title: Rhinitis, asthma and respiratory infections among adults in relation to the home environment in multi-family buildings in Sweden.
abstract: Risk factors for rhinitis, asthma and respiratory infections in the home environment were studied by a questionnaire survey. Totally 5775 occupants (≥ 18 years old) from a stratified random sample of multi-family buildings in Sweden participated (46%). 51.0% had rhinitis in the last 3 months (current rhinitis); 11.5% doctor diagnosed asthma; 46.4% respiratory infections in the last 3 months and 11.9% antibiotic medication for respiratory infections in the last 12 months. Associations between home environment and health were analyzed by multiple logistic regression, controlling for gender, age and smoking and mutual adjustment. Buildings constructed during 1960-1975 were risk factors for day time breathlessness (OR = 1.53, 95%CI 1.03-2.29). And those constructed during 1976-1985 had more current rhinitis (OR = 1.43, 95%CI 1.12-1.84) and respiratory infections (OR = 1.46, 95%CI 1.21-1.78). Cities with higher population density had more current rhinitis (p = 0.008) and respiratory infections (p<0.001). Rented apartments had more current rhinitis (OR = 1.23, 95%CI 1.07-1.40), wheeze (OR = 1.20, 95%CI 1.02-1.41), day time breathlessness (OR = 1.31, 95%CI 1.04-1.66) and respiratory infections (OR = 1.13, 95%CI 1.01-1.26). Living in colder parts of the country was a risk factor for wheeze (p = 0.03) and night time breathlessness (p = 0.002). Building dampness was a risk factor for wheeze (OR = 1.42, 95%CI 1.08-1.86) and day time breathlessness (OR = 1.57, 95%CI 1.09-2.27). Building dampness was a risk factor for health among those below 66 years old. Odor at home was a risk factor for doctor diagnosed asthma (OR = 1.49, 95%CI 1.08-2.06) and current asthma (OR = 1.52, 95%CI 1.03-2.24). Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was a risk factor for current asthma (OR = 1.53, 95%CI 1.09-2.16). Window panel condensation was a risk factor for antibiotic medication for respiratory infections (OR = 1.41, 95%CI 1.10-1.82). In conclusion, rhinitis, asthma and respiratory infections were related to a number of factors in the home environment. Certain building years (1961-1985), building dampness, window panel condensation and odor in the dwelling may be risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University and University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University and University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Engvall
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University and University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Greta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Smedje
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University and University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Norbäck
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult