Cross-Sectional Study to Identify Potential Risk Factors for Eczema within the Common Household Environment in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Much attention has been focused on environmental risk factors and their roles in eczema development. In this regard, the specific eczema risk factors in Taiwan were relatively unknown. As such, this study investigated the common indoor risk factors present in Taiwanese households. AIMS: To discuss the effects of several indoor risk factors on the prevalence of atopic eczema in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study was performed in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, using both survey investigation and fungal culturing. A total of 998 participants were enrolled in the survey, with 513 participants selected for fungal culture. Risks of atopic eczema were calculated as odds ratios for various risk factors using logistic regression. The correlation between potential risk factors and the fungal level was analyzed with linear regression. RESULTS: Pet and house plants have an adjusted odds ratio of 1.434 (95% CL: 1.011-2.033) and 1.820 (95% CL: 1.229-2.696), respectively. Additionally, smoking was shown to possess an odds ratio of 1.461 (95% CL: 1.064-2.006). Wood wall has an adjusted odds ratio of 2.143 (95% CL: 1.235-3.658). Frequent bedroom shower use (ß = 0.254) and hours of opened windows (ß = 0.106) have shown significant positive associations with indoor fungal level. CONCLUSION: Pets, house plants, and smoking were concluded to be major risk factors for atopic eczema. Wood wall remained controversial due to its limited sample size and possible confounders. Bedroom shower and window-opening have been shown to increase mold growth, but the lack of association with eczema suggested other allergens besides mold to be the primary eczema trigger.

Correlation between Novel Potential Indoor Risk Factors and Frequency of Doctor's Visit for Respiratory Problem in Taiwan's Tropical Environment.

BACKGROUND: With a global rising trend in prevalence of allergic diseases, more attention has been paid to investigation of environmental risk factors. Many risk factors have so far been identified. However, novel risk factors specific to Taiwanese environment and lifestyle were still relatively unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential effects of a number of little-known indoor risk factors on the frequency of doctor's visit for respiratory problems in context of Taiwanese environment and lifestyle. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study was performed on a 861 participants around Kaohsiung area, Taiwan. Survey investigation was employed to assess the household environment and the frequency of doctor's visit for respiratory problems. RESULTS: Participants who performed "daily cleaning" was shown to have a significantly (p=0.007) higher mean number of doctor's visits in comparison to those who did not. Similar observation was made for participants who periodically took out beddings (p=0.042). Age had a significant positive correlation (linear regression ß 0.089) with frequency of respiratory problems. CONCLUSION: The habit of daily cleaning was implicated as a potential indoor risk factor due to the unique nature of Taiwanese cleaning habit and close contact with cleaning supplies, which could serve as chemical irritants. Bedding takeout was predicted to be an indicator of chronic allergies rather than an actual risk factor. However, both were controversial in their role as potential indoor risk factor, and required further examination.

A cross-sectional study into the correlation of common household risk factors and allergic rhinitis in Taiwan's tropical environment.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effect of lesser-known potential risk factors, such as bedroom showers, on the prevalence of allergic rhinitis. METHOD: A cross-sectional, population-based study was performed using both survey and fungal culturing in southern Taiwan. There were 998 participants enrolled in the survey, and 513 sets of fungal culture obtained. With score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR) more than 7, the patient was defined to have allergic rhinitis. Risks of allergic rhinitis were calculated as odds ratios for various predicted risk factors by logistic regression. Correlation between predicted risk factors and fungal level were examined with linear regression. RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratio of frequently using bedroom shower to having allergic rhinitis was 1.572 (95% confidence interval: 1.090-2.265), and 0.962 for people with older age to have AR (95% confidence interval: 0.949-0.976). As to the 24-hour fungal level, the standardized coefficient was 0.254 for frequent use of bedroom shower, and 0.106 for window open hours. CONCLUSIONS: Use of bedroom shower is a potential risk factor for allergic rhinitis development.