Identification of Modifiable Risk Factors of Exacerbations in Chronic Respiratory Diseases with Airways Obstruction in Vietnam

Thuy Chau Nguyen, Hoa Vi T. Tran, Thanh Hiep Nguyen, Duc Chien Vo, Isabelle Godin and Olivier Michel
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Thuy Chau Nguyen: Department of Family Medicine, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City 740500, Vietnam
Hoa Vi T. Tran: Department of Family Medicine, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City 740500, Vietnam
Thanh Hiep Nguyen: Department of Family Medicine, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City 740500, Vietnam
Duc Chien Vo: Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City 740500, Vietnam
Isabelle Godin: School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Olivier Michel: Clinic of Immuno-Allergology, CHU Brugmann, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 4 Place A-Van Gehuchten, 1020 Brussels, Belgium

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 17, 1-12

Abstract: Objectives: to determine modifiable risk factors of exacerbations in chronic respiratory diseases with airways obstruction (i.e., asthma and COPD) in southern Vietnam. Methods: an environmental and health-related behavioural questionnaire was submitted to patients with both chronic respiratory symptoms and airways obstruction. An exacerbation was defined as any acute worsening in clinical symptoms requiring a change in treatment, in a patient receiving prophylactic therapy. Results: 235 patients were evaluated, including 131 (56%) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 104 (44%) asthmatics. There were 75% males and 69% smokers. Occupational exposure accounted for 66%, mainly among construction and industry workers. Smoking was associated with more severe airways obstruction. Respiratory exacerbations were reported in 56/235 patients (24%). The risk of exacerbation was increased in patients with a lower education level, exposure to occupational pollutants, cumulative smoking ? 20 pack year, housing space < 10 m 2 , and poorly ventilated housing. Based on multivariate analysis, the risk of exacerbation remained significantly higher among patients with occupational exposure and low housing space per person. Conclusions: besides smoking cessation, more supportive policies, including improvement of occupational environment and housing design for better ventilation, are needed to prevent the severity of chronic respiratory diseases in Vietnam.

Keywords: asthma; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; occupational exposure; indoor ventilation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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