Source: Annual Congress 2001 - Markers of obstructive lung disease
Disease area: Airway diseases

Abstract

In this study we investigate the relationship between indicators of building dampness and asthma and bronchitis in young adults (20-45 years) in Sweden.
The study comprised 2084 randomly selected subjects from three Swedish centres participating in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). The centres were Umeå, Uppsala and Göteborg. The investigation included detailed interview questionnaire, spirometry, methacholine challenge and a blood test for IgE measurement.
Of the 2084 subjects responding, 136 (6.5%) reported water damage in their homes in the last 12 months. Subjects with water damage had a significantly higher prevalence of attack of breathlessness after activity (7.2% vs 14.0% p<0.001), long term cough (17.2% vs 27.2% p<0.001) and chronic bronchitis (8.2% vs 14.8% p<0.05). These associations remained significant after adjusting for other possible confounders such as smoking, atopic sensitisation and other indoor variables.
In conclusion, self reported household water damage is associated to attacks of breathlessness after activity, long term cough and chronic bronchitis.

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M. I. Gunnbjornsdottir, D. Norback, P. Plaschke, E. Norrman, C. Janson (Uppsala, Goteborg, Umea, Sweden). The relationship between indicators of building dampness and respiratory health in young Swedish adults. Eur Respir J 2001; 16: Suppl. 31, 3412

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