title: [Air pollution, eczema and asthma in Sør-Varanger. Is the high consumption of corticosteroid ointments caused by increased tendency for eczema?].
abstract: Many investigations suggest that a high degree of air-borne pollution increases the prevalence of diseases like asthma and eczema. Sør-Varanger Municipality in Finnmark County in the north of Norway receives much air-borne pollution from domestic industry and from the metallurgic industry on the Kola peninsula in North-Western Russia. We have investigated indirect parameters of morbidity caused by asthma and eczema by analyzing data on drug consumption and hospital admissions. In Sør-Varanger there is high consumption of corticosteroids for dermatological use. Consumption of anti-asthmatic drugs and number of admissions to hospital for asthma and eczema were no higher than expected. We suspect that air-borne pollution, particularly the heavy metal nickel, increases the prevalence and perhaps worsens the degree of eczema in Sør-Varanger.
authors.affiliation: Kommunehelsetjenesten i Sør-Varanger, Bjørnevatn.
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Sunde
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Holtedahl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004485:Eczema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D009824:Ointments
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000393:Air Pollutants; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D009824:Ointments