Dataset Information

Obesity may enhance the adverse effects of NO₂ exposure in urban schools on asthma symptoms in children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sparse data address the effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) exposure in inner-city schools on obese students with asthma.

Objective

We sought to evaluate relationships between classroom NO₂ exposure and asthma symptoms and morbidity by body mass index (BMI) category.

Methods

The School Inner-City Asthma Study enrolled students aged 4 to 13 years with asthma from 37 inner-city schools. Students had baseline determination of BMI percentile. Asthma symptoms, morbidity, pulmonary inflammation, and lung function were monitored throughout the subsequent academic year. Classroom NO₂ data, linked to enrolled students, were collected twice per year. We determined the relationship between classroom NO₂ levels and asthma outcomes by BMI stratification.

Results

A total of 271 predominantly black (35%) or Hispanic students (35%) were included in analyses. Fifty percent were normal weight (5-84th BMI percentile), 15% overweight (≥85-94th BMI percentile), and 35% obese (≥95th BMI percentile). For each 10-parts per billion increase in NO₂, obese students had a significant increase in the odds of having an asthma symptom day (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% CI, 1.15-3.02) and in days caregiver changed plans (OR, 4.24; 95% CI, 2.33-7.70), which was significantly different than normal weight students who exhibited no relationship between NO₂ exposure and symptom days (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.57-1.42; pairwise interaction P = .03) and change in caregiver plans (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.67-2.82; pairwise interaction P = .02). Relationships between NO₂ levels and lung function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide did not differ by BMI category. If we applied a conservative Holm-Bonferroni correction for 16 comparisons (obese vs normal weight and overweight vs normal weight for 8 outcomes), these findings would not meet statistical significance (all P > .003).

Conclusions

Obese BMI status appears to increase susceptibility to classroom NO₂ exposure effects on asthma symptoms in inner-city children. Environmental interventions targeting indoor school NO₂ levels may improve asthma health for obese children. Although our findings would not remain statistically significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons, the large effect sizes warrant future study of the interaction of obesity and pollution in pediatric asthma.

SUBMITTER: Permaul P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7501199 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is associated with poor asthma outcomes in children. However, little is known about natural changes in ETS exposure over time in children with asthma and how these changes may affect health-care utilization. This article documents the relationship between changes in ETS exposure and childhood asthma morbidity among children enrolled in a clinical trial of supervised asthma therapy.Data for this analysis come from a large randomized clinical trial of supervised asthma therapy in which 290 children with persistent asthma were randomized to receive either usual care or supervised asthma therapy. No smoking cessation counseling or ETS exposure education was provided to caregivers; however, children were given 20 min of asthma education, which incorporated discussion of the avoidance of asthma triggers, including ETS. Asthma morbidity and ETS exposure data were collected from caregivers via telephone interviews at baseline and at the 1-year follow-up.At baseline, 28% of caregivers reported ETS exposure in the home and 19% reported exposure outside of the primary household only. Among children whose ETS exposure decreased from baseline, fewer hospitalizations (p = 0.034) and emergency department (ED) visits (p < or = 0.001) were reported in the 12 months prior to the second interview compared to the 12 months prior to the first interview. Additionally, these children were 48% less likely (p = 0.042) to experience an episode of poor asthma control (EPAC).This is the first study to demonstrate an association between ETS exposure reduction and fewer EPACs, respiratory-related ED visits, and hospitalizations. These findings emphasize the importance of ETS exposure reduction as a mechanism to improve asthma control and morbidity. Potential policy implications include supporting ETS reductions and smoking cessation interventions for parents and caregivers of children with asthma. Research to identify the most cost-effective strategy is warranted.

Dataset Information

Obesity may enhance the adverse effects of NO₂ exposure in urban schools on asthma symptoms in children.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets

Dataset Information

Obesity may enhance the adverse effects of NO2 exposure in urban schools on asthma symptoms in children.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets

Obesity may enhance the adverse effects of NO₂ exposure in urban schools on asthma symptoms in children.