Atopic and non-atopic asthma in a farming and a general population

Background In a previous study inverse associations between asthma and exposure to fungal spores and endotoxins in atopic farmers and positive associations with the same factors in non‐atopic farmers were documented. No external reference population had been included. We, therefore, compared this fa...

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Published in:American journal of industrial medicine 2004-10, Vol.46 (4), p.396-399
Main Authors: Eduard, Wijnand, Omenaas, Ernst, Bakke, Per Sigvald, Douwes, Jeroen, Heederik, Dick
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Agricultural Workers' Diseases - epidemiology
Agricultural Workers' Diseases - etiology
Agricