The combined effect of exposures to vapours, gases, dusts, fumes and tobacco smoke on current asthma

Hanna Hisinger-Mölkänen, Hannu Kankaanranta, Tari Haahtela, Anssi Sovijärvi, Leena Tuomisto, Heidi Andersén, Ari Lindqvist, Helena Backman, Arnulf Langhammer, Eva Rönmark, Pinja Ilmarinen, Paula Pallasaho, Päivi Piirilä

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)
    9 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Smoking, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and occupational exposure to vapours, gases, dusts or fumes (VGDF) increase asthma symptoms. The impact of combined exposure is less well established. We aimed to evaluate the risk of combined exposure to smoking, ETS and VGDF on the prevalence of current asthma and asthma-related symptoms with a postal survey among a random population of 16,000 adults, aged 20–69 years (response rate 51.5%). The 836 responders with physician-diagnosed asthma were included in the analysis. Of them, 81.9% had current asthma defined as physician-diagnosed asthma with current asthma medication use or reported symptoms. There was a consistently increasing trend in the prevalence of current asthma by increased exposure. The highest prevalence of multiple symptoms was in smokers with VGDF exposure (92.1%) compared to the unexposed (73.9%, p = 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, combined exposure to several exposures increased the risk in all analysed symptoms (p = 0.002–0.007). In conclusion, smoking and exposure to ETS or VGDF increased the prevalence of current asthma and multiple symptoms. The combined exposure carried the highest risk. Preventive strategies are called for to mitigate exposure to tobacco smoke and VGDF.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalClinical Respiratory Journal
    Volume16
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2022
    Publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

    Keywords

    • asthma
    • ETS
    • exposure
    • smoking
    • symptoms
    • tobacco smoke
    • VGDF

    Publication forum classification

    • Publication forum level 1

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Immunology and Allergy
    • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
    • Genetics(clinical)

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