Abstract
We studied home environment risk factors for asthma, allergy and eczema in a stratified random sample of adults in apartments in Stockholm (3H study), 7554 adults participated (73%). Cluster analysis was used to select 20 home factors. Associations were analysed by logistic regression analysis, including all 20 variables, gender, age, smoking, being foreign born, family income and years in current dwelling. Totally 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 homes with humid air (OR=1.74). Doctor's diagnosed allergy was more common in buildings with supply-exhaust ventilation, as compared to exhaust air only (OR=1.45), in recently redecorated homes (OR=1.48) and in homes with mould odour (OR=2.35). Pollen allergy was less common in buildings using more energy for heating (OR=0.75 for an IQR change) (IQR=28 kWh/m2 and year), and more common in homes with humid air (OR=1.76) and mould odour (OR=2.36). Eczema was more common in larger buildings (OR 1.07 for an IQR change) (IQR=35 families/building), less common in buildings consuming more energy for heating (OR=0.85 for an IQR change) and more common in homes with water leakage (OR=1.47), humid air (OR=1.73) and mould odour (OR=2.01). In conclusion, asthma, allergies or eczema among adults in Stockholm are more common in buildings with less energy use for space heating, in larger buildings and in apartments with recent redecoration, mould odour, water leakage and humid air. Dampness,mould, redecoration and increased energy efficiency in buildings may have consequences for asthma and allergy.
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