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Haddadzadeh Shoushtari M, Afrakhteh S, Borsi SH, Raji H, Idani E. Pulmonary Function Tests in Thunderstorm-associated Respiratory Symptoms: A Cross-sectional Study. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES 2024; 49:40-45. [PMID: 38322159 PMCID: PMC10839138 DOI: 10.30476/ijms.2023.96337.2784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Background Epidemic thunderstorm asthma is an observed increase in cases of acute bronchospasm following thunderstorms. This study aimed to compare the frequency of obstructive airway disease or bronchial hyperresponsiveness in subjects with thunderstorm-associated respiratory symptoms with subjects with similar symptoms presented at other times. Methods A cross-sectional study from June to November of 2013 was conducted on subjects with thunderstorm-associated respiratory symptoms living in Ahvaz City, Iran. Thunderstorm-associated subjects were presented with asthmatic symptoms in thunderstorms, and other patients presented with similar symptoms at other times. Baseline spirometry was performed on patients to examine the presence of obstructive airway disease. In all patients with normal spirometry, a provocation test was applied. A comparison of qualitative and quantitative variables was made using the Chi-square and independent t test, respectively. All analyses were carried out using SPSS Statistics Version 22. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Out of 584 subjects, 300 and 284 participants were in thunderstorm-associated and non-thunderstorm-associated groups, respectively. After the final analysis, 87 (30.6%) and 89 (33.3%) of the thunderstorm-associated subjects and non-thunderstorm-associated group, respectively, had pieces of evidence of airflow limitation (P=0.27). Among the patients with normal spirometry, 161 (81.72%) of the thunderstorm-associated patients and 100 (56.17%) patients of the non-thunderstorm-associated symptoms group had a positive methacholine challenge test result (P<0.001). Conclusion Most of the patients with thunderstorm-associated respiratory symptoms had no obvious evidence of airflow limitation in spirometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Haddadzadeh Shoushtari
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Enviromental Technologies Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Sakineh Afrakhteh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Seyed Hamid Borsi
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences,Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Raji
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Esmail Idani
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences,Tehran, Iran
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Paterson T, Azizoglu S, Gokhale M, Chambers M, Suphioglu C. Preserved Ophthalmic Anti-Allergy Medication in Cumulatively Increasing Risk Factors of Corneal Ectasia. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1036. [PMID: 37508465 PMCID: PMC10376818 DOI: 10.3390/biology12071036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of allergies is rising every year. For those who suffer from it, ocular inflammation and irritation can be inconvenient and unpleasant. Anti-allergy eyedrops are a readily available treatment for symptoms of ocular allergy (OA) and can help allergy sufferers regain normal function. However, the eye is a delicate organ, and multiuse eyedrops often utilise preservatives to deter microbial growth. Preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride (BAK) have been shown to induce decreased cell viability. Therefore, during a period of high localised inflammation and eye rubbing, it is important that the preservatives used in topical medicines do not contribute to the weakening of the corneal structure. This review explores ocular allergy and the thinning and protrusion of the cornea that is characteristic of the disease keratoconus (KC) and how it relates to a weakened corneal structure. It also describes the use of BAK and its documented effects on the integrity of the cornea. It was found that atopy and eye rubbing are significant risk factors for KC, and BAK can severely decrease the integrity of the corneal structure when compared to other preservatives and preservative-free alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Paterson
- NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences (LES), Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment (SEBE), Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Serap Azizoglu
- NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences (LES), Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment (SEBE), Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
- Deakin Optometry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Moneisha Gokhale
- NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences (LES), Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment (SEBE), Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
- Deakin Optometry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Madeline Chambers
- NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences (LES), Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment (SEBE), Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Cenk Suphioglu
- NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences (LES), Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment (SEBE), Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
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3
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Straub A, Fricke V, Olschewski P, Seubert S, Beck C, Bayr D, Kolek F, Plaza MP, Leier-Wirtz V, Kaschuba S, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Buermann W, Gerstlauer M, Damialis A, Philipp A. The phenomenon of thunderstorm asthma in Bavaria, Southern Germany: a statistical approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:2678-2694. [PMID: 34607495 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2021.1985971] [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: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Higher incidences of asthma during thunderstorms can pose a serious health risk. In this study, we estimate the thunderstorm asthma risk using statistical methods, with special focus on Bavaria, Southern Germany. In this approach, a dataset of asthma-related emergency cases for the study region is combined with meteorological variables and aeroallergen data to identify statistical relationships between the occurrence of asthma (predictand) and different environmental parameters (set of predictors). On the one hand, the results provide evidence for a weak but significant relationship between atmospheric stability indices and asthma emergencies in the region, but also show that currently thunderstorm asthma is not a major concern in Bavaria due to overall low incidences. As thunderstorm asthma can have severe consequences for allergic patients, the presented approach can be important for the development of emergency strategies in regions affected by thunderstorm asthma and under present and future climate change conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Straub
- Institute for Geography, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Verena Fricke
- Institute for Geography, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Olschewski
- Professorship for Regional Climate Change and Health, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Seubert
- Institute for Geography, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Beck
- Institute for Geography, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Bayr
- German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Centre Munich, Augsburg, Germany
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Franziska Kolek
- German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Centre Munich, Augsburg, Germany
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Maria P Plaza
- German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Centre Munich, Augsburg, Germany
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Vivien Leier-Wirtz
- German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Centre Munich, Augsburg, Germany
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Sigrid Kaschuba
- German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Centre Munich, Augsburg, Germany
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann
- German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Centre Munich, Augsburg, Germany
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | | | - Michael Gerstlauer
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Athanasios Damialis
- German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Centre Munich, Augsburg, Germany
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Philipp
- Institute for Geography, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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Douglass JA, Lodge C, Chan S, Doherty A, Tan JA, Jin C, Stewart A, Southcott AM, Gillman A, Lee J, Csutoros D, Hannan L, Ruane L, Barnes S, Irving L, Harun NS, Lachapelle P, Spriggs K, Sutherland M, See K, McDonald CF, Conron M, Radhakrishna N, Worsnop C, Johnston FH, Davies JM, Bryant V, Iles L, Ranson D, Spanos P, Vicendese D, Lowe A, Newbigin EJ, Bardin P, Dharmage S. Thunderstorm asthma in seasonal allergic rhinitis: The TAISAR study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2022; 149:1607-1616. [PMID: 34774618 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma epidemics associated with thunderstorms have had catastrophic effects on individuals and emergency services. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) is present in the vast majority of people who develop thunderstorm asthma (TA), but there is little evidence regarding risk factors for TA among the SAR population. OBJECTIVE We sought to identify risk factors for a history of TA and hospital presentation in a cohort of individuals with SAR. METHODS This multicenter study recruited adults from Melbourne, Australia, with a past diagnosis of TA and/or self-reported SAR. Clinical information, spirometry results, white blood cell count, ryegrass pollen-specific (RGP-sp) IgE concentration, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide were measured to identify risk factors for a history of TA in individuals with SAR. RESULTS From a total of 228 individuals with SAR, 35% (80 of 228) reported SAR only (the I-SAR group), 37% (84 of 228) reported TA symptoms but had not attended hospital for treatment (the O-TA group), and 28% (64 of 228) had presented to the hospital for TA (the H-TA group). All patients in the H-TA group reported a previous asthma diagnosis. Logistic regression analysis of factors associated with O-TA and H-TA indicated that lower FEV1 value and an Asthma Control Questionnaire score higher than 1.5 were associated with H-TA. Higher blood RGP-sp IgE concentration, eosinophil counts, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide level were significantly associated with both O-TA and H-TA. Receiver operating curve analysis showed an RGP-sp IgE concentration higher than 10.1 kU/L and a prebronchodilator FEV1 value of 90% or lower to be biomarkers of increased H-TA risk. CONCLUSION Clinical tests can identify risk of a history of TA in individuals with SAR and thereby inform patient-specific treatment recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo A Douglass
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
| | - Caroline Lodge
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Samantha Chan
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Alice Doherty
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Ju Ann Tan
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Celina Jin
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Alastair Stewart
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anne M Southcott
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Western Health, Footscray, Australia
| | - Andrew Gillman
