Asthma, allergy and eczema among adults in multifamily houses in Stockholm (3-HE study)--associations with building characteristics, home environment and energy use for heating

PLoS One. 2014 Dec 5;9(12):e112960. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112960. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Risk factors for asthma, allergy and eczema were studied in a stratified random sample of adults in Stockholm. In 2005, 472 multifamily buildings (10,506 dwellings) were invited (one subject/dwelling) and 7,554 participated (73%). Associations were analyzed by multiple logistic regression, adjusting for gender, age, smoking, country of birth, income and years in the dwelling. In total, 11% had doctor's diagnosed asthma, 22% doctor's diagnosed allergy, 23% pollen allergy and 23% eczema. Doctor's diagnosed asthma was more common in dwellings with humid air (OR = 1.74) and mould odour (OR = 1.79). Doctor's diagnosed allergy was more common in buildings with supply exhaust air ventilation as compared to exhaust air only (OR = 1.45) and was associated with redecoration (OR = 1.48) and mould odour (OR = 2.35). Pollen allergy was less common in buildings using more energy for heating (OR = 0.75) and was associated with humid air (OR = 1.76) and mould odour (OR = 2.36). Eczema was more common in larger buildings (OR 1.07) and less common in buildings using more energy for heating (OR = 0.85) and was associated with water damage (OR = 1.47), humid air (OR = 1.73) and mould odour (OR = 2.01). Doctor's diagnosed allergy was less common in buildings with management accessibility both in the neighbourhood and in larger administrative divisions, as compared to management in the neighbourhood only (OR = 0.49; 95% CI 0.29-0.82). Pollen allergy was less common if the building maintenance was outsourced (OR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.51-0.88). Eczema was more common when management accessibility was only at the division level (OR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.06-2.11). In conclusions, asthma, allergy or eczema were more common in buildings using less energy for heating, in larger buildings and in dwellings with redecorations, mould odour, dampness and humid air. There is a need to reduce indoor chemical emissions and to control dampness. Energy saving may have consequences for allergy and eczema. More epidemiological studies are needed on building management organization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Air Pollution, Indoor
  • Asthma / epidemiology*
  • Asthma / etiology
  • Eczema / epidemiology*
  • Eczema / etiology
  • Environment*
  • Female
  • Fungi / pathogenicity
  • Heating
  • Housing
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / epidemiology*
  • Hypersensitivity / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Sick Building Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Sweden
  • Ventilation

Grants and funding

The study was supported by grants from The Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association's Research Foundation (contract 22012041-K), The Swedish Research Council FORMAS (contracts 294-2008-80 and 244-2010-277), The Swedish Property Foundation (FORMAS contract 244-2008-80), The Property Federation in Stockholm (FORMAS contract 244-2008-80), The City of Stockholm (FORMAS contract 244-2008-80) and the Fortum corporation (FORMAS contract 244-2008-80). The contract 294-2008-80 with FORMAS included requested co-sponsorship by the organizations or companies mentioned above. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.