Atopic dermatitis and respiratory symptoms in Russian and northern Norwegian school children: a comparison study in two arctic areas and the impact of environmental factors

Abstract

This study disproves a previous hypothesis, i.e. that air pollution must be a major risk factor for the development of atopic diseases. Nevertheless, respiratory tract symptoms may be provoked by environmental pollution. Possible explanations for the higher frequency of atopic diseases in Sør-Varanger may be found in socio-economic and lifestyle differences between the two populations.

Comparison of allergic diseases, symptoms and respiratory infections between Finnish and Russian school children

“…Differences in the occurrence of allergies between the countries were approximately two to three times smaller among school children compared with previous studies on children and adults comparing North Karelia, Finland, and the adjacent areas in Russia [14, 16; Table 4). Our results are better in line with comparisons between Norwegian and Russian children and adults, although those studies used different criteria for allergy [5,33,34]. Thus, the prevalence of allergic diseases seems to vary across areas in Russia relatively close to each other.…”

“…These differences in prevalence have been suggested to depend on genetic factors, differences in diagnostic labelling and awareness of symptoms, and factors associated with indoor and outdoor environment and western lifestyle [1,2,8,9]. Environmental factors such as urbanisation, industrialisation, air pollution, hygienic conditions, mould and smoke exposures, building and furnishing materials and diet have been related to increased or decreased risk, and thus prevalence, of allergic diseases [5,8,[10][11][12][13] and could potentially explain a part of the observed differences.…”

“…Since mid-1990s several epidemiologic and clinical studies have investigated prevalences of allergic diseases in Western compared to Eastern Europe and have often found higher prevalences in Western countries [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. These differences in prevalence have been suggested to depend on genetic factors, differences in diagnostic labelling and awareness of symptoms, and factors associated with indoor and outdoor environment and western lifestyle [1,2,8,9].…”

Dermatitis atópica en niños: estudio comparativo en dos grupos etarios

“…Existen trabajos que avalan el efecto desencadenante de la DA por parte de la inhalación pasiva del humo del tabaco 29,30 . Si bien en el análisis univariado el consumo de tabaco dentro del hogar se asoció con la DA en los niños más pequeños de nuestra investigación, el tabaquismo no resultó un factor de riesgo al incluírlo en el análisis de regresión logística, coincidiendo con Dotterud y col 9 y Sebok y col 12 , autores que tampoco encontraron esta asociación.…”

Environmental epidemiology in Norway

“…Another exposure of much current interest, UV radiation possibly increased by a diminishing stratospheric ozone layer, has also been fruitfully investigated in Norway where in view of the high latitude, UV exposure is less than in more southern countries 31 . Also, heavy industry and associated pollution just across the Norwegian-Russian border has created rare opportunities to search for clues in the aetiology and exacerbation of allergic disease 32,33 as well as cancer and heart disease 34 ; another site polluted by industrial emissions in Norway has also been investigated to elucidate effects or air pollution on bronchial responsiveness in children 35 ; historic nuclear testing across the Russian border has initated studies into thyroid cancer 36 . In conclusion, despite its relatively small population, and its lack of environmental health problems typically associated with high population density, Norwegian researchers have been remarkably productive in the field of environmental epidemiology in the past decades.…”