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Western Health, Footscray, Australia
| | - Joy Lee
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Danny Csutoros
- Department of Health and Human Services, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Liam Hannan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Northern Health, Epping, Australia
| | - Laurence Ruane
- Monash Lung, Sleep, Allergy and Immunology, Monash Hospital and University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Sara Barnes
- Department of Allergy, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
| | - Lou Irving
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Nur-Shirin Harun
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | | | - Kymble Spriggs
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Michael Sutherland
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Richmond, Australia
| | - Katharine See
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Northern Health, Epping, Australia
| | - Christine F McDonald
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Matthew Conron
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Australia
| | | | - Christopher Worsnop
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Fay H Johnston
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Janet M Davies
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia
| | - Vanessa Bryant
- Immunology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Australia
| | - Linda Iles
- Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Southbank, Australia
| | - David Ranson
- Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Southbank, Australia
| | | | - Don Vicendese
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, La Trobe University, Essendon, Australia
| | - Adrian Lowe
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Edward J Newbigin
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Philip Bardin
- Monash Lung, Sleep, Allergy and Immunology, Monash Hospital and University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Shyamali Dharmage
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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5
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Price D, Hughes KM, Thien F, Suphioglu C. Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma: Lessons Learned from the Storm Down-Under. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2020; 9:1510-1515. [PMID: 33172604 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Epidemic thunderstorm asthma (ETSA) is a global health problem that can strike without sufficient warning and can have catastrophic consequences. Because of climate change, future events are likely to become more common, more disastrous, and more unpredictable. To prevent loss of life and avoid surge events on health care infrastructure, identifying at-risk individuals and their potential biomarkers is the most prophylactic approach that can be taken to mitigate the deadly consequences of ETSA. In this review, we provide an update on the clinical mechanism, global prevalence, and characteristics of those patients moderately or severely at risk of ETSA. Identifying these patient characteristics will aid clinical professionals to provide suitable and personalized treatment plans and, in turn, avoid future loss of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dwan Price
- NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia; NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia; Deakin AIRwatch Pollen and Spore Counting and Forecasting Facility, Deakin University, Burwood and Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Kira M Hughes
- NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia; Deakin AIRwatch Pollen and Spore Counting and Forecasting Facility, Deakin University, Burwood and Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia
| | - Francis Thien
- Respiratory Medicine, Eastern Health, Box Hill Hospital and Monash University, Box Hill, VIC, Australia
| | - Cenk Suphioglu
- NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia; NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia; Deakin AIRwatch Pollen and Spore Counting and Forecasting Facility, Deakin University, Burwood and Waurn Ponds, VIC, Australia.
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6
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Thien F, Davies JM, Hew M, Douglass JA, O'Hehir RE. Thunderstorm asthma: an overview of mechanisms and management strategies. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2020; 16:1005-1017. [PMID: 32960102 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2021.1826310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epidemic thunderstorm asthma (ETSA) is due to a complex interaction of environmental and individual susceptibility factors, with outbreaks reported globally over the last four decades. Australia has been particularly susceptible with nearly half of episodes reported internationally, culminating in the catastrophic Melbourne 2016 event. AREAS COVERED Reported ETSA episodes are reviewed for common environmental and meteorological risk factors. Allergen aerobiology interaction with thunderstorm activity and rapid weather condition changes is examined. Assessment of the clinical and immunological data highlights risk factors for ETSA presentation, hospital admission, and intensive care admission. Risk factors associated with ETSA deaths are evaluated. Public health strategies, as well as pharmacological and immunological management approaches to reduce individual susceptibility and prevent ETSA are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Improved understanding of the specific meteorological factors predisposing to the greatest risk of ETSA to improve forecasting is required. Better monitoring of aeroallergen levels in areas of greatest geographic risk, with further research into allergen aerobiology underpinning mechanisms of allergen exposure is needed. The role of climate change in increasing the risk of ETSA outbreaks requires further research. Public awareness and education are required to reduce exposure, and to improve uptake of pharmacological and immunological risk reduction and preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Thien
