title: Increased rates of asthma among World Trade Center disaster responders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies have documented high rates of asthma symptoms among responders to the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster. However, whether there are increased rates of asthma among responders compared to the general population is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of a prospective cohort of 20,834 responders participating in the WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program between July 2002 and December 2007. We calculated prevalence and standardized morbidity ratios (SMRs) of lifetime asthma and 12-month asthma (defined as ≥1 attacks in the prior 12 months) among WTC responders. The comparison population consisted of >200,000 adults who completed the National Health Interview Survey in 2000 (for pre-9/11 comparisons) and between 2002 and 2007 (for post-9/11 comparisons).
  
  
  RESULTS
  WTC responders were on average 43 ± 9 years old, 86% male, 59% white, and 42% had an occupation in protective services. The lifetime prevalence of asthma in the general population was relatively constant at about 10% from 2000 to 2007. However, among WTC responders, lifetime prevalence increased from 3% in 2000, to 13% in 2002, and 19% in 2007. The age-adjusted overall SMR for lifetime asthma among WTC responders was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.8-1.9) for men and 2.0 (95% CI: 1.9-2.1) for women. Twelve-month asthma was also more frequent among WTC responders compared to the general population (SMR 2.4, 95% CI: 2.2-2.5) for men and 2.2 (95% CI: 2.0-2.5) for women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  WTC responders are at an increased risk of asthma as measured by lifetime prevalence or active disease.
authors: Department of Population Health, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
authors: Hyun
authors: H
authors: Kim
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Herbert
authors: Philip
authors: P
authors: Landrigan
authors: Steven B
authors: SB
authors: Markowitz
authors: Jacqueline M
authors: JM
authors: Moline
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Savitz
authors: Andrew C
authors: AC
authors: Todd
authors: Iris G
authors: IG
authors: Udasin
authors: Juan P
authors: JP
authors: Wisnivesky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018635:Rescue Work; D012306:Risk; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks