MC 6076, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Ganiyu O Arinola
- College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - Dezheng Huo
- Department of Public Health Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christopher O Olopade
- Department of Medicine and The Center for Global Health, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Avenue, MC 6076, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
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40
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Holst GJ, Høst A, Doekes G, Meyer HW, Madsen AM, Plesner KB, Sigsgaard T. Allergy and respiratory health effects of dampness and dampness-related agents in schools and homes: a cross-sectional study in Danish pupils. INDOOR AIR 2016; 26:880-891. [PMID: 26643593 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G. J. Holst
- Section of Environment, Occupation and Health; Aarhus University; Aarhus C Denmark
| | - A. Høst
- H.C. Andersen Children's Hospital; Odense University Hospital; Odense Denmark
| | - G. Doekes
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences; Utrecht University; Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - H. W. Meyer
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; Copenhagen University Hospital; Bispebjerg Denmark
| | - A. M. Madsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - K. B. Plesner
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care; Odense University Hospital; Odense Denmark
| | - T. Sigsgaard
- Section of Environment, Occupation and Health; Aarhus University; Aarhus C Denmark
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41
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Oluwole O, Arinola GO, Huo D, Olopade CO. Biomass fuel exposure and asthma symptoms among rural school children in Nigeria. J Asthma 2016; 54:347-356. [PMID: 27589676 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2016.1227334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 70% of rural Nigerian households rely on biomass fuels for cooking. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) estimates the prevalence of current wheeze among children in Nigeria to have risen from 10.7% in 1999 to approximately 20% in 2014. OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of biomass smoke exposure on asthma symptom prevalence in rural children in Nigeria. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey in rural communities in Nigeria. Asthma symptoms were defined according to ISAAC definitions. Biomass smoke exposure was determined by the types of fuel used for cooking. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between biomass smoke and asthma symptoms. RESULTS The study population comprised 1,690 school children, of which 865 lived in households cooking with biomass and 825 lived in households not using biomass. Asthma symptoms were reported in 481 (28.5%) children. Biomass fuel was associated with increased odds of asthma symptoms. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were 1.38 (95% CI: 1.05-1.80) for nocturnal cough, 1.26 (95% CI: 1.00-1.61) for current wheeze, and 1.33 (95% CI: 1.05-1.69) for report of any asthma-related symptoms. Sex modified the associations between asthma symptoms with biomass fuel: aORs were stronger and significant for males (nocturnal cough = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.24-2.76; current wheeze = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.03-2.13; report of any asthma-related symptoms = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.12-2.28), but weaker and non-significant for females. CONCLUSION The risk of asthma symptoms related to biomass smoke exposure appears to differ by sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwafemi Oluwole
- a Community Health and Epidemiology and the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon , SK , Canada.,d Department of Medicine and The Center for Global Health , University of Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Ganiyu O Arinola
- b College of Medicine, University of Ibadan , Ibadan , Oyo State , Nigeria
| | - Dezheng Huo
- c Department of Public Health Science , University of Chicago , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Christopher O Olopade
- d Department of Medicine and The Center for Global Health , University of Chicago , IL , USA
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42
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Cox-Ganser JM. Indoor dampness and mould health effects - ongoing questions on microbial exposures and allergic versus nonallergic mechanisms. Clin Exp Allergy 2016; 45:1478-82. [PMID: 26372722 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J M Cox-Ganser
- Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Sharpe RA, Thornton CR, Tyrrell J, Nikolaou V, Osborne NJ. Variable risk of atopic disease due to indoor fungal exposure in NHANES 2005-2006. Clin Exp Allergy 2016; 45:1566-78. [PMID: 25845975 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to damp indoor environments is associated with increased risk of eczema, allergy and asthma. The role of dampness-related exposures and risk of allergic diseases are yet to be fully explored in the US population. OBJECTIVE We assess whether exposure to fungi, house dust mites and endotoxin increases the risk of eczema, allergy and asthma in children and adults participating in NHANES 2005-2006. METHODS A total of 8412 participants (2849 were children aged between 6 and 17 years) were recruited in the 2005-2006 survey. We used multiple logistic regression to investigate whether mildew/musty odour and increased concentrations of Alternaria alternata allergen, Aspergillus fumigatus antigens, house dust mite and endotoxin antigens increase the risk of eczema, allergy and asthma. We stratified models by total IgE < 170 and ≥ 170 KU/L to assess allergic and non-allergic asthma outcomes. Exposure to multiple biological agents and risk of reporting eczema, allergy and asthma were also investigated. RESULTS Reporting of a mildew/musty odour was associated with increased risk of childhood asthma (OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.17-2.19), and adult eczema, allergy and asthma (OR 1.92; 95% CI 1.39-2.63, OR 1.59 95% CI 1.26-2.02 and OR 1.61 95% CI 1.00-2.57, respectively). Risk of asthma was associated with total IgE ≥ 170 KU/L in children (OR 1.81; 95% CI 1.01-3.25) and total IgE < 170 KU/L in adults (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.07-3.42). Children and adults exposed to more than eight biological agents present in the home were at reduced risk of eczema (OR 0.17; 95% CI 0.04-0.77) and asthma (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.25-0.97), respectively. CONCLUSION Exposure to a mildew/musty odour, as a proxy for exposure to fungus, was implicated in an increased risk of atopic diseases. Sensitisation may play a different role in children and adults, and exposure to multiple allergens may reduce the risk of atopic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Sharpe
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, UK
| | - C R Thornton
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - J Tyrrell
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, UK
| | - V Nikolaou
- University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - N J Osborne
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, UK.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia
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Arikoglu T, Batmaz SB, Coşkun T, Otag F, Yildirim DD, Kuyucu S. The characteristics of indoor and outdoor fungi and their relation with allergic respiratory diseases in the southern region of Turkey. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2016; 188:380. [PMID: 27236446 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-016-5371-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Indoor and outdoor fungal exposure has been shown to be associated with the development of allergic respiratory diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate the types and concentrations of airborne fungi inside and outside homes and evaluate the association between fungal levels and allergic diseases in the southern region of Turkey. A total of 61 children admitted with respiratory complaints to the pediatric allergy clinic between September 2007 and November 2008 were included in this study. The air samples were obtained using the Air IDEAL volumetric air sampler longitudinally for 1 year. A comprehensive questionnaire was used for medical history and housing conditions. Skin prick test was performed to determine fungal sensitivity and spirometric indices were employed. The predominant indoor fungal species were Cladosporium (69.3 %), Penicillium (18.9 %), Aspergillus (6.5 %), and Alternaria (3.1 %). A strong correlation between indoor and outdoor fungal levels was detected for the Cladosporium species (p < 0.001, r = 0.72) throughout the year. Living in a detached home (p = 0.036) and the presence of cockroaches (p = 0.005) were associated with total indoor fungal levels. The presence of cockroaches (aOR 3.5; 95 % CI 0.95-13.10, p = 0.059) was also associated with fungal sensitization at the edge of significance. The statistical cutoff values of indoor and outdoor Cladosporium levels to predict symptomatic asthma were found to be >176 CFU/m(3) (p = 0.003, AUC 0.696; sensitivity 65.5 %; specificity 68.7 %) and >327 CFU/m(3) (p = 0.038; AUC 0.713; sensitivity 66.6 %; specificity 76.9 %), respectively. Children with respiratory symptoms are exposed to a considerable level of fungi inside and outside their homes. The prevention of fungal exposure may provide valuable intervention for respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tugba Arikoglu
- Department of Pediatric Allergy Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, 33343, Ciftlikkoy Kampusu, Mersin, Turkey.
