Wheezing, dampness, and coal fires

Burr, Michael Leslie; Leger, A. S. St; Yarnell, J.W.G.

doi:10.1007/bf02549117

Cited by 26 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…However, although we are aware of the ecological fallacy of assuming that higher admission rates in more deprived communities necessarily indicates that there is a higher admission rate for poorer individual patients, there are a number of environmental factors which may also contribute to an association between asthma morbidity and poverty. Asthma may be exacerbated by damp [44,45] or mouldy [46] housing conditions, although the evidence is not conclusive [47]. Smoking and passive exposure to cigarette smoke in the home is more common among people in lower income groups [13,48], and may increase the morbidity among asthmatics [49].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between asthma admission rates, routes of admission, and socioeconomic deprivation

Watson¹,

Cowen²,

Lewis³

1996

Eur Respir J

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T Th he e r re el la at ti io on ns sh hi ip p b be et tw we ee en n a as st th hm ma a a ad dm mi is ss si io on n r ra at te es s, , r ro ou ut te es s o of f a ad dm mi is ss si io on n, , a an nd d s so oc ci io oe ec co on no om mi ic c d de ep pr ri iv va at ti io on n ABSTRACT: This study aimed to explore the relationship between hospital admissions for asthma and socioeconomic deprivation. A retrospective study examined one year of hospital admissions for asthma in the West Midlands region of England (n=10,044), and in one of the region's wealthier districts, Worcester (n=251). Age standardized admission ratios (SARs) for asthma, and the routes of hospital admission, were compared with the Townsend Deprivation Index for the place of residence.Asthma SAR was strongly associated with deprivation as measured by the Townsend Index for the district of residence (Spearman rank correlation coefficient ρ=0.65; p=0.004). Asthma admission rates for all age groups, except those aged over 65 yrs, were higher in poorer districts. A significantly greater proportion of emergency admissions in poorer districts came via Accident and Emergency departments, rather than general practitioner referrals (ρ=0.76; p<0.001). Within Worcester District, SAR was associated with Townsend Index for the ward of residence (ρ=0.39; p<0.001). This remained significant after excluding repeat admissions (ρ=0.45; p<0.001).We conclude that asthma admissions are strongly associated with deprivation in the community. Differences in the health care received during acute exacerbations by asthma patients from different economic backgrounds is likely to be an important factor in this relationship.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between asthma admission rates, routes of admission, and socioeconomic deprivation

Watson¹,

Cowen²,

Lewis³

1996

Eur Respir J

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“…In Great Britain, in a study population of 1200 children, the risk of wheezing was twofold for those exposed to mold, and also other symptoms were more prevalent for this group (15). In South Wales, wheezing and breathlessness were significantly more prevalent among adults living in apartments with damp bedrooms (64).…”

Section: Allergic Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 97%

Health effects of indoor-air microorganisms

Husman¹

1996

Scand J Work Environ Health

236

156

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“…Cold, directly, and damp, indirectly, increase both the heart's work load and respiratory tract secretions, and it seems reasonable to conclude that these processes are responsible for the increased incidence of cardiorespiratory disease during the winter months. The few studies which have examined this issue, unfortunately, have only investigated the effects on respiratory disease (Burr et al, 1981;Holma and Kjaer, 1980). Nevertheless, their findings do support the idea that cold damp housing is an aetiological factor of major significance; Holma & Kjaer, for example, found that 'residence in damp and cold dwellings have more bearing on these symptoms (of chronic bronchitis) than tobacco smoking'.…”

Section: The Materialist Explanationmentioning

confidence: 99%