Abstract
BackgroundThe respiratory tract of children in low-income families is more likely to be exposed to toxins, which may lead to poor lung function. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the impact of low household income on lung function among children and adolescents in Japan.MethodsWe analyzed a population-based sample of 1,224 children aged 5 to 17 years old from the Japanese Study on Stratification, Health, Income, and Neighborhood (J-SHINE). Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and in 6 s (FEV6) was measured. Annual household income and other potential covariates were assessed through a questionnaire. Low household income was defined as less than 3 million yen (approximately 27,000 United States dollars [USD]) per year. Multivariate regression analysis was used to adjust for potential covariates.ResultsWe observed statistically significantly lower FEV1:FEV6 ratio with children in lowest-income families compared with those in highest-income families, after adjusting for child’s age and sex (coefficient = −0.082; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.131 to −0.034). After adjusting for other covariates, including parental smoking status and parental diagnosis of asthma, a similar trend remained (coefficient = −0.054; 95% CI, −0.109 to 0.001).ConclusionsChildren in low-income families showed significantly lower lung function than those in high-income families. Prevention and early intervention are necessary to help the development of lung function among children living in low-income families.
Highlights
Childhood asthma remains one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide
The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood found that approximately 14% of children worldwide were likely to have had asthmatic symptoms in 2009.1 The prevalence appears to be increasing in both developing and developed countries[1]; for example, 10.5% to 18.2% of children were affected in Japan in 2011.2 Socioeconomic disadvantage is an important determinant of childhood asthma[3,4] and has been reported to be associated with asthma among children in developed countries.[4]
HOMEPAGE http://jeaweb.jp/english/journal/index.html investigated the association between low income and childhood asthma or lung function in Japan. In this large population-based study, we examined the association between low household income and childhood lung function in Japan
Summary
The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood found that approximately 14% of children worldwide were likely to have had asthmatic symptoms in 2009.1 The prevalence appears to be increasing in both developing and developed countries[1]; for example, 10.5% to 18.2% of children were affected in Japan in 2011.2 Socioeconomic disadvantage is an important determinant of childhood asthma[3,4] and has been reported to be associated with asthma among children in developed countries.[4] Other longitudinal studies showed that socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with later asthma and low lung function in children.[5,6].
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