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Effect of Asian dust on respiratory symptoms among children with and without asthma, and their sensitivity
Hideki Hasunuma1, Ayano Takeuchi2, Rintaro Ono3
1Department of Public Health, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan; Center for Environmental Information Science, 3-2-7 Kudan-minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0074, Japan.
Insights
Asian dust exposure significantly worsened respiratory symptoms in children with asthma not on preventive medication. Long-term asthma medication may protect against Asian dust effects, suggesting a potential preventive strategy.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited research exists on Asian dust exposure's impact on children's respiratory health.
- Children are particularly vulnerable to environmental factors affecting respiratory well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Asian dust exposure and respiratory symptoms in children.
- To examine differential effects based on asthma status and medication use.
- To assess the role of individual sensitivity in respiratory aggravation.
Main Methods:
- A panel study involving 137 schoolchildren and 23 children with asthma.
- Data collection included peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) and daily symptom diaries.
- Asian dust exposure assessed using Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) data; analysis employed case-crossover design and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models.
Main Results:
- Children with asthma not on long-term preventive medication (CA) showed significant associations between Asian dust exposure and asthma-like symptoms (HR 5.17) and reduced %maxPEF.
- Children without asthma exhibited a significant association between Asian dust exposure and reduced %maxPEF.
- No adverse effects were observed in children with asthma on long-term preventive medication (CA-LTM).
Conclusions:
- Long-term preventive asthma medication may mitigate respiratory symptom aggravation from Asian dust exposure.
- Asian dust poses a risk for respiratory and nasal symptoms in children, particularly those with asthma not on preventive treatment.
- Findings suggest the potential efficacy of long-term preventive medication as a protective measure against environmental respiratory triggers.
Abstract:
There has been little study on the effect of Asian dust exposure on respiratory symptoms among children who are vulnerable to environmental factors. In this panel study, we investigated the effect of Asian dust on respiratory symptoms among children with and without asthma, and their sensitivity. Children attending two elementary schools (137 total), and 23 children with asthma from cooperating medical institutions in Fukuoka prefecture were recruited. Subjects measured peak expiratory flow rate (PEF), and recorded asthma-like symptoms, cough, nasal symptoms and use of medication in a diary from April 1, 2013 to June 30, 2013. To assess exposure to Asian dust, we used Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) data. For the analysis of the association between Asian dust and respiratory symptoms, the case-crossover design and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used. Taking individual sensitivity to respiratory aggravation into consideration, the subjects were classified into three groups: children without asthma, children with asthma who do not use long-term preventive medication (CA) and children with asthma who use long-term preventive medication (CA-LTM). For CA, Asian dust exposure was significantly associated with asthma-like symptoms, with a hazard ratio of 5.17 (95%CI: 1.02=26.12) at Lag0, and the change in %maxPEF, -1.65% (95%CI:-2.82, -0.48) at Lag0. For children without asthma, a statistically significant association was found between Asian dust exposure and the change in %maxPEF, -0.56% (95%CI: -1.31, -0.08) at Lag1. However, no adverse effects were observed in CA-LTM. Temperature had significant effects on %maxPEF for three groups. Asian dust, photochemical oxidant and pollen caused simultaneously additive adverse effects on nasal symptoms for children without asthma. This study suggests the possibility that long-term preventive medication to manage asthma may suppress aggravation of respiratory symptoms due to Asian dust and may be an effective prevention.
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