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1.
Acta Derm Venereol ; 104: adv34961, 2024 Jun 03.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38828609

Atopic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, food allergy, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and/or asthma are common. In Denmark, however, there are multiple referral pathways for these diseases in the healthcare system and they are poorly understood. To describe how children with atopic diseases navigate their way through the Danish healthcare system, a questionnaire was distributed to children aged ≤ 17 years, who were being treated for atopic diseases between August 2020 and June 2021, either by a practising specialist or a hospital department, in the Capital Region of Denmark. A total of 279 children completed the questionnaire and most were referred to a specialist or to a hospital by their general practitioner. No "common track" to hospital existed for patients with ≥ 3 atopic diseases. These patients were more often referred to a hospital compared with children with 2 atopic diseases or fewer (odds ratio [OR] 3.79; 95% CI 2.07-7.24). The primary determinants for hospital treatment were food allergy (OR 4.69; 95% CI 2.07-10.61) and asthma (OR 2.58; 95% CI 1.18-5.63). In conclusion, children with multiple atopic diseases were more likely to be referred to hospital departments than to practising specialists, mainly due to food allergies.


Referral and Consultation , Humans , Denmark/epidemiology , Child , Male , Female , Adolescent , Child, Preschool , Food Hypersensitivity/epidemiology , Food Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Infant , Asthma/epidemiology , Asthma/diagnosis , Asthma/therapy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Dermatitis, Atopic/epidemiology , Dermatitis, Atopic/diagnosis , Dermatitis, Atopic/therapy , Hospital Departments
2.
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis ; 28(6): 287-294, 2024 Jun 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38822484

BACKGROUNDGiven the high prevalence of asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap (ACO) in Vietnam, there is an urgent need to establish a simplified strategy for categorising patients as either having asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This classification would streamline the application of treatment recommendations outlined by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD).METHODSPatients with obstructive lung function were classified as having COPD, asthma, or ACO based on GINA/GOLD guidelines. We hypothesised that ACO-like asthma (ACO-A) would present with positive skin prick tests (SPTs) or early onset of symptoms without a history of tuberculosis (TB), while those with ACO-like COPD (ACO-B) would exhibit negative SPTs and late onset of symptoms and/or a history of TB.RESULTSAmong 235 patients, the prevalence of asthma, ACO-A, ACO-B, and COPD was respectively 21%, 22%, 17%, and 40%. Allergic history, rhinitis, and childhood asthma were associated with ACO-A, while high cumulative smoking was correlated with ACO-B. Socio-economic and demographic parameters, medical history, clinical features, smoking habits, lung function, and para-clinical investigations significantly differed between "all asthma" (i.e., individuals with asthma combined with ACO-A) and "all COPD" (i.e., individuals with COPD combined with ACO-B).CONCLUSIONBased on SPTs, history of TB, and onset age, ACO patients may be defined as people with asthma or COPD..


Asthma , Phenotype , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Humans , Middle Aged , Male , Female , Prevalence , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Adult , Asthma/epidemiology , Asthma/diagnosis , Vietnam/epidemiology , Aged , Skin Tests , Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap Syndrome/epidemiology , Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap Syndrome/diagnosis
3.
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol ; 23(2): 127-138, 2024 Apr 07.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38822508

The tragic COVID-19 pandemic affected many children worldwide. Among the factors that may influence the course of viral infections including COVID-19, it is still uncertain whether atopy has a protective or predisposing role. The study aims to address the knowledge gap by investigating the prevalence and severity of COVID-19 among atopic children in Kerman, in 2022. A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study on children with a history of atopy was performed in Kerman Medical University. Demographic information, type of atopy (including allergic rhinitis, Hyper-Reactive Airway Disease (HRAD) or asthma, eczema, urticaria, anaphylaxis, and food allergy), history of COVID-19 infection, and disease severity were recorded. A total of 1007 children and adolescents, (boys: 56.4%, girls: 43.6%, age:5.61±2.64 years) were included in the study. History of COVID-19 infection was positive in 53.5%, with 75.9% of the cases exhibiting mild disease severity. The frequency of atopies was HRAD or asthma (67.2%), allergic rhinitis (42.6%), and food allergy (27.4%). The frequency of COVID-19 cases was significantly higher among patients with HRAD or asthma, whereas it was significantly lower among those with food allergies, anaphylaxis, and eczema. Among atopic individuals, COVID-19 severity was significantly lower in those with allergic rhinitis, while the opposite trend was observed among food-allergic individuals. This study sheds light on the relationship between atopy and COVID-19 among pediatric patients. It seems specific types of atopies may influence the risk and severity of COVID-19 infection differently. A better understanding of these associations can inform clinical management and preventive measures for vulnerable pediatric populations.


COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Severity of Illness Index , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/immunology , Iran/epidemiology , Female , Male , Cross-Sectional Studies , Child , Prevalence , Child, Preschool , Adolescent , Asthma/epidemiology , Rhinitis, Allergic/epidemiology , Food Hypersensitivity/epidemiology
4.
Tunis Med ; 102(5): 303-309, 2024 May 05.
Article Fr | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38801289

INTRODUCTION: Allergic rhinitis (AR) in children is a common condition that is a public health problem. Despite a well-codified treatment, clinical improvement is not the rule. AIM: To identify factors affecting the improvement of allergic rhinitis in children under symptomatic treatment. METHODS: A 12-year retrospective descriptive study that included children aged 3 to 15 years, followed for allergic rhinitis. The search for explanatory factors for improvement under treatment was done using a binary logistic regression model. RESULTS: 52 children were included, with a mean age of 7 years (±3). A familial atopy history was present in 37 patients (71%). The presence of factors aggravating allergy was noted, including antibiotic consumption: 31 patients (60%) and overweight: 15 patients (29%). Associated asthma was noted in 42 patients (81%). The allergenic profile has regained a predominance of dust mite allergy (71%) and a significant frequency of multiallergies (79%). Management included therapeutic education and drug treatment. There was improvement in rhinitis in 27 patients (52%) and improvement in asthma in 26 patients (50%). Overweight and high consumption of antibiotics had a negative impact on the therapeutic outcome. A good therapeutic education had a favorable impact. CONCLUSION: AR is a debilitating condition requiring prolonged therapeutic education and drug treatment. The prescription of antibiotics in children with allergic rhinitis should be sparing and weight monitored.


Rhinitis, Allergic , Humans , Child , Retrospective Studies , Rhinitis, Allergic/epidemiology , Rhinitis, Allergic/therapy , Rhinitis, Allergic/diagnosis , Rhinitis, Allergic/drug therapy , Child, Preschool , Female , Adolescent , Male , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Asthma/drug therapy , Asthma/epidemiology , Asthma/therapy , Asthma/diagnosis , Treatment Outcome , Overweight/epidemiology , Overweight/complications
5.
BMJ Paediatr Open ; 8(1)2024 May 23.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38782482

The aim of this study was to characterise paediatric emergency department presentations during the 2023 thunderstorm asthma (TA) epidemic, characterised by a sudden surge in wheeze presentations, with analysis of environmental factors.Wheeze presentations totalled 50 (28%) on 12 June and 18 (19%) 13 June. There was no prior asthma in 39 (57%) and no atopic disorders in 30 (44%). There was neither asthma nor atopic disorders in 8 (12%). 44 (65%) were severe or life-threatening. There were no endotracheal intubations and no deaths. High pollen and air pollution warnings were issued.TA poses a significant, sudden health threat, often in children without asthma. A surge strategy is required.


Asthma , Emergency Service, Hospital , Humans , Asthma/epidemiology , Asthma/etiology , Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Child , London/epidemiology , Male , Female , Child, Preschool , Adolescent , Respiratory Sounds/etiology , Weather , Infant , Air Pollution/adverse effects , Pollen/adverse effects
6.
Pediatr Pulmonol ; 59(6): 1569-1577, 2024 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38708969

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes community-acquired pneumonia in children and increases asthma risk, but large studies are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To assess the link between M. pneumoniae infection and to asthma exacerbation, in children with allergies, and age of infection impact. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed medical records of South Korean children between January 2002 and December 2017. The study's exposure was hospitalization with an M. pneumoniae-related diagnosis, and the outcome was defined as asthma exacerbation, confirmed by hospitalization at least 6 months after M. pneumoniae infection, with alternative validation using asthma diagnosis and systemic steroid prescription records. Hazard ratios (HRs) for asthma exacerbation risk were estimated for the matched cohort using a Cox proportional hazards model stratified by allergic comorbidities. Time-dependent covariates and age-stratified exposure groups were used to calculate odds ratios. RESULTS: The study included 84,074 children with M. pneumoniae infection and 336,296 unexposed children. Follow-up for 12.2 ± 2.3 years found the exposed group had a significant risk of asthma exacerbation (HR 2.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.67-3.06) regardless of allergic comorbidities. The risk was highest (over threefold) in children infected between 24 and 71 months. Sensitivity analysis using an alternative definition of the outcome showed an HR of 1.38 (95% CI 1.35-1.42), further supporting the association between M. pneumoniae infection and asthma exacerbation. CONCLUSION: M. pneumoniae infection was significantly associated with an increased risk of subsequent asthma exacerbation regardless of allergic comorbidities. Further research needed for understanding and confirmation.


Asthma , Mycoplasma pneumoniae , Pneumonia, Mycoplasma , Humans , Asthma/epidemiology , Asthma/microbiology , Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/epidemiology , Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/complications , Female , Retrospective Studies , Male , Child , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Child, Preschool , Infant , Age Factors , Adolescent , Disease Progression , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Risk Factors , Proportional Hazards Models
7.
Chron Respir Dis ; 21: 14799731241251827, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38717428

Asthma and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are common respiratory disorders. They share characteristics such as airway obstruction, poor sleep quality, and low quality of life. They are often present as comorbidities, along with obesity, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and allergic rhinitis (AR), which impacts the disease's control. In recent years, there has been discussion about the association between these conditions and their pathophysiological and clinical consequences, resulting in worse health outcomes, increased healthcare resource consumption, prolonged hospital stays, and increased morbidity and mortality. Some studies demonstrate that treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can have a beneficial effect on both pathologies. This review summarizes the existing evidence of the association between asthma and OSA at their pathophysiological, epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic levels. It intends to raise awareness among healthcare professionals about these conditions and the need for further research.


Asthma , Continuous Positive Airway Pressure , Gastroesophageal Reflux , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive , Humans , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/therapy , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/epidemiology , Asthma/therapy , Asthma/epidemiology , Asthma/complications , Continuous Positive Airway Pressure/methods , Gastroesophageal Reflux/therapy , Gastroesophageal Reflux/epidemiology , Rhinitis, Allergic/therapy , Rhinitis, Allergic/complications , Rhinitis, Allergic/epidemiology , Comorbidity , Obesity/complications , Obesity/therapy , Obesity/epidemiology , Quality of Life , Comprehensive Health Care/methods
8.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 10694, 2024 05 10.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38724620

This study investigated the potential associations between allergic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis) and the development of primary open-angle glaucoma. We utilized authorized data from the Korean National Health Information Database (KNHID), which provides comprehensive medical claims data and information from the National Health Screening Program. We compared the baseline characteristics of subjects with and without allergic diseases and calculated the incidence and risk of glaucoma development. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to determine the risk of glaucoma development in subjects with allergic diseases. A total of 171,129 subjects aged 20-39 with or without allergic diseases who underwent a general health examination between 2009 and 2015 were included. Subjects with allergic diseases exhibited a higher incidence of glaucoma compared to the control group. The hazard ratio (HR) of glaucoma onset was 1.49 and 1.39 in subjects with at least one allergic disease before and after adjusting for potential confounding factors, respectively. Among allergic diseases, atopic dermatitis showed the highest risk for glaucoma development (aHR 1.73) after adjusting for confounders. Allergic rhinitis showed an increased risk for incident glaucoma after adjustment (aHR 1.38). Asthma showed the lowest but still increased risk for glaucoma (aHR 1.22). The associations were consistent in all subgroup analyses stratified by sex, smoking, drinking, exercise, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or history of steroid. In conclusion, allergic diseases are associated with increased risk of glaucoma development. Among allergic diseases, atopic dermatitis showed the highest risk for glaucoma development followed by allergic rhinitis and asthma.


Glaucoma, Open-Angle , Humans , Glaucoma, Open-Angle/epidemiology , Male , Female , Adult , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Young Adult , Risk Factors , Incidence , Cohort Studies , Rhinitis, Allergic/epidemiology , Dermatitis, Atopic/epidemiology , Asthma/epidemiology , Asthma/complications , Hypersensitivity/epidemiology , Hypersensitivity/complications , Proportional Hazards Models
9.
J Bras Pneumol ; 50(2): e20230364, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38808826

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the number of hospitalizations, the length of hospital stay, and mortality due to asthma, as well as the costs to the Unified Health Care System in Brazil between 2008 and 2021. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study using data from the Information Technology Department of the Brazilian Unified Health Care System. Proportional hospitalization and death rates were estimated per 100,000 population by age, microregion, and year. RESULTS: The number of hospitalizations and deaths due to asthma decreased from 2008 to 2021 (205,392 vs. 55,009 and 822 vs. 327, respectively). In addition, a between-sex difference was observed in asthma-related hospitalizations in 2008, and more men were hospitalized in 2021 (51.8%). Asthma mortality rates were similar for both sexes (50.0% each) in 2008, and a slight increase was observed in women's deaths in 2021 (52.9%). Even so, approximately one death/day and more than 55,000 hospitalizations were observed yearly, with a mean length of hospital stay of three days. Additionally, the Southeast region allocated more financial resources to asthma-related hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the number of deaths and hospitalizations due to asthma substantially declined during the study period.


Asthma , Hospitalization , Length of Stay , Humans , Brazil/epidemiology , Asthma/epidemiology , Asthma/mortality , Male , Female , Cross-Sectional Studies , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Middle Aged , Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data , Young Adult , Adolescent , Child , Aged , Child, Preschool , National Health Programs/statistics & numerical data , Infant , Sex Distribution , Age Distribution
10.
Pediatr Allergy Immunol ; 35(5): e14141, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38773752

Fetal programming may arise from prenatal exposure and increase the risk of diseases later in life, potentially mediated by the placenta. The objective of this systematic review was to summarize and critically evaluate publications describing associations between human placental changes and risk of atopic disorders during childhood. The review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. The inclusion criteria were original research articles or case reports written in English describing a human placental change in relation to disease occurring in offspring during childhood. The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for eligible studies. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. The results were pooled both in a narrative way and by a meta-analysis. Nineteen studies were included (n = 12,997 participants). All studies had an overall serious RoB, and publication bias could not be completely ruled out. However, five studies showed that histological chorioamnionitis in preterm-born children was associated with asthma-related problems (pooled odds ratio = 3.25 (95% confidence interval = 2.22-4.75)). In term-born children, a large placenta (≥750 g) increased the risk of being prescribed anti-asthma medications during the first year of life. Placental histone acetylation, DNA methylation, and gene expression differences were found to be associated with different atopic disorders in term-born children. There is some evidence supporting the idea that the placenta can mediate an increased risk of atopic disorders in children. However, further studies are needed to validate the findings, properly control for confounders, and examine potential mechanisms.


Placenta , Child , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy , Asthma/epidemiology , Chorioamnionitis/epidemiology , Fetal Development , Hypersensitivity, Immediate/epidemiology , Placenta/pathology , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
11.
Cien Saude Colet ; 29(5): e02362023, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38747763

This article aims to evaluate the association between birth weight and asthma in adulthood, estimated by employing structural equation modeling. Cohort study with 1,958 participants aged 23-25 years from Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Standardized questionnaires were applied and pulmonary function evaluated, including bronchial reactivity with methacholine. A theoretical model was proposed to explore the effects of birth weight and asthma in adulthood. Asthma, socioeconomic status at birth (Birth SES), and current socioeconomic status (Adult SES) were obtained by constructs. Maternal age, sex, skin color, body mass index (BMI), smoking, parental asthma history, history of respiratory infection before five years old, history of hospitalization for lung disease before two years old, and atopy were the studied variables. 14.1% of participants were diagnosed with asthma. Birth weight was associated with asthma (Standardized Coefficient - SCtotal=-0.110; p=0.030), and an indirect effect was also observed (SCindirect=-0.220; p=0.037), mediated by hospitalization before two years and respiratory infection before five years. Lower birth weight showed an increased risk of asthma in adulthood and the SES Birth and Adult SES variables underlie this association.


Asthma , Birth Weight , Humans , Brazil/epidemiology , Asthma/epidemiology , Female , Adult , Male , Young Adult , Cohort Studies , Risk Factors , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires , Birth Cohort , Socioeconomic Factors , Social Class , Respiratory Function Tests , Models, Theoretical
12.
NPJ Prim Care Respir Med ; 34(1): 8, 2024 May 03.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38702303

Symptoms of asthma and COPD often overlap, and both diseases can co-exist in one patient. The asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) and clinical COPD questionnaire (CCQ) were developed to assess disease burden in respectively asthma or COPD. This study explores the possibility of creating a new questionnaire to assess disease burden in all obstructive lung diseases by integrating and reducing questions of the ACQ and CCQ. Data of patients with asthma, COPD and asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) were collected from a primary and secondary care center. Patients completed ACQ and CCQ on the same day. Linear regression tested correlations. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used for item reduction. The secondary cohort with asthma and COPD patients was used for initial question selection (development cohort). These results were reproduced in the primary care cohort and secondary cohort of patients with ACO. The development cohort comprised 252 patients with asthma and 96 with COPD. Correlation between ACQ and CCQ in asthma was R = 0.82, and in COPD R = 0.83. PCA determined a selection of 9 questions. Reproduction in primary care data (asthma n = 1110, COPD n = 1041, ACO = 355) and secondary care data of ACO patients (n = 53) resulted in similar correlations and PCA-derived selection of questions. In conclusion, PCA determined a selection of nine questions of the ACQ and CCQ: working title 'the Obstructive Lung Disease Questionnaire'. These results suggest that this pragmatic set of questions might be sufficient to assess disease burden in obstructive lung disease in both primary as secondary care.


Asthma , Cost of Illness , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Humans , Male , Female , Asthma/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Middle Aged , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , Aged , Adult , Primary Health Care/statistics & numerical data
13.
NPJ Prim Care Respir Med ; 34(1): 11, 2024 May 16.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38755181

Tobacco control policies can protect child health. We hypothesised that the parallel introduction in 2008 of smoke-free restaurants and bars in the Netherlands, a tobacco tax increase and mass media campaign, would be associated with decreases in childhood wheezing/asthma, respiratory tract infections (RTIs), and otitis media with effusion (OME) presenting in primary care. We conducted an interrupted time series study using electronic medical records from the Dutch Integrated Primary Care Information database (2000-2016). We estimated step and slope changes in the incidence of each outcome with negative binomial regression analyses, adjusting for underlying time-trends, seasonality, age, sex, electronic medical record system, urbanisation, and social deprivation. Analysing 1,295,124 person-years among children aged 0-12 years, we found positive step changes immediately after the policies (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.14 for wheezing/asthma; IRR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.13-1.19 for RTIs; and IRR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.14-1.36 for OME). These were followed by slope decreases for wheezing/asthma (IRR: 0.95/year, 95% CI: 0.93-0.97) and RTIs (IRR: 0.97/year, 95% CI: 0.96-0.98), but a slope increase in OME (IRR: 1.05/year, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09). We found no clear evidence of benefit of changes in tobacco control policies in the Netherlands for the outcomes of interest. Our findings need to be interpreted with caution due to substantial uncertainty in the pre-legislation outcome trends.


Asthma , Primary Health Care , Respiratory Sounds , Respiratory Tract Infections , Humans , Child, Preschool , Infant , Primary Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Female , Male , Netherlands/epidemiology , Child , Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology , Respiratory Tract Infections/prevention & control , Asthma/epidemiology , Smoke-Free Policy/legislation & jurisprudence , Infant, Newborn , Interrupted Time Series Analysis , Tobacco Smoke Pollution/prevention & control , Otitis Media/epidemiology , Incidence , Tobacco Control
14.
JAMA Netw Open ; 7(5): e2410740, 2024 May 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38758558

Importance: The association of use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) with the age of asthma onset is unknown. Objective: To explore the association of past 30-day ENDS use with the age of asthma onset in adults and youths who did not have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and never used cigarettes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study was a secondary analysis of waves 1 to 6 of the US nationally representative Population of Tobacco and Health Study (2013-2021). Eligible participants included adults (≥18 years) and youths (12-17 years) who did not have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at the first wave of participation. Data analysis was conducted from September 2022 to April 2024. Exposure: Past 30-day ENDS use at the first wave of participation in the study preceding the onset of asthma. Main outcome and measures: Lower and upper age limits were estimated using the age reported at the first wave of participation and the number of weeks between follow-up waves until asthma was first reported or censored. The association of past 30-day ENDS use with the age of asthma onset was estimated using weighted interval-censoring Cox regression. The cumulative hazard function for the age of asthma onset was estimated using interval-censoring survival analysis. Results: A total of 24 789 participants were included, with 7766 adults (4461 female [weighted percentage, 59.11%] and 3305 male [weighted percentage, 40.89%]), representing 80.0 million adults, and 17 023 youths (8514 female [weighted percentage, 50.60%] and 8496 male [weighted percentage 49.32%]), representing 33.9 million youths. By age 27 years, 6.2 per 1000 adults reported asthma incidence (hazard ratio [HR], 0.62%; 95% CI, 0.46%-0.75%). While controlling for covariates, there was a 252% increased risk of the onset of asthma at earlier ages for adults who used ENDS in the past 30 days vs adults who did not (adjusted HR, 3.52; 95% CI, 1.24-10.02). For youths, there was no association of ENDS use in the past 30 days with age of asthma onset (adjusted HR, 1.79; 95% CI, 0.67-4.77), which could be due to a lack of statistical power. Conclusion and relevance: In this cohort study, past 30-day ENDS use among adults was associated with earlier ages of asthma onset. These findings suggest that prevention and cessation programs directed to adults who use ENDS are needed to educate the public, protect public health, prevent adverse health outcomes, and motivate users to stop. Furthermore, modifying symptom-screening asthma guidelines, resulting in earlier asthma detection and treatment, may reduce morbidity and mortality due to asthma.


Age of Onset , Asthma , Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems , Humans , Asthma/epidemiology , Female , Male , Adolescent , Adult , Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems/statistics & numerical data , United States/epidemiology , Young Adult , Cohort Studies , Child , Middle Aged , Vaping/epidemiology
15.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 121(22): e2320338121, 2024 May 28.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38768355

Electric school buses have been proposed as an alternative to reduce the health and climate impacts of the current U.S. school bus fleet, of which a substantial share are highly polluting old diesel vehicles. However, the climate and health benefits of electric school buses are not well known. As they are substantially more costly than diesel buses, assessing their benefits is needed to inform policy decisions. We assess the health benefits of electric school buses in the United States from reduced adult mortality and childhood asthma onset risks due to exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5). We also evaluate climate benefits from reduced greenhouse-gas emissions. We find that replacing the average diesel bus in the U.S. fleet in 2017 with an electric bus yields $84,200 in total benefits. Climate benefits amount to $40,400/bus, whereas health benefits amount to $43,800/bus due to 4.42*10-3 fewer PM2.5-attributable deaths ($40,000 of total) and 7.42*10-3 fewer PM2.5-attributable new childhood asthma cases ($3,700 of total). However, health benefits of electric buses vary substantially by driving location and model year (MY) of the diesel buses they replace. Replacing old, MY 2005 diesel buses in large cities yields $207,200/bus in health benefits and is likely cost-beneficial, although other policies that accelerate fleet turnover in these areas deserve consideration. Electric school buses driven in rural areas achieve small health benefits from reduced exposure to ambient PM2.5. Further research assessing benefits of reduced exposure to in-cabin air pollution among children riding buses would be valuable to inform policy decisions.


Air Pollution , Motor Vehicles , Particulate Matter , Schools , Vehicle Emissions , Humans , United States , Vehicle Emissions/prevention & control , Particulate Matter/adverse effects , Asthma/epidemiology , Asthma/etiology , Asthma/mortality , Child , Air Pollutants/adverse effects , Air Pollutants/analysis , Environmental Exposure/adverse effects , Electricity , Adult
16.
Arch Dermatol Res ; 316(5): 181, 2024 May 18.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38762688

Background An increasing body of observational studies has indicated a potential link between allergic diseases, namely atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR), allergic asthma (AA), and psoriasis (PSO) as well as psoriatic arthritis (PSA). However, the presence and causal direction of this association remain uncertain. Methods We conducted two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) analyses utilizing summary statistics derived from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) consortia. The summary statistics were obtained from a substantial participant cohort, consisting of 116,000 individuals (21,000 AD cases and 95,000 controls), 462,933 individuals (26,107 AR cases and 436,826 controls), and 140,308 individuals (4859 AA cases and 135,449 controls). The summary statistics for PSO (9267 cases and 360,471 controls) and PSA (3186 cases and 240,862 controls) were sourced from the FinnGen database. The primary analytical approach employed inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the main method within TSMR. We validated our findings through a series of sensitivity analyses. Furthermore, we performed reverse TSMR analyses to evaluate the potential presence of reverse causality. Results Our investigation revealed a potential protective effect of AD against both PSO (OR = 0.922, 95% CI = 0.863-0.984, p = 0.015)and PSA(OR = 0.915, 95% CI = 0.843-0.993, p = 0.033). Moreover, employing inverse MR analysis, we obtained compelling evidence supporting the protective role of PSO in preventing AD (OR = 0.891, 95% CI = 0.829-0.958, p = 0.002), as well as AR (OR = 0.998, 95% CI = 0.996-0.999, p = 0.008), these associations remained statistically significant even after Bonferroni correction was applied to account for multiple comparisons. Furthermore, our findings did not reveal any substantial causal relationship between AA and either PSO or PSA. Conclusion Our study provides compelling evidence that PSO significantly confers protection against both AD and AR, while AD is likely to act as a protective factor for both PSO and PSA. Despite previous studies suggesting an association between allergic diseases and the incidence of PSO and PSA, our findings do not support this claim. To obtain more accurate and reliable conclusions regarding the causal mechanisms involved, larger sample sizes in randomized controlled trials or MR studies are warranted.


Arthritis, Psoriatic , Genome-Wide Association Study , Mendelian Randomization Analysis , Psoriasis , Humans , Mendelian Randomization Analysis/methods , Arthritis, Psoriatic/genetics , Arthritis, Psoriatic/epidemiology , Arthritis, Psoriatic/diagnosis , Psoriasis/genetics , Psoriasis/epidemiology , Psoriasis/immunology , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Rhinitis, Allergic/genetics , Rhinitis, Allergic/epidemiology , Asthma/genetics , Asthma/epidemiology , Dermatitis, Atopic/genetics , Dermatitis, Atopic/epidemiology , Genetic Predisposition to Disease
17.
Allergy Asthma Proc ; 45(3): 166-172, 2024 May 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38755778

