Dampness, mould, onset and remission of adult respiratory symptoms, asthma and rhinitis.

• Published in: European Respiratory Journal
• Main Authors: Wang, Juan, Pindus, Mihkel, Janson, Christer, Sigsgaard, Torben, Kim, Jeong-Lim, Holm, Mathias, Sommar, Johan, Orru, Hans, Gislason, Thorarinn, Johannessen, Ane, Bertelsen, Randi J, Norbäck, Dan
• Other Authors: 1 Dept of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. 2 These authors contributed equally to this work. 3 Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia. 4 Dept of Medical Sciences, Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. 5 Dept of Public Health, Section for Environment, Occupation and Health, Aarhus University, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus, Denmark. 6 Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden. 7 Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dept of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. 8 Landspitali University Hospital (E7), Reykjavik, Iceland. 9 Centre for International Health, Dept of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. 10 Dept of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. 11 Dept of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: European Respiratory Society 2019
• Subjects: Mengun; Loftmengun; Byggingar; Húsasótt; Öndunarfæri; Sjúkdómseinkenni; Air Pollution; Indoor; Signs and Symptoms; Respiratory; Norway; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2336/620961; https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01921-2018

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink below STUDY QUESTION: Is dampness and indoor mould associated with onset and remission of respiratory symptoms, asthma and rhinitis among adults? MATERIALS AND METHODS: Associations between dampness, mould and mould odour at home and at work and respiratory health were investigated in a cohort of 11 506 adults from Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Estonia. They answered a questionnaire at baseline and 10 years later, with questions on respiratory health, home and work environment. RESULTS: Baseline water damage, floor dampness, mould and mould odour at home were associated with onset of respiratory symptoms and asthma (OR 1.23-2.24). Dampness at home during follow-up was associated with onset of respiratory symptoms, asthma and rhinitis (OR 1.21-1.52). Dampness at work during follow-up was associated with onset of respiratory symptoms, asthma and rhinitis (OR 1.31-1.50). Combined dampness at home and at work increased the risk of onset of respiratory symptoms and rhinitis. Dampness and mould at home and at work decreased remission of respiratory symptoms and rhinitis. THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION: Dampness and mould at home and at work can increase onset of respiratory symptoms, asthma and rhinitis, and decrease remission. Icelandic Research Council Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation Vardal Foundation for Health Care and Allergic Research Swedish Association Against Asthma and Allergy Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research Swedish AFA Insurance Bror Hjerpstedt Foundation Norwegian Research Council Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association Danish Lung Association Estonian Science Foundation