TY - JOUR T1 - Visible moulds, non-allergic and allergic rhinitis and asthma in adults: the EGEA study JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2021.PA1897 VL - 58 IS - suppl 65 SP - PA1897 AU - Laurent Orsi AU - Marine Savouré AU - Jean Bousquet AU - Bénédicte Jacquemin AU - Valérie Siroux AU - Marrita S. Jaakkola AU - Jouni J.K. Jaakkola AU - Benedicte Leynaert* AU - Rachel Nadif* Y1 - 2021/09/05 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/58/suppl_65/PA1897.abstract N2 - *These authors contributed equally to this work.The association between indoor mould exposure and rhinitis has been scarcely investigated in epidemiological studies among adults. We studied this association and potential modifying effect of asthma in the case-control and familial study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma (EGEA).Cross-sectional analyses were performed among the EGEA2 study (second survey). Current rhinitis was defined as a positive response to: “Have you had problems with sneezing, runny nose or stuffy nose when you didn’t have a cold or flu in the last 12 months?”. Allergic (AR) and non-allergic (NAR) rhinitis were defined based on Skin prick tests. Past and current (in the last 12 months) exposures to visible moulds at home were inquired by questionnaire. Logistic regression models took into account familial dependence and were adjusted for age, sex, smoking, education and furry pet’s ownership. Stratification according to asthma status was performed.Mould exposure was reported by 27% (9% in the past, 18% currently) of the 966 adult participants (mean 43 years old, 47% men, 24% smokers, 42% with ever asthma, 62% with current rhinitis, 42% with AR). Significant associations were found for current exposure to visible moulds: adjusted(a)OR for rhinitis was 1.54 [1.07-2.23]. The association was significant for AR (aOR=1.67 [1.11-2.51]) but not for NAR (aOR=1.37 [0.82-2.27]). These results were further observed among never-asthmatics, but no significant modifying effect by asthma was found (all p for interaction>0.25).Exposure to visible moulds is associated with increased risk of current rhinitis and AR, but asthma was not found to modify the associations.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA1897.This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only). ER -