Patterns of asthma symptoms and perceptions of harm from seasonal atmospheric events in rural Western Montana.
To characterize the frequency of and relationship between self-reported asthma symptoms and physician-diagnosed asthma, identify seasons associated with heightened symptoms, and describe the influence of seasonal atmospheric events and ambient environmental factors on asthma symptoms and perceptions of harm, a seven-county region of Western Montana was surveyed, utilizing a two-stage sampling method. Respondents were queried concerning asthma-related history, symptoms, and environmental concerns. Of 2,790 respondents, 12% reported physician-diagnosed asthma. Eighteen percent reported one or more and 9% reported two or more asthma-related symptoms. Over 70% of asthmatics reported worsened asthma symptoms during wildland-fire smoke exposure. Of those reporting summer as the season they experienced the greatest breathing problems, 81% reported breathing problems from wildland-fire smoke (p < 0.01). Of those reporting worsened symptoms in fall or winter, 61% reported breathing problems during winter inversions (p < 0.001).
Schumpert
John C
JC
University of Montana, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Environmental Health Sciences, Missoula 59812, USA. jcs@reoh.com
Noonan
Curtis W
CW
Sylvester
James
J
Vanek
Diana
D
Ward
Tony
T
Holian
Andrij
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009009:Montana / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects
D012906:Smoke