| | - Sehra Birgul Batmaz
- Department of Pediatric Allergy Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, 33343, Ciftlikkoy Kampusu, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Taner Coşkun
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Feza Otag
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | | | - Semanur Kuyucu
- Department of Pediatric Allergy Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, 33343, Ciftlikkoy Kampusu, Mersin, Turkey
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Cai J, Liu W, Hu Y, Zou Z, Shen L, Huang C. Associations between home dampness-related exposures and childhood eczema among 13,335 preschool children in Shanghai, China: A cross-sectional study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 146:18-26. [PMID: 26708528 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
From April 2011 to April 2012, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China. A total of 13,335 modified ISAAC questionnaires (response rate: 85.3%) were returned by parents or guardians for 4-6 year-old children. Six dampness-related indicators (visible mold spots, visible damp stains, damp bed clothing, water damage, window pane condensation, and moldy odor) were used to evaluate home dampness-related exposures. In the present study, we applied logistic regression model to reveal associations, dose-response relationships, and statistical interaction effects of these dampness-related exposures, with childhood eczema, during lifetime since birth (ever) and in the last 12 months before the questionnaire. The dampness-related indicators were frequently reported in the perinatal and current residences. Prevalences of eczema ever and in the last 12 months were 22.9% and 13.2%, respectively. The dampness-related indicators were robustly associated and dose-response related with increased risk of eczema ever and in the last 12 months in the logistic regression analyses, with adjusted for potential confounders. Specifically, in the perinatal residence, visible mold spots or damp stains could increase 46% (OR, 95% CI: 1.46, 1.29-1.66) odds of childhood eczema (ever); in the current residence, visible mold spots and visible damp stains could increase 34% (1.34, 1.14-1.58) and 38% (1.38, 1.22-1.56) odds of childhood eczema (ever), respectively. Associations were not appreciably different between boys and girls, nor were they different between children with and without parental history of atopy. In conclusion, perinatal and current dampness-related exposures in the residence perhaps are risk factors for childhood eczema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Cai
- Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yu Hu
- Tongji Architectural Design (Group) Company Limited (TJAD), Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zhijun Zou
- Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Li Shen
- R&B Technology (Shanghai) Company Limited, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Chen Huang
- Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, PR China.
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Baxi SN, Portnoy JM, Larenas-Linnemann D, Phipatanakul W. Exposure and Health Effects of Fungi on Humans. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2016; 4:396-404. [PMID: 26947460 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2016.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Fungi are ubiquitous microorganisms that are present in outdoor and indoor environments. Previous research has found relationships between environmental fungal exposures and human health effects. We reviewed recent articles focused on fungal exposure and dampness as risk factors for respiratory disease development, symptoms, and hypersensitivity. In particular, we reviewed the evidence suggesting that early exposure to dampness or fungi is associated with the development of asthma and increased asthma morbidity. Although outdoor exposure to high concentrations of spores can cause health effects such as asthma attacks in association with thunderstorms, most people appear to be relatively unaffected unless they are sensitized to specific genera. Indoor exposure and dampness, however, appears to be associated with an increased risk of developing asthma in young children and asthma morbidity in individuals who have asthma. These are important issues because they provide a rationale for interventions that might be considered for homes and buildings in which there is increased fungal exposure. In addition to rhinitis and asthma, fungus exposure is associated with a number of other illnesses including allergic bronchopulmonary mycoses, allergic fungal sinusitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Additional research is necessary to establish causality and evaluate interventions for fungal- and dampness-related health effects.
