Artikel
Effects of exposure to molds and parental atopy on asthma-related symptoms: the ISAAC I and III cross-sectional surveys in Münster
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Autoren
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Thomas Behrens
- Bremer Institut für Präventionsforschung und Sozialmedizin, Bremen
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Wasim Maziak
- Center for Tobacco Studies, Aleppo, Syria
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Stephan K. Weiland
- Abteilung für Epidemiologie, Universität Ulm, Ulm
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Peter Rzehak
- Abteilung für Epidemiologie, Universität Ulm, Ulm
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Ulrich Keil
- Institut für Epidemiologie und Sozialmedizin, Universität Münster, Münster
| Veröffentlicht: | 8. September 2005 |
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Gliederung
Text
Background and objectives
It has been shown that children who live in damp homes have an increased risk for the presence of asthma-related respiratory symptoms. Also, a history of parental atopy is a known risk factor for the development of asthma and atopic disease. We analyzed the independent and joint effects of parental atopy and exposure to molds on asthma-related outcomes.
Methods
Two cross-sectional surveys (1994/95 and 1999/2000) were conducted, using data from the ISAAC Phase I and III surveys, collected in Münster, Germany (N=6,996, response proportion 81.8%). Outcomes of interest were the prevalence of wheeze during the last 12 months, severity of wheeze (sleep disturbance because of wheeze and wheeze after exercise during the last 12 months), and current asthma (defined as 12-month wheezing plus a lifetime diagnosis of asthma) in 6-7 year-old children. Exposure was assessed with a question regarding dampness or visible molds in the child’s bedroom at present and during the first year of life. Risk estimates were calculated as prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusting for several potential confounders.
Results
Positive associations were observed for exposure to molds (e.g. PR=1,28; 95% CI 0,99-1,68 for wheeze during the last 12 months) and parental atopy (PR=1,86; 95% CI 1,61-2,14 for 12-month wheeze and PR=3,35; 95% CI 2,38-4,72 for current asthma). Comparing the PR in four exposure categories, an excess risk of asthma-related outcomes was observed when joint effects of mold exposure and a positive family history of atopy were assessed (e.g. for wheeze: PR=1,83; 95% CI 1,58-2,11 in children with parental atopy, but without mold exposure; PR=1,12; 95% CI 0,73-1,71 in mold-exposed children without a history of parental atopy; and PR=2,60; 95% CI 1,58-4,34 in children with both factors).
Conclusions
In the ISAAC study a positive family history of atopy was a strong predictor for the development of asthma-related symptoms in children 6-7 years of age. Also, exposure to molds in the bedroom was a risk factors for the presence of respiratory symptoms suggestive of asthma. Parental atopy and exposure to molds did not have independent effects on the outcomes under observation.
