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Connett GJ. Asthma, classical conditioning, and the autonomic nervous system - a hypothesis for why children wheeze. Arch Dis Child 2024; 109:462-467. [PMID: 37648401 PMCID: PMC11103287 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2023-325441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Paediatric asthma is an increasing global healthcare problem for which current treatments are not always effective. This review explores how abnormal triggering of the autonomic diving reflex might be important in explaining research findings and the real-world experience of asthma. It hypothesises that the way in which stress during pregnancy is associated with childhood asthma could be through effects on the developing nervous system. This results in increased parasympathetic responsiveness and specifically, excessive triggering of the diving reflex in response to wetting and cooling of the face and nose as occurs with upper airway infections and allergic rhinitis. In aquatic mammals the reflex importantly includes the contraction of airway smooth muscle to minimise lung volume and prevent nitrogen narcosis from diving at depth. Misfiring of this reflex in humans could result in the pathological airway narrowing that occurs in asthma. The diving reflex, and possibly also smooth muscle, is a vestigial remnant of our aquatic past. The hypothesis further suggests that classically conditioned reflex responses to neutral cues and contexts that were present at the same time as the stimuli that initially caused symptoms, become of themselves ongoing triggers of recurrent wheeze. Symptoms occurring in this way, irrespective of the presence of allergens and ongoing airway sensitisation, explain why allergen avoidance is poorly effective in alleviating wheeze and why asthma is made worse by stress. Interventions to suppress the diving reflex and to prevent reflex conditioned wheezing could result in more effective asthma management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary James Connett
- National Institute for Health Research, Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, Southampton Chldren's Hospital, Southampton, UK
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Morphew TL, Venkat A, Graham J, Mehalik M, Anderson N, Gentile D. Impact of a Large Fire and Subsequent Pollution Control Failure at a Coke Works on Acute Asthma Exacerbations in Nearby Adult Residents. TOXICS 2021; 9:toxics9070147. [PMID: 34202026 PMCID: PMC8309726 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9070147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Clairton, Pennsylvania, is home to the largest coke works facility in the United States (US). On 24 December 2018, a large fire occurred at this facility and damaged pollution control equipment. Although repairs were not completed for several months, production continued at pre-fire capacity and daily emissions increased by 24 to 35 times, with multiple exceedances of monitored levels of outdoor air pollution (OAP). The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate the impact of this industrial incident and resultant OAP exceedances on asthma morbidity. We assessed pre-fire and post-fire rate ratios (RR) of outpatient and emergency department (ED) visits for asthma exacerbations among nearby adult residents. Pre-fire versus post-fire RRs increased for both visit types: RR = 1.82 (95% CI: 1.30, 2.53; p < 0.001) and 1.84 (95% CI: 1.05, 3.22; p = 0.032) for outpatient and ED visits, respectively. Additionally, total visit rates increased on days with OAP exceedances: RR = 2.47 (95% CI: 1.52, 4.01; p < 0.0001), 1.58 (95% CI: 1.00, 2.48; p = 0.048) and 1.79 (95% CI: 1.27, 2.54; p = 0.001) for PM2.5, SO2, and H2S exceedance days, respectively. These results show a near doubling of acute visits for asthma exacerbations in nearby adult residents during this industrial incident and underscore the need for prompt remediation and public notification of OAP exceedances to prevent adverse health impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arvind Venkat
- Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA;
| | - John Graham
- Clean Air Task Force, San Rafael, CA 94901, USA;
| | | | | | - Deborah Gentile
- Community Partners in Asthma Care, McMurray, PA 15317, USA
- Correspondence:
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Lam R, Kwon S, Riggs J, Sunseri M, Crowley G, Schwartz T, Zeig-Owens R, Colbeth H, Halpren A, Liu M, Prezant DJ, Nolan A. Dietary phenotype and advanced glycation end-products predict WTC-obstructive airways disease: a longitudinal observational study. Respir Res 2021; 22:19. [PMID: 33461547 PMCID: PMC7812653 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-020-01596-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Diet is a modifier of metabolic syndrome which in turn is associated with World Trade Center obstructive airways disease (WTC-OAD). We have designed this study to (1) assess the dietary phenotype (food types, physical activity, and dietary habits) of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) WTC-Health Program (WTC-HP) cohort and (2) quantify the association of dietary quality and its advanced glycation end product (AGE) content with the development of WTC-OAD. Methods WTC-OAD, defined as developing WTC-Lung Injury (WTC-LI; FEV1 < LLN) and/or airway hyperreactivity (AHR; positive methacholine and/or positive bronchodilator response). Rapid Eating and Activity Assessment for Participants-Short Version (REAP-S) deployed on 3/1/2018 in the WTC-HP annual monitoring assessment. Clinical and REAP-S data of consented subjects was extracted (7/17/2019). Diet quality [low-(15–19), moderate-(20–29), and high-(30–39)] and AGE content per REAP-S questionnaire were assessed for association with WTC-OAD. Regression models adjusted for smoking, hyperglycemia, hypertension, age on 9/11, WTC-exposure, BMI, and job description. Results N = 9508 completed the annual questionnaire, while N = 4015 completed REAP-S and had spirometry. WTC-OAD developed in N = 921, while N = 3094 never developed WTC-OAD. Low- and moderate-dietary quality, eating more (processed meats, fried foods, sugary drinks), fewer (vegetables, whole-grains),and having a diet abundant in AGEs were significantly associated with WTC-OAD. Smoking was not a significant risk factor of WTC-OAD. Conclusions REAP-S was successfully implemented in the FDNY WTC-HP monitoring questionnaire and produced valuable dietary phenotyping. Our observational study has identified low dietary quality and AGE abundant dietary habits as risk factors for pulmonary disease in the context of WTC-exposure. Dietary phenotyping, not only focuses our metabolomic/biomarker profiling but also further informs future dietary interventions that may positively impact particulate matter associated lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Lam
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sophia Kwon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jessica Riggs
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Sunseri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - George Crowley
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Theresa Schwartz
- Fire Department of New York, Bureau of Health Services, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Zeig-Owens
- Fire Department of New York, Bureau of Health Services, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Hilary Colbeth
- Fire Department of New York, Bureau of Health Services, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Allison Halpren
- Fire Department of New York, Bureau of Health Services, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Mengling Liu
- Division of Biostatistics, Departments of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - David J Prezant
- Fire Department of New York, Bureau of Health Services, Brooklyn, NY, USA.,Pulmonary Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Anna Nolan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. .,Fire Department of New York, Bureau of Health Services, Brooklyn, NY, USA. .,Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, New York University, School of Medicine, New Bellevue, 16 S Room 16 (Office), 16N Room 20 (Lab), 462 1st Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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Wisnivesky JP, Markowitz SB, James S, Stone K, Dickens B, Busse P, Crowley L, Federman A, Katz C, Gonzalez A. Comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder are associated with asthma morbidity among World Trade Center workers. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2020; 126:278-283. [PMID: 33098982 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2020.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND World Trade Center (WTC) rescue and recovery workers have a high burden of asthma, comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). PTSD is associated with worse asthma outcomes. OBJECTIVE In this study, we evaluated whether the relationship between PTSD and asthma morbidity is modified by the presence of MDD. METHODS We used data from a cohort of WTC workers with asthma. Asthma control (asthma control questionnaire), resource utilization, and quality of life (asthma quality of life questionnaire) were evaluated. We used regression analyses to evaluate the adjusted association of PTSD and MDD with asthma control, resource utilization, and quality of life. RESULTS Of the study cohort of 293 WTC workers with asthma, 19% had PTSD alone, 2% had MDD alone, and 12% had PTSD and MDD. Adjusted mean differences (95% confidence interval) in asthma control questionnaire scores were 1.32 (0.85-1.80) for WTC workers with PTSD and MDD, 0.44 (0.03-0.84) for those with PTSD alone, and 0.50 (-0.38 to 1.38) for workers with MDD alone compared with those without MDD or PTSD. WTC workers with PTSD and MDD, PTSD alone, and MDD alone had mean (95% confidence interval) adjusted differences in asthma quality of life questionnaire scores of -1.67 (-2.22 to -1.12), -0.56 (-2.23 to -1.12), and -1.21 (-2.23 to -0.18), respectively, compared with workers without MDD or PTSD. Similar patterns were observed for acute resource utilization. CONCLUSION PTSD and MDD seem to have a synergistic effect that worsens asthma control and quality of life. Efforts to improve asthma outcomes in this population should address the negative impacts of these common mental health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Wisnivesky
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
| | - Steven B Markowitz
- Occupational-Environmental Medicine, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York
| | - Shynah James
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Kim Stone
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Brittany Dickens
- Occupational-Environmental Medicine, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York
| | - Paula Busse
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Laura Crowley
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Alex Federman
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Craig Katz
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Adam Gonzalez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
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