The effects of air pollutants and allergens reactivity on the allergic diseases of children in New Taipei City Area

• Main Authors: Zih-Hao Chao, 趙子豪
• Other Authors: Chin-Sheng Tang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/jk2b2w

碩士 === 輔仁大學 === 公共衛生學系碩士班 === 101 === Background and Objective: The prevalence of allergic diseases in children has become a very common public health issue and leads to excessive costs for health care worldwide. Many epidemiological studies have shown that the risk factors of allergic disease are air pollutants and allergens. The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of air pollutants and allergens reactivity on the prevalence of allergic diseases of children in New Taipei City Area. Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted during 2010 to 2012 in New Taipei City Area by using ISAAC core written questionnaires and clinical examination. All 3040 children aged 1–7 years were included, we excluded 379 because of missing covariate information. The air pollution information was collected by air monitoring stations. The allergic reaction extent and allergens information of subjects were collected by skin prick test. We used logistic regression models to assess the effect of allergy reactions and air pollutants exposures on the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. Results: In our study, the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis were 12.6%, 30.0% and 14.4%, respectively. After adjusting related confounding factors, the result of logistic regression model showed that higher exposures to air pollutants had higher impact on asthma, the odd ratio (OR) of PM10, PM2.5, CO, and O3 were 1.39 ( 95% CI, 1.03-1.87 ), 1.45 ( 95% CI, 1.07-1.97 ), 1.36 ( 95% CI, 1.01-1.83 ), and 0.68 ( 95% CI, 0.51-0.92 ), respectively. Only PM2.5 affected the prevalence of allergic rhinitis, the OR was 1.54 ( 95% CI, 1.03-2.32 ). Our study observed no air pollutants had effects on the prevalence of atopic dermatitis. Stratified analysis founded that all allergens will modified the effect of O3 on asthma prevalence, and only dust mite allergen will modified the impact of PM on atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis prevalence. Conclusion: The prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis were 12.6%, 30.0%, and 14.4% during 2010 to 2012 in New Taipei City Area. Exposed to higher concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, CO and O3 have a higher impact on the prevalence of asthma. The dust mites and PM2.5 affecting the prevalence of allergic disease significantly. We recommend that children should reduce their exposure to PM2.5 and dust mites in the home environment.