Background: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the most common obstructive diseases. Based on the similarities, we aimed to evaluate sinonasal symptoms in patients with asthma or COPD, and compare the two diseases with regard to upper-airway involvement. Methods: Patients with asthma or with COPD who were followed up at Ankara University Immunology and Allergy or Chest Diseases Departments were included in the study. The participants went through pulmonary function tests, skin-prick tests, and disease severity assessment of either disease. Nasal endoscopic evaluations of all the patients were performed in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology. Lund-Mackay scoring was performed on the computed tomography of the paranasal sinus. Chronic rinosinusitis (CRS) diagnosis was made as recent guidelines. Results: A total of 112 subjects (number of women/men: n = 67/45; median age, 49 years [The range for IQR was 22 years]) were included in the study. Fifty-five patients had asthma, 33 had COPD, and 24 were healthy controls. Nasal symptoms were more frequent in the patients with asthma (patients with asthma, n = 52 [98%]; patients with COPD, n = 17 [52%]; controls, n = 9 [38%]) (p < 0.001). The median (IQR) 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) questionnaire score was higher in the patients with asthma (33 [20-50]) than in the patients with COPD (8 [1.5-18.7]) and the control group (3.5 [0-18.7]) (p < 0.01). Patients with asthma had significantly higher prevalence rates of rhinosinusitis than did those in the COPD and the control groups (36%, 15.6%, 8.3%, respectively; p < 0.01). The SNOT-22 optimal cutoff score was calculated as ≥11 to detect the score limit for CRS prediction with the best sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion: As a result, patients with both asthma and COPD may have upper-airway symptoms. CRS, was primarily seen in the patients with asthma. Accordingly, SNOT-22 scores were higher in the patients with asthma than in those in the COPD and the control groups. A referral to the Ear Nose Throat department for further evaluation with nasal endoscopy and computed tomography of the paranasal may be required in a subgroup of patients.


Asthma , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Sinusitis , Humans , Female , Male , Asthma/diagnosis , Asthma/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Sinusitis/epidemiology , Sinusitis/diagnosis , Severity of Illness Index , Respiratory Function Tests , Rhinitis/epidemiology , Rhinitis/diagnosis , Paranasal Sinuses/diagnostic imaging , Paranasal Sinuses/pathology , Young Adult , Skin Tests
18.
Allergy Asthma Proc ; 45(3): 158-165, 2024 May 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38755783

Background: Asthma and allergic rhinitis are pathologically interlinked conditions. Despite skin testing (ST) being pivotal for evaluating allergic sensitization, U.S. data that date back to 1960s on ST reactivity patterns in subjects with asthma remain sparse. Objective: The purpose of this study was to elucidate seasonal, perennial ST responses, and their relationship with asthma severity, early versus late onset disease, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Methods: Five hundred patients with asthma were randomly selected from the National Jewish Health electronic medical record over a 3-year span. Demographic, clinical, and allergen ST reactivity data for a battery of seasonal and perennial allergens were procured, including total IgE levels, asthma onset, and severity, by using t-tests, χ² tests, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), patterns of reactivity were assessed for overall, seasonal, and perennial allergens in relation to IgE levels, asthma onset, and severity. Results: Of the 500 patients, 398 were analyzed. 63.3% were women, 50.1% had adult-onset asthma, and 86.1% had rhinitis; 75.3% tested positive to one or more allergens, with men demonstrating higher overall (p = 0.039) and perennial (p = 0.035) sensitization. ST reactivity varied based on the presence of rhinitis for seasonal (p = 0.028) but not perennial (p = 0.733) allergens. Asthma severity was not significantly associated with ST reactivity (p > 0.10). ST positivity for perennial (p < 0.001) but not seasonal (p = 0.128) allergens was higher in childhood-onset asthma versus adult-onset asthma despite both groups having a large percentage of reactors. Elevated IgE levels correlated with ST reactivity (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Our study represents a unique comprehensive evaluation of ST reactivity in a U.S. asthma population, which is lacking in the literature, when factoring in asthma onset, severity, and IgE levels. Our findings underscore the importance of allergen sensitization in asthma, regardless of severity, concurrent rhinitis symptoms, or asthma onset, which challenge some of the prevailing assumptions about the relationship between allergen sensitization and asthma onset.


Allergens , Asthma , Immunoglobulin E , Skin Tests , Humans , Male , Female , Asthma/immunology , Asthma/epidemiology , Asthma/diagnosis , Allergens/immunology , Immunoglobulin E/blood , Immunoglobulin E/immunology , Adult , Middle Aged , United States/epidemiology , Young Adult , Adolescent , Severity of Illness Index , Child , Aged , Rhinitis, Allergic/immunology , Rhinitis, Allergic/epidemiology , Rhinitis, Allergic/diagnosis , Age of Onset
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