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Association between ambient air pollution and development and persistence of atopic and non‐atopic eczema in a cohort of adults
Author(s) -
Lopez Diego J.,
Lodge Caroline J.,
Bui Dinh S.,
Waidyatillake Nilakshi T.,
Su John C.,
Perret Jenny L.,
Knibbs Luke D.,
Erbas Bircan,
Thomas Paul S.,
Hamilton Garun S.,
Thompson Bruce R.,
Abramson Michael J.,
Walters E. Haydn,
Dharmage Shyamali C.,
Bowatte Gayan,
Lowe Adrian J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/all.14783
Subject(s) - atopy , medicine , asthma , odds ratio , atopic dermatitis , incidence (geometry) , aeroallergen , allergy , immunology , environmental health , allergen , physics , optics
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 [NO 2 ], fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm [PM 2.5 ]) 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 baselineNO 2 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/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 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.