Traffic air pollution and hospital admission for asthma: a case-control approach in a Turin (Italy) population.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the relationship between traffic air pollution and asthma, using a case-control design applied to routinely collected data.


METHODS
Subjects resident in Turin during the period 1997-1999 and admitted for asthma were defined as cases; patients admitted for causes other than respiratory diseases or heart diseases were defined as controls. Nitrogen dioxide and total suspended particulate were considered as indicators of traffic air pollution. Statistical analysis were performed, separately for young (0-14 years), adult (15-64 years) and elderly (>64 years) patients, with a logistic regression model; results are expressed as percentage of risk modification for a 10 g/m(3) increase in exposure to pollutants.


RESULTS
The risk of emergency admissions for asthma rose significantly with increased exposure to nitrogen dioxide [2.4%, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.5%; 4.3%], and total suspended particulate [2.3%, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.1%-3.6%]. The significant association was evident, in particular, among young and elderly patients for both pollutants.


CONCLUSIONS
Using a case-control design both easy to use and manage, the study confirms the significant association between hospital emergency admissions for asthma and exposure to nitrogen dioxide and total suspended particulate pollutants.
Migliaretti
Giuseppe
G
Department of Public Health and Microbiology, University of Turin, Via Santena 5 bis, Turin, Italy. giuseppe.migliaretti@unito.it
Cadum
Ennio
E
Migliore
Enrica
E
Cavallo
Franco
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide / Q000633:toxicity*; D010316:Particle Size; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012621:Seasons; D014186:Transportation; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis
D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide
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