Exposures in the Indoor Environment and Prevalence of Allergic Conditions in the United States of America

Janvier Gasana, Boubakari Ibrahimou, Ahmed N. Albatineh, Mustafa Al-Zoughool and Dina Zein
Additional contact information
Janvier Gasana: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Hawally P.O. Box 24923, Safat 13119, Kuwait
Boubakari Ibrahimou: Department of Biostatistics, Stempel School of Public Health, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Ahmed N. Albatineh: Department of Community Medicine and Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Jabriya P.O. Box 46300, Safat 13119, Kuwait
Mustafa Al-Zoughool: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Hawally P.O. Box 24923, Safat 13119, Kuwait
Dina Zein: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Hawally P.O. Box 24923, Safat 13119, Kuwait

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: Our study examines the association of the presence of mildew, cockroaches, and pets in homes as well as household dust allergens with the prevalence and/or severity of allergic diseases. No study has concurrently assessed home environment exposures in relation to allergic conditions in the general US population. Data from 5409 participants from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) living in their current homes for ?one year were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses between home exposures and allergic diseases prevalence and severity were performed. In adjusted analyses, mildew was associated with higher current asthma, allergies, and allergic rhinitis prevalence; endotoxin, with higher current asthma prevalence; and dust Canis familiaris (Can f) 1, with higher allergic rhinitis prevalence. However, presence of cockroaches and dust Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) 1 were associated, respectively, with lower current asthma and allergies prevalence. Presence of mildew, dust Der f1, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) 1, Felis domesticus (Fel d) 1, and endotoxin were all associated with asthma and/or wheeze severity. Non-atopic asthma was more frequent with mildew and/or musty smell dust and higher dust Fel d1 concentration, while atopic asthma was more prevalent with higher Can f1 and endotoxin concentrations in dust. This study confirms previous relationships and reports novel associations, generating hypotheses for future research.

Keywords: allergy; asthma; wheeze; rhinitis; home allergens; household dust; mildew; cockroach; dust mites; pets; endotoxin; population study; prevalence study; NHANES (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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