- Eastern Health Clinical School, Box Hill Hospital , Melbourne, Australia.,Monash University , Melbourne, Australia
| | - Janet M Davies
- Queensland University of Technology , Brisbane, Australia.,Metro North Hospital and Health Service , Brisbane, Australia
| | - Mark Hew
- Monash University , Melbourne, Australia.,Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology, Alfred Health , Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jo A Douglass
- Royal Melbourne Hospital , Parkville, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robyn E O'Hehir
- Monash University , Melbourne, Australia.,Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology, Alfred Health , Melbourne, Australia
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7
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon-Seok Chang
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
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8
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Harun NS, Lachapelle P, Bowatte G, Lodge C, Braitberg G, Irving L, Hinks T, Dharmage S, Douglass J. 2016 Thunderstorm-asthma epidemic in Melbourne, Australia: An analysis of patient characteristics associated with hospitalization. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY CRITICAL CARE AND SLEEP MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/24745332.2020.1727301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nur-Shirin Harun
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Philippe Lachapelle
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Allergy, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Gayan Bowatte
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Caroline Lodge
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - George Braitberg
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Louis Irving
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Lung Health Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Timothy Hinks
- Respiratory Medicine Unit, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department for Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Shyamali Dharmage
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jo Douglass
- Department of Immunology and Allergy, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Lung Health Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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9
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Simunovic M, Dwarakanath D, Addison-Smith B, Susanto NH, Erbas B, Baker P, Davies JM. Grass pollen as a trigger of emergency department presentations and hospital admissions for respiratory conditions in the subtropics: A systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 182:109125. [PMID: 32069762 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It is unknown if high concentration of airborne grass pollen, where subtropical grasses (Chloridoideae and Panicoideae) dominate, is a risk factor for respiratory health. Here we systematically reviewed the association between airborne grass pollen exposure and asthma emergency department (ED) presentations and hospital admissions in subtropical climates. OBJECTIVES A systematic review was performed to identify and summarise studies that reported on respiratory health (asthma ED presentations and hospital admissions) and airborne grass pollen exposure in subtropical climates. METHODS Searches were conducted in: MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL (EBSCO), Embase and Google Scholar databases (1966-2019). Risk of bias was assessed using a validated quality assessment tool. A meta-analysis was planned, however due to the heterogeneity in study design it was determined inappropriate and instead a narrative synthesis was undertaken. RESULTS Nineteen studies were identified for inclusion, with a total of 598,931 asthma ED presentation participants and 36,504 asthma hospital admission participants in six countries (Australia, India, Israel, Italy, Spain, USA). The narrative synthesis found airborne grass pollen appears to have a small and inconsistent increase on asthma ED presentations (judged as: probably little effect n = 5, may have little effect n = 4, no effect n = 2 and uncertain if there is an effect n = 4) and hospital admissions (judged as: probably increase slightly n = 2 probably little effect n = 1, may have a little effect n = 1, no effect n = 3 and we are uncertain if there is an effect n = 4) in the subtropics. Furthermore, the reported effect sizes were small and its clinical relevance may be difficult to discern. CONCLUSION Exposure to airborne grass pollen appears to have a small and inconsistent increase on asthma ED presentations and hospital admissions in the subtropics. These findings are comparable to reported observations from studies undertaken in temperate regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Simunovic
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Divya Dwarakanath
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Beth Addison-Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nugroho H Susanto
- School of Public Health and Epidemiology, LaTrobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bircan Erbas
- School of Public Health and Epidemiology, LaTrobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Philip Baker
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Janet M Davies
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Office of Research, Metro North Hospital and Health Services,Herston, Queensland, Australia
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10
