title: Environmental home inspection services in Western Europe.
abstract: This review deals with environmental home inspection services in Western Europe provided for patients at the request of attending physicians to improve patient management. Such requests are usually motivated by respiratory or general symptoms which occur or worsen at home. The visit includes a standardised questionnaire as well as environmental sampling such as mite-allergen measurement, mould identification and volatile organic compound (VOC) measurements. Besides, some non-respiratory indoor risks are also taken into account. Following the visit, a report is sent to the family and the attending physician. These services have been developed since the early 1990s, but evaluation of their efficacy is still limited. Some studies have demonstrated a reduction in mite-allergen levels and clinical improvement following the visit and implementation of advice provided to the family. However, more studies are needed to further document efficacy and also perform cost-benefit analysis of these services.
authors: Department of Pneumonology and Allergy, North Hospital, Chemin des Bourrelly, 13015, Marseille, France. denis-andre.charpin@ap-hm.fr
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Charpin
authors: Ralph
authors: R
authors: Baden
authors: Valérie
authors: V
authors: Bex
authors: Sandrine
authors: S
authors: Bladt
authors: Carmel
authors: C
authors: Charpin-Kadouch
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Keimeul
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: da Mata
authors: Frédéric
authors: F
authors: de Blay
authors: Martyna
authors: M
authors: Kuske
authors: Yvon
authors: Y
authors: Le Moullec
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: Nicolas
authors: Martine
authors: M
authors: Ott
authors: Roger
authors: R
authors: Marc
authors: Chrisbelle
authors: C
authors: Speyer
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Vervloet
authors: Fabien
authors: F
authors: Squinazi
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000032:analysis; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000191:economics; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds