National Prevalence of Asthma and Chemical Hypersensitivity: An Examination of Potential Overlap

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the linkage between asthma and chemical hypersensitivity. Methods: The authors conducted a population study with a random sample of 1057 geographically weighted cases to determine the prevalence of both asthma and chemical hypersensitivity in...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational and environmental medicine 2005-05, Vol.47 (5), p.518-522
Main Authors: Caress, Stanley M., Steinemann, Anne C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asthma
Asthma - epidemiology
Biological and medical sciences
Chemicals
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma
Cohort Studies
Comorbidity
Environmental Illness - epidemiology
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Pneumology
Prevalence
Sex Distribution
United States - epidemiology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the linkage between asthma and chemical hypersensitivity. Methods: The authors conducted a population study with a random sample of 1057 geographically weighted cases to determine the prevalence of both asthma and chemical hypersensitivity in the American population and to explore their co-occurrence. Results: A total of 14.1% of the respondents reported being diagnosed with asthma and 11.2% reported a hypersensitivity to chemicals. Of those with asthma, 27.2% also reported being hypersensitive to chemicals and 7.4% reported also being diagnosed with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). Of those diagnosed with MCS, 42 % reported also being diagnosed with asthma. Additionally, 29.7% of those with asthma said air fresheners caused breathing difficulties, and 37.2% found scented products irritating. Conclusions: The results indicate that there is significant overlap between some forms of asthma and chemical hypersensitivity.
ISSN:1076-2752
1536-5948
DOI:10.1097/01.jom.0000161736.54099.44