Effect of Moving to a Newly Built or Renovated House on Atopic Dermatitis in Korean children: The ISAAC Phase III Study in Korea

Abstract

Introduction:The prevalence of non-infectious diseases, especially allergic diseases, have been increased. In accordance with the development of economy, the number of people living in newly built houses increased. In previous studies, the positive association between moving to a new house and rhinitis and allergic rhinitis was reported. The aim of this study is to find out the association between moving to a newly built or renovated house during the first year of birth and atopic dermatitis(AD) in Korean children. Methods:Based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Study (ISAAC) in Korea (2010-2011), we analysed 4,003 1st grade elementary school students who had available data on ISAAC questionnaires, skin prick test result and doctor's inspection reports. AD was defined in a students who had self-reported symptoms within the last 12 months, positive findings in doctor's inspection, and positive skin prick test results. The association was analyzed by using Multiple logistic regression. We used sex, age, parents' academic ability and family history as covariates in our model. Statistical analyses were performed using R ver 3.1.3. Results:Among 4,003 participants, 129 (6.6%) children turned out to be positive for AD.67 (7.0%) children were boys and 62 (6.2%) children were girls. At the time of research, the prevalence of AD of children who had lived in newly built or renovated house within the first year of their birth was 29.7%,and that of children who did not was 16%. In multiple logistic regression model, we found a significant association between them after adjusting for covariates (the crude odds ratio (OR) =2.22, 95%CI:1.49 – 3.32, adjusted OR = 2.07, 95%CI: 1.34 – 3.21). Conclusion:We found a significant association between living in a newly built or renovated house and AD. Further longitudinal epidemiologic study will be needed to get more strong scientific evidence of this association.