title: Associations between home dampness-related exposures and childhood eczema among 13,335 preschool children in Shanghai, China: A cross-sectional study.
abstract: From April 2011 to April 2012, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China. A total of 13,335 modified ISAAC questionnaires (response rate: 85.3%) were returned by parents or guardians for 4-6 year-old children. Six dampness-related indicators (visible mold spots, visible damp stains, damp bed clothing, water damage, window pane condensation, and moldy odor) were used to evaluate home dampness-related exposures. In the present study, we applied logistic regression model to reveal associations, dose-response relationships, and statistical interaction effects of these dampness-related exposures, with childhood eczema, during lifetime since birth (ever) and in the last 12 months before the questionnaire. The dampness-related indicators were frequently reported in the perinatal and current residences. Prevalences of eczema ever and in the last 12 months were 22.9% and 13.2%, respectively. The dampness-related indicators were robustly associated and dose-response related with increased risk of eczema ever and in the last 12 months in the logistic regression analyses, with adjusted for potential confounders. Specifically, in the perinatal residence, visible mold spots or damp stains could increase 46% (OR, 95% CI: 1.46, 1.29-1.66) odds of childhood eczema (ever); in the current residence, visible mold spots and visible damp stains could increase 34% (1.34, 1.14-1.58) and 38% (1.38, 1.22-1.56) odds of childhood eczema (ever), respectively. Associations were not appreciably different between boys and girls, nor were they different between children with and without parental history of atopy. In conclusion, perinatal and current dampness-related exposures in the residence perhaps are risk factors for childhood eczema.
authors.affiliation: Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Jiao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Tongji Architectural Design (Group) Company Limited (TJAD), Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhijun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.affiliation: R&B Technology (Shanghai) Company Limited, Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, PR China. Electronic address: hcyhyywj@163.com.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004485:Eczema / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000502:physiology*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Association; Dampness; Eczema; Interaction effect; Preschool children; Residence