title: Decreased FEV1 % in asthmatic adults in Scottish homes with high Environmental Relative Moldiness Index values.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exposures to indoor biological contaminants have been implicated in asthma's aetiology but their effect on lung function is not well quantified.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this cross-sectional study of non-smoking, asthmatic adults in Scotland was to determine the correlation between the results from a standard spirometry test, forced expiratory volume in one-second percent (FEV1 %), and quantitative estimates of some biological exposures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population (n = 55) of non-smoking, adult asthmatics in Scotland was included in this study and each completed a questionnaire that allowed the determination of the Asthma Control Questionnaire scores (ACQ) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores (SGRQ), as well as corticosteroid use. Spirometry testing was completed and the pre-bronchodilator FEV1 % value calculated. At about the same time, floor dust samples were collected in the living room and in the bedroom. These dust samples were analysed for mould contamination, as described by the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) values and by (1, 3)-β-D-glucan concentrations, for endotoxin, and for dust mite, cat, and dog allergen concentrations. The asthmatics' FEV1 % values were tested for correlation (Pearson) to questionnaire-based estimates of health. Also, each biological exposure was tested for correlation (Pearson) to the FEV1 % values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FEV1 % results were correlated with ACQ scores (ρ -0.586, P < 0.001), SGRQ scores (ρ -0.313, P = 0.020), and weakly with corticosteroid use (ρ -0.221, P = 0.105). The ERMI values in the homes (average 5.3) were significantly correlated with FEV1 % values (ρ -0.378, P = 0.004). There was no correlation between FEV1 % and concentrations of endotoxin, (1, 3)-β-D-glucan, or any of the allergens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although these results do not prove that mould exposures caused the deficit in lung function observed in this study, it might be advisable for asthmatics to avoid high ERMI environments.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McSharry
authors.affiliation: National Exposure Research Laboratory, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vesper
authors.affiliation: National Exposure Research Laboratory, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wymer
authors.affiliation: Department of Architecture and Building Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Howieson
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chaudhuri
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Thomson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000391:Air Microbiology; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005658:Fungi; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust
keywords: ERMI; FEV1%; adults; asthma; lung function