Home dampness, childhood asthma, hay fever, and airway symptoms in Shanghai, China: associations, dose-response relationships, and lifestyle's influences

Abstract

Numerous studies of associations between dampness and respiratory diseases have been conducted, but their implications remain inconclusive. In this study of 13,335 parent-reported questionnaires (response rate: 85.3%), we analyzed associations between home dampness and asthma and related symptoms in 4- to 6-year-old children in a cross-sectional study of Shanghai. Indicators of home dampness were strongly and significantly associated with dry cough, wheeze, and rhinitis symptoms. In the current residence, children with visible mold spots (VMS) exposure had 32% higher risk of asthma (adjusted OR, 95% CI: 1.32, 1.07-1.64); damp clothing and/or bedding (frequently) was strongly associated with dry cough (1.78, 1.37-2.30); condensation on windows was strongly associated with hay fever (1.60, 1.27-2.01). In the early-life residence, VMS or damp stains (frequently) were strongly associated with dry cough (2.20, 1.55-3.11) and rhinitis ever (1.57, 1.11-2.21). Associations between dampness and diseases among children with or without family history of atopy were similar. The total number of dampness indicators had strong dose-response relationships with investigated health outcomes. Actions, including opening windows of the child's room at night and cleaning the child's room frequently, could potentially mitigate 25% of home VMS, thereby preventing more than 1.5% of attributable risk of the studied symptoms.

Home dampness-related exposures increase the risk of common colds among preschool children in Shanghai, China: Modified by household ventilation

“…In this research, 13,335 questionnaires of 4e6 years old children were analyzed. Demographic information and living habits of dormitory occupants have been reported in details by a previous paper [47]. Relating to this research, forty-nine point two percent (49.2%) of surveyed children were girls.…”

Updated Prevalences of Asthma, Allergy, and Airway Symptoms, and a Systematic Review of Trends over Time for Childhood Asthma in Shanghai, China

“…Thus, it is possible that environmental exposures whose sources are indoors rather than outdoors may have stronger associations with childhood asthma than outdoor air pollution [ 2 , 3 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 30 , 34 ]. We have previously reported that some environmental factors, including pet-keeping [ 56 ], indoor tobacco smoking [ 57 ], using wood as cooking fuel, living within 200m of a highway or busy road [ 58 ], and home dampness-related indicators [ 59 ], have positive and significant associations with childhood asthma and other diseases or symptoms. We have been conducting the case-control study (Phase II of the CCHH study) since March 2013 in Shanghai, and anticipate finding more associated environmental factors.…”

Home environment in relation to allergic rhinitis among preschool children in Beijing, China: A cross-sectional study

“…A cross-sectional study of 8e12-year-old children in 20 countries of an ISAAC Phase Two survey found that dampness was a risk factor for rhinitis, cough and reported eczema [67]. The CCHH study in Shanghai found indicators of home dampness to be significantly associated with dry cough, wheeze, and rhinitis symptoms among 4-6-year-old children [21]. Evidence of dampness problems such as moisture damage, water damage, visible damp stains and condensation on the window panes that have been reported as well as mold, fungi, yeasts and bacteria growing in damp buildings are associated with allergic diseases, respiratory tract infections and SBS (Sick Building Syndromes) symptoms [16,17,20,67e69].…”

“…This scoring method was based on the CCHH study in Chongqing and Shanghai [20,21]. Responses to Question 32 were interpreted as either ''Yes'' for window opened frequently or sometimes in winter or ''No'' for never.…”