Abstract
The question addressed by the study Are long-term Household Air Pollutions (HAPs) associated with asthma and lung function decline in middle-aged adults, and whether these associations were modified by GST gene variants, ventilation and atopy.
Materials and Methods Prospective data on HAPs (heating, cooking, mould, smoking) and asthma were collected in the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS) at mean ages 43 and 53 years (n=3314). Subsamples had data on lung function (n=897) and GST gene polymorphisms (n=928). Latent class analysis was used to characterise longitudinal patterns of exposure. Regression models assessed associations and interactions.
Results We identified seven longitudinal HAP profiles. Of these, 3 were associated with persistent asthma, greater lung function decline and %reversibility by age 53 years, compared to “least exposed” profile, for who used reverse cycle air conditioning, electric cooking and without smoking. “All gas”(OR:2.64, 95%CI 1.22–5.70), “wood heating/smoking” (2.71, 1.21–6.05) and “wood heating/gas cooking” (2.60, 1.11–6.11) were associated with persistent asthma, greater lung function decline and %reversibility. Participants with GSTP1 Ile/Ile genotypes were at a higher risk of asthma or greater lung function decline when exposed compared to other genotypes. Exhaust fan use and opening windows frequently could reduce the adverse effects of HAP produced by combustion heating and cooking on current asthma presumably through increasing ventilation.
Answer to the question Exposures to wood heating, gas cooking and heating, and tobacco smoke over 10 years increased the risks of persistent asthma, lung function decline and %reversibility, with evidence of interaction by GST genes and ventilation.
Footnotes
This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal. It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article.
Conflict of interest: Miss. Dai has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Bui has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Perret reports grants from NHMRC of Australia, grants from Asthma Foundation (Vic Tas Qld), during the conduct of the study; grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, outside the submitted work.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Lowe reports grants from National Health and Medical Research Council, during the conduct of the study.
Conflict of interest: Professor Prith has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Bowatte has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Thomas has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Giles has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Hamilton has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Tsimiklis has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Hui has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Burgess has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Win has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Abramson reports grants from Pfizer, grants from Boehringer-Ingelheim, personal fees from Sanofi, outside the submitted work.
Conflict of interest: Professor Walters has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Professor. Dharmage has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Lodge has nothing to disclose.
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- Received March 9, 2020.
- Accepted August 7, 2020.
- Copyright ©ERS 2020