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Dose-response relationships between mouse allergen exposure and asthma morbidity among urban children and adolescents

E N Torjusen1, G B Diette, P N Breysse

  • 1Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

Indoor Air
|October 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Mouse allergen exposure in homes significantly increases asthma-related healthcare use in sensitized children. Higher allergen levels, especially in beds, correlate with greater asthma morbidity and emergency visits.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Allergology
  • Pediatric Asthma

Background:

  • Home mouse allergen exposure is a known asthma trigger.
  • The specific dose-response relationship and impact of exposure location remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dose-response relationship between mouse allergen exposure and asthma morbidity in urban children.
  • To determine the influence of allergen exposure location on asthma outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 150 urban children with asthma over 1 year.
  • Collected asthma outcome and mouse allergen exposure data (bed, kitchen, bedroom air).
  • Analyzed relationships between continuous allergen levels and healthcare utilization, stratified by mouse sensitization.

Main Results:

  • A tenfold increase in bed mouse allergen levels correlated with an 87% increase in asthma-related healthcare use among sensitized children.
  • Similar associations found for emergency and unscheduled visits in sensitized individuals.
  • Bed and bedroom air allergen concentrations showed a greater impact on asthma morbidity compared to other locations.

Conclusions:

  • A linear dose-response relationship exists between mouse allergen levels and asthma morbidity in sensitized children.
  • Exposure to mouse allergens in beds and bedroom air significantly contributes to asthma exacerbations and healthcare utilization.
Keywords:
Asthma morbidityChildhood asthmaExposure compartmentsIndoor allergensInner-city asthmaMouse allergen

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