Symptoms of bronchial hyperreactivity and asthma in relation to environmental factors.
A questionnaire study regarding airway morbidity in children and environmental factors was performed in April 1985. The parents of 5301 children, aged 6 months to 16 years, from different rural areas in mid Sweden were sent a validated questionnaire and 4990 (94%) responded. The cumulative prevalence of bronchial hyperreactivity was 9.7% and of allergic asthma 5.2%. Children living near a paper pulp plant more often had symptoms suggesting bronchial hyperreactivity (124 (13.0%), relative risk 1.3) and allergic asthma (68 (7.1%), relative risk 1.3). In children living in a damp house problem bronchial hyperreactivity was found in 76 (19.0%) (relative risk 1.9) and allergic asthma in 35 (8.7%) of the children (relative risk 1.9). Children living in a damp house with parents who smoked had the highest figures: bronchial hyperreactivity was found in 44 (23.5%) (relative risk 2.8) and allergic asthma in 22 (11.6%) (relative risk 2.5). The results indicate that various moderate environmental pollutants may act synergistically to increase bronchial hyperreactivity and allergy especially in children with a family history of allergy.
Andrae
S
S
Primary Health Care, Norrköping, Sweden.
Axelson
O
O
Björkstén
B
B
Fredriksson
M
M
Kjellman
N I
NI
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003371:Cough / Q000453:epidemiology; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011058:Pollen; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012424:Rural Population; D012907:Smoking; D013548:Sweden
D004785:Environmental Pollutants