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Kim HB, Zhou H, Kim JH, Habre R, Bastain TM, Gilliland FD. Lifetime prevalence of childhood eczema and the effect of indoor environmental factors: Analysis in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white children. Allergy Asthma Proc 2016; 37:64-71. [PMID: 26831849 DOI: 10.2500/aap.2016.37.3913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of eczema varies markedly across the globe. It is unclear whether the geographic variation is due to race and/or ethnic differences, environmental exposures, or genetic factors. OBJECTIVE We investigated the effects of ethnicity and environmental exposures on eczema in Hispanic white and non-Hispanic white children who participated in the Southern California Children's Health Study. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study with sociodemographic predictors and environmental exposures among Hispanic white and non-Hispanic white children ages 4-8 years enrolled in the Children's Health Study, 2002-2003. RESULTS Eczema prevalence differed by ethnicity: Hispanic whites showed lower prevalence (13.8%) compared with non-Hispanic whites (20.2%), and adjustment for sociodemographic factors did not account for the ethnic difference (odds ratio [OR] 0.79 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.65-0.95]). Parental history of allergic disease had a larger effect in Hispanic whites than in non-Hispanic whites (p for interaction = 0.005). High maternal education level (OR 1.46 [95% CI, 1.14-1.87]), parental history of allergic disease (OR 2.21 [95% CI, 1.78-2.76]), and maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR 1.44 [95% CI, 1.06-1.95]) increased the risk of eczema. Indoor environmental factors (e.g., mold, water damage, humidifier use) increased the risk of eczema in non-Hispanic whites independent of a parental history of allergic disease, but, in Hispanic whites, increased risks were observed, primarily in children without a parental history of allergic disease. CONCLUSION Hispanic white children in southern California had a lower prevalence of eczema than non-Hispanic whites, and this ethnic difference was not accounted for by sociodemographic differences. The effects of a parental history of allergic disease and indoor environmental exposures on eczema varied by ethnicity, which indicated that the etiology of eczema may differ in Hispanic whites and in non-Hispanic whites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo-Bin Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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Datta A, Moitra S, Hazra I, Mondal S, Das PK, Singh MK, Chaudhuri S, Bhattacharya D, Tripathi SK, Chaudhuri S. Specific allergen immunotherapy attenuates allergic airway inflammation in a rat model of Alstonia scholaris pollen induced airway allergy. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 30:111-120. [PMID: 26667977 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Pollen grains are well established to be an important cause of respiratory allergy. Current pharmacologic therapies for allergic asthma do not cure the disease. Allergen specific immunotherapy is the only treatment method which re-directs the immune system away from allergic response leading to a long lasting effect. The mechanism by which immunotherapy achieves this goal is an area of active research world-wide. The present experimental study was designed to develop an experimental model of allergic lung inflammation based on a relevant human allergen, Alstonia scholaris pollen, and to establish the immunological and cellular features of specific allergen immunotherapy using this same pollen extract. Our results revealed that Alstonia scholaris pollen sensitization and challenge causes eosinophilic airway inflammation with mucin hypersecretion. This is associated with increased total IgE, increased expression of FcɛRI on lung mast cells and increased levels of IL-4, IL-5 & IL-13 as confirmed by ELISA, in-situ immunofluorescence and FACS assay. Allergen specific immunotherapy reduced airway inflammation and also decreased total IgE level, FcɛRI expression, IL-4, IL-5 & IL-13 levels. It was further noted that the reduction of these levels was more by intra-nasal route than by intra-peritoneal route. Thus we present a novel animal model of Alstonia scholaris pollen allergic disease and specific allergen immunotherapy which will pave the way towards the development of better treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankur Datta
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108 C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India; Department of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology, School of Tropical Medicine, 108 C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Saibal Moitra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108 C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Iman Hazra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108 C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Somnath Mondal
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108 C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India; Department of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology, School of Tropical Medicine, 108 C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Prasanta Kumar Das
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108 C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Manoj Kumar Singh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108 C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Suhnrita Chaudhuri
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108 C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Debanjan Bhattacharya
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108 C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Santanu Kumar Tripathi
- Department of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology, School of Tropical Medicine, 108 C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Swapna Chaudhuri
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108 C. R. Avenue, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India.