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Sultana RV, McKenzie DP, Fahey MT, Sutherland M, Nimorakiotakis V. Beta-blocker use is an independent risk factor for thunderstorm asthma. Emerg Med Australas 2019; 31:955-960. [PMID: 30887729 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify risk factors for thunderstorm asthma (TA) in subjects ≥15 years of age from information available in routine clinical records. METHODS Retrospective and hospital-based case-control study of various clinical factors in all TA cases (n = 53) who presented to a single-site ED in November 2016 (TA16) and in a control group of patients (n = 156) who presented to the same ED with asthma during the pollen season over eight non-TA years. Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression modelling was performed to calculate the odds of TA asthma in the presence of potential risk factors. RESULTS A logistic regression model revealed that the odds of TA were lower for age (odds ratio [OR] 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95-0.99), higher for Asian country of birth (OR 4.09, 95% CI 1.40-11.95) and higher for oral beta-blocker use (OR 6.43, 95% CI 1.58-26.33) compared to controls. No difference was found between TA16 cases and controls for allergies (to medication, grass pollen, animal), hayfever, smoking, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or aspirin. Newly diagnosed asthma was higher in TA16 cases versus controls (32.1% vs 12.2%, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Oral beta-blocker medications, younger age and Asian-born heritage are risk factors for TA. Further study is required to explore the potential association between beta-blockers and TA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron V Sultana
- Emergency Department, Epworth Richmond Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dean P McKenzie
- Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Statistics, Data Science and Epidemiology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael T Fahey
- Department of Statistics, Data Science and Epidemiology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Sutherland
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Epworth HealthCare, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vasilios Nimorakiotakis
- Emergency Department, Epworth Richmond Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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11
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Lai VWY, Bowatte G, Knibbs LD, Rangamuwa K, Young A, Dharmage S, Thien F. Residential NO 2 exposure is associated with urgent healthcare use in a thunderstorm asthma cohort. Asia Pac Allergy 2018; 8:e33. [PMID: 30402400 PMCID: PMC6209594 DOI: 10.5415/apallergy.2018.8.e33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is increasing interest in the role of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) in allergic airway diseases. Few studies investigate the relationship between TRAP exposure and acute exacerbations of asthma. Objective The 2016 Melbourne thunderstorm asthma epidemic provided an opportunity to investigate the relationship between proxies of TRAP exposure and asthma exacerbation requiring urgent healthcare in the previous 12 months. Methods Current asthmatics who presented to the 3 Emergency Departments of Melbourne's second-largest health service with epidemic thunderstorm asthma in November 2016 were identified and completed a standard questionnaire. Their residential addresses were geocoded and the annual average nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure for each patient was assigned using a validated satellite-based land use regression model. Residential distance to the nearest major road was calculated using ArcGIS. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between each TRAP proxy and healthcare use, adjusting for potential confounders. Results From 263 thunderstorm asthma patients, 88 patients identified with current asthma were analysed. Those with higher mean annual residential NO2 exposure had greater odds of urgent healthcare use in the previous year (odds ratio [OR], 3.45 per one interquartile-range increase; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31–9.10; p = 0.01), however distance from major road (OR, 0.95 per 100-m increase; 95% CI, 0.80–1.13; p = 0.57) and living <200 m from a major road (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.29–7.45; p = 0.64) were not significantly associated. Conclusion In current asthmatics who presented during an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event, greater exposure to residential NO2 was significantly associated with greater odds of asthma exacerbations requiring urgent healthcare in the previous 12 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Wai Yun Lai
- Monash School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Gayan Bowatte
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population & Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Luke David Knibbs
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Alan Young
- Monash School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Box Hill Hospital, Eastern Health, Box Hill, VIC, Australia
| | - Shyamali Dharmage
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population & Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Francis Thien
- Monash School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Box Hill Hospital, Eastern Health, Box Hill, VIC, Australia
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Chang YS. Asia Pacific Allergy: A great platform for allergy. Asia Pac Allergy 2018; 8:e42. [PMID: 30402409 PMCID: PMC6209599 DOI: 10.5415/apallergy.2018.8.e42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yoon-Seok Chang
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam 13620, Korea
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13
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Chang YS. Autumn leaves: about aging and allergy. Asia Pac Allergy 2017; 7:183-184. [PMID: 29094014 PMCID: PMC5663744 DOI: 10.5415/apallergy.2017.7.4.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yoon-Seok Chang
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
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