Association Between Organic Dust Exposure and Adult-Asthma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Case-Control Studies

Abstract

BackgroundExposure to organic dust has been widely investigated as a potential risk factor for asthma with different results. To clarify a potential relationship, we performed the present meta-analysis to integrate the results of studies examining the association of organic dust exposure with asthma.MethodsA comprehensive literature search in the electronic databases including EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library databases (up to August 2018) was conducted. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for organic dust exposure and asthma were retrieved and pooled to generate summary effect estimates in Revman 5.2.ResultsDatabase searches retrieved 1,016 records. A total of 17 studies containing 3,619 cases and 6,585 controls were finally included in our meta-analysis. The summary estimates suggested that organic dust exposure was positively associated with asthma (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.26–1.75; P < 0.00001), whether among population-based case-control studies (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.13–1.35; P < 0.00001) or hospital-based case-control studies (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.27–6.12; P = 0.01). Subgroup analysis showed that paper/wood (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.38–1.90; P < 0.00001), flour/grain (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.11–1.97; P = 0.008), and textile dust (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.08–2.09; P = 0.02) exposure were significantly associated with asthma.ConclusionsBased on the studies evaluated, our meta-analysis results prompt that organic dust exposure is a risk factor inducing asthma, although precise analysis focus on specific organic dust materials is still warranted.

Identifying risk factors for COPD and adult-onset asthma: an umbrella review

“…Six reviews examined occupational risk factors for asthma [ 20 , 25 , 30 , 34 , 44 , 48 ]. R omero S tarke et al .…”

“…Furthermore, Z hang et al . [ 25 ] identified exposure to organic dust when compared to healthy individuals to increase asthma risk in different occupations. They found associations with paper/wood dust (mOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.38–1.90), flour/grain (mOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.11–1.97) and textile dust (mOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.08–2.09).…”

“…Two reviews reported wood dust workers to be at an increased risk for asthma [ 25 , 34 ], which was also one of the workplace irritants included by B aur et al . [ 44 ].…”

Wood dust and asthma

“…A meta-analysis based of 19 population studies reported a pooled relative risk of asthma of 1.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-1.87) [28,31]. Although the overall global prevalence of asthma in wood workers, is 6-18%, its prevalence in Africa appears to be lower (3-7%) [32].…”

A Scoping Analysis of Cathelicidin in Response to Organic Dust Exposure and Related Chronic Lung Illnesses

“…Exposure to organic dust has also been widely investigated as a potential risk factor for asthma. According to a recent meta-analysis conducted recently by Zhang et al, organic dust exposure is a risk factor for asthma [ 20 ]. The risk of developing asthma depends on the interplay of genetic factors, gender, atopic predisposition, type of organic dust exposure, pesticide exposure, and magnitude and duration of exposure.…”