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Blankestijn MA, Boyle RJ, Gore R, Hawrylowicz C, Jarvis D, Knulst AC, Wardlaw AJ. Developments in the field of allergy in 2013 through the eyes of Clinical and Experimental Allergy. Clin Exp Allergy 2015; 44:1436-57. [PMID: 25346287 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
2013 was another exciting year for allergy in general and Clinical and Experimental Allergy in particular. In the field of asthma and rhinitis, there continued to be a focus on heterogeneity and phenotypes with increasing use of biostatistical techniques to determine clusters of similar populations. Obesity- and aspirin-associated disease are intriguing associations with asthma which were explored in a number of papers. We published a number of excellent papers on mechanisms of airway inflammation and how this relates to physiology, pathology, genetics and biomarkers in both human and experimental model systems. In terms of mechanisms, there is less on individual cell types in allergic disease at the moment, but the immunology of allergic disease continued to fascinate our authors. Another area that was popular both in the mechanisms and in the epidemiology sections was early life events and how these lead to allergic disease, with an increasing focus on the role of the microbiome and how this influences immune tolerance. In the clinical allergy section, oral immunotherapy for food allergy is clearly a major topic of interest at the moment as was in vitro testing to distinguish between sensitization and allergic disease. There was less on inhalant allergy this year, but a good representation from the drug allergy community including some interesting work on non-IgE-mediated mechanisms. In the allergen section, important new allergens continue to be discovered, but the major focus as in the last couple of years was on working out how component-resolved approaches can improve diagnosis and management of food and venom allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Blankestijn
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Sharpe RA, Thornton CR, Nikolaou V, Osborne NJ. Fuel poverty increases risk of mould contamination, regardless of adult risk perception & ventilation in social housing properties. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2015; 79:115-129. [PMID: 25829024 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fuel poverty affects 2.4 million UK homes leading to poor hygrothermal conditions and risk of mould and house dust mite contaminations, which in turn increases risk of asthma exacerbation. For the first time we assess how fuel poverty, occupants' risk perception and use of mechanical ventilation mediate the risk of mould contamination in social housing. METHODS Postal questionnaires were sent to 3867 social housing properties to collect adult risk perception, and demographic and environmental information on occupants. Participant details were linked to data pertaining to the individual properties. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and confidence intervals while allowing for clustering of individuals coming from the same housing estate. We used Structured Equation Modelling and Goodness of Fit analysis in mediation analyses to examine the role of fuel poverty, risk perception, use of ventilation and energy efficiency. RESULTS Eighteen percent of our target social housing populations (671 households) were included into our study. High risk perception (score of 8-10) was associated with reduced risk of mould contamination in the bedrooms of children (OR 0.5 95% CI; 0.3-0.9) and adults (OR 0.4 95% CI; 0.3-0.7). High risk perception of living with inadequate heating and ventilation reduced the risk of mould contamination (OR 0.5 95% CI; 0.3-0.8 and OR 0.5 95% CI; 0.3-0.7, respectively). Participants living with inadequate heating and not heating due to the cost of fuel had an increased risk of mould contamination (OR 3.4 95% CI; 2.0-5.8 and OR 2.2 95% CI; 1.5-3.2, respectively). Increased risk perception and use of extractor fans did not mediate the association between fuel poverty behaviours and increased risk of mould contamination. DISCUSSION Fuel poverty behaviours increased the risk of mould contamination, which corresponds with existing literature. For the first time we used mediation analysis to assess how this association maybe modified by occupant behaviours. Increased risk perception and use of extractor fans did not modify the association between fuel poverty and mould contamination. This suggests that fuel poor populations may not benefit from energy efficiency interventions due to ineffective heating and ventilation practices of those occupants residing participating households. Our findings may be modified by a complex interaction between occupant behaviours and the built environment. We found that participant age, occupancy, SES, pets, drying washing indoors, geographic location, architectural design/age of the property, levels of insulation and type of heating regulated risk of mould contamination. CONCLUSION Fuel poverty behaviours affected around a third of participating households and represent a risk factor for increased exposures to damp and mouldy conditions, regardless of adult risk perception, heating and ventilation practices. This requires multidisciplinary approach to assess the complex interaction between occupant behaviours, risk perception, the built environment and the effective use of heating and ventilation practices. STUDY IMPLICATIONS Our findings have implications for housing policies and future housing interventions. Effective communication strategies focusing on awareness and perception of risk may help address indoor air quality issues. This must be supported by improved household energy efficiency with the provision of more effective heating and ventilation strategies, specifically to help alleviate those suffering from fuel poverty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Sharpe
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher R Thornton
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Vasilis Nikolaou
- University of Exeter Medical School, The Veysey Building, Salmon Pool Lane, Exeter EX2 4SG, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J Osborne
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, United Kingdom; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia.
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