R A Sharpe1, C R Thornton2, J Tyrrell1, V Nikolaou3, N J Osborne1,4,5. 1. European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, UK. 2. Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. 3. University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK. 4. Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia. 5. Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.
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.
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.
Authors: Siyuan Xiao; Amanda L Ngo; Pauline Mendola; Michael N Bates; Anna L Barcellos; Assiamira Ferrara; Yeyi Zhu Journal: Int J Hyg Environ Health Date: 2021-02-06 Impact factor: 5.840
Authors: Ghada Abo-Zaid; Richard A Sharpe; Lora E Fleming; Michael Depledge; Nicholas J Osborne Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-07-05 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Donna C Rennie; Chandima P Karunanayake; Josh A Lawson; Shelley Kirychuk; Kathleen McMullin; Sylvia Abonyi; Jeremy Seeseequasis; Judith MacDonald; James A Dosman; Punam Pahwa Journal: Children (Basel) Date: 2020-04-27