Assessment of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in relation to mold and dampness in South India: Preliminary results from the SICAPHE study

Abstract

Background: Few efforts have been undertaken to objectively assess respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in relation to mold and dampness assessments especially in studies from developing countries. We report preliminary results from respiratory assessments in the newly established South Indian Cohort for Air Pollution and Health Effects (SICAPHE) study aimed at generating exposure-response relationships for air pollution, select birth/early childhood outcomes and adult respiratory outcomes. Aim: Assessment of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in relation to mold and dampness assessments a rural –urban adult mother cohort in south India. Methodology: We administered a standardised validated questionnaire based on the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease’s 1984 questionnaire to assess prevalence of respiratory symptoms and performed pulmonary function assessments following protocols developed by the American Thoracic Society for a sub-set adult subjects enrolled in the SICAPHE study (n=444 out of total cohort enrollment of 1200). We performed dampness assessments using questionnaires developed by WHO and characterized 4 types of mold species including Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria. Results: Initial analyses indicate a prevalence of 28.8 % for mold and 31.6% for dampness. 13.3% of the subjects reported symptoms of wheeze, allergic cough and allergic rhinitis. Pulmonary function decline was significantly associated with higher concentrations of PM 2.5 and presence of mold or dampness. Rural households had a higher prevalence of mold, dampness and higher concentrations of PM 2.5. Rural subjects reported a greater prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lower pulmonary function as compared to urban subjects. Conclusion: The on-going analyses is expected to generate exposure –response relationships for respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in relation to dampness, mold and air pollution exposure for the SICAPHE study.