Household Environmental Factors for Incidence of Respiratory Symptoms in Adolescents

• Main Authors: Jer-Min Chen, 陳哲民
• Other Authors: 李永凌
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/94890322212562981107

碩士 === 臺灣大學 === 預防醫學研究所 === 98 === Background: The risk of asthma and respiratory symptoms associated with indoor environmental risk factors and tobacco smoke has been examined in both cross-sectional and prospective studies of younger children. However, few studies have investigated the role of the same exposures on respiratory symptoms onset during adolescence. We examined the association of indoor environmental factors and tobacco smoke with the subsequent development of asthma and respiratory symptoms among cohorts of Taiwanese adolescents. Methods: Risk factors for the development of asthma, wheezing disorders and bronchitic symptoms were examined in Taiwan Children Health Study (TCHS) of 3909 7th grade adolescents from 14 different communities in Taiwan at 2007 entry into the study, who were followed for up to 2 years. Newly diagnosed cases of respiratory conditions were identified by follow-up questionnaire in 2009. The risk associated with indoor risk factors and tobacco smoke assessed by questionnaire at entry into the study was examined using Poisson regression model with Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparison. Results: The cumulative incidences of asthma, wheezing disorders and bronchitic symptoms are between 1.4~18.5%. Tobacco smoke was associated with increased risks of developing exercise induced wheeze and bronchitic symptoms. Adolescents who reported smoking had a relative risk (RR) of 1.45(95% confidence interval [CI]=1.01-2.08) for new-onset exercise induced wheeze compared with nonsmokers . The effects of current (RR=1.35; 95% CI=1.01-1.81) and lifetime (RR=1.40; 95% CI=1.04-1.88) secondhand smoke (SHS) were associated with increased risk on chronic cough. An increased risk on developing chronic cough (RR=1.77; 95% CI=1.04-3.00) and phlegm without having cold (RR=1.65; 95% CI=1.03-2.66) with active smoking were noted. The interaction of SHS with asthma or wheeze history of participants at baseline was significant on developing bronchitic symptoms. In our study, there was no significant association between raising furry pets at home, indoor dampness and respiratory symptoms development. Conclusion: We conclude that tobacco smoke is a risk factor for new-onset exercise induced wheeze and bronchitic symptoms in Taiwanese adolescents.