The association of respiratory symptoms and lung function with the use of gas for cooking. European Community Respiratory Health Survey

Abstract

The association of respiratory symptoms and lung function with the use of gas for cooking was examined using data collected as part of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey, an international multicentre study. Associations between gas cooking and respiratory symptoms and respiratory function were assessed by logistic and multiple regression models. Tests for interaction were used to examine whether the effect of gas cooking varied between centres and, as there was evidence for this, the average effects were estimated using standard methods for random effects meta-analysis. Data from 5,561 males and 6,029 females living in 23 centres in 11 countries were analysed. There was no significant association found between respiratory symptoms and gas cooking in males. In females the association between some respiratory symptoms and gas cooking varied between centres with an overall positive association with "wheeze in the last 12 months" (odds ratio (OR) 1.24: 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.00-1.54) and "wheeze with breathlessness in the last 12 months" (OR 1.33: 95% CI 1.06-1.69). There was no evidence that atopy modified this association. Cooking with gas was associated with airways obstruction in both males and females although the differences failed to reach statistical significance. In some countries the use of gas for cooking is associated with respiratory symptoms suggestive of airways obstruction in females.