Impact of particulate air pollutants on allergic diseases, allergic skin reactivity and lung function.

Elevated levels of particulate matter can exacerbate existing asthma and atopy, while evidence that it can promote the induction of atopy and asthma is limited. A cross sectional study was taken to compare the prevalence of eye, nose, ear and airway allergic symptoms, allergic skin sensitivity and lung function in 290 high school students with a history of high 24 hour average exposure to particulate matter less than 10 microm in diameter (PM10) = 170 microg/m3 versus low PM10 of 36 microg/m3 in central Bangkok. Multivariate analysis revealed an increased risk of eye and airway symptoms in groups exposed to higher PM10 levels (p = 0.003, and 0.05, respectively). Positive skin prick tests and a history of having a lawn at home were associated with nasal symptoms (p = 0.008 and 0.04, respectively). Mean FEF(25-75%) (forced expiratory flow that occurs during the middle 50% of the forced expiratory effort) was significantly lower in those who were exposed to higher PM10 levels (3.89 +/- 1 vs 4.42 +/- 0.9 l/sec, p < 0.001). A significant increase in days of school absence and medical expenses was associated with high PM10 exposure. It is concluded that chronic exposure to high PM 10 levels was significantly associated with increased prevalence of eye and airway symptoms and a decrement of FEF(25-75%) resulting in increase of school absence and medical expense.

Liver biopsy:complications and risk factors.

AIM:To study the complications and the risk factors of percutaneous liver biopsy, and to compare the complication rate between the periods of 1987-1993 and 1994-1996.METHODS:Medical records of all patients undergoing percutaneous liver biopsy between January 1, 1987 to September 31, 1996 in Songklanagarind Hospital were reviewed retrospectively.RESULTS:There were 484 percutaneous liver biopsies performed. The total complication rate was 6.4%, of which 4.5% were due to major bleeding; the death rate was 1.6%. The important risk factors correlated with bleeding complications and deaths were a platelet count of 70X10(9)/L or less, a prolonged prothrombin time of >3seconds over control, or a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time of > 10 seconds over control. Although physician inexperience was not statistically significantly associated with bleeding complications and deaths, there was a reduction of death rate from 2.2% in 1987-1993 to 0% in 1993-1996. This reduction is thought to result from both increased experience of senior staff and increased supervision of residents.CONCLUSIONS:Screening of platelet count, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time should be done and need to be corrected in case of abnormality before liver biopsy. Percutaneous liver biopsy should be performed or supervised by an expert in gastrointestinal diseases, especially in high risk cases.