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Association between ambient air pollution and development and persistence of atopic and non-atopic eczema in a cohort of adults

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 02:34 authored by Lopez, DJ, Lodge, CJ, Bui, DS, Waidyatillake, NT, Su, JC, Perret, JL, Knibbs, LD, Erbas, B, Thomas, PS, Hamilton, GS, Thompson, BR, Abramson, MJ, Eugene WaltersEugene Walters, Dharmage, SC, Bowatte, G, Lowe, AJ

Background: There is limited information on risk factors for eczema in adults. Recent evidence suggests that air pollution may be associated with increased incidence of eczema in adults. We aimed to assess this possible association.

Methods: Ambient air pollution exposures (distance from a major road, nitrogen dioxide [NO2 ], fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm [PM2.5 ]) were assessed for the residential address of Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study participants at ages 43 and 53 years. Eczema incidence (onset after age 43 years), prevalence (at 53 years), and persistence were assessed from surveys, while IgE sensitization was assessed using skin prick tests. The presence or absence of eczema and sensitization was classified into four groups: no atopy or eczema, atopy alone, non-atopic eczema, and atopic eczema. Adjusted logistic and multinomial regression models were fitted to estimate associations between ambient air pollution and eczema, and interaction by sex was assessed.

Results: Of 3153 participants in both follow-ups, 2369 had valid skin prick tests. For males, a 2.3 ppb increase in baselineNO2 was associated with increased odds of prevalent eczema (OR = 1.15 [95% CI 0.98-1.36]) and prevalent atopic eczema (OR = 1.26 [1.00-1.59]). These associations were not seen in females (p for interaction = 0.08, <0.01). For both sexes, a 1.6 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure at follow-up was associated with increased odds of aeroallergen sensitization (OR = 1.15 [1.03-1.30]).

Conclusion: Increased exposure to residential ambient air pollutants was associated with an increased odds of eczema, only in males, and aeroallergen sensitization in both genders.

History

Publication title

Allergy

Volume

76

Issue

8

Pagination

2524-2534

ISSN

0105-4538

Department/School

Tasmanian School of Medicine

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Place of publication

Denmark

Rights statement

© 2021 EAACI and John Wiley and Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Diagnosis of human diseases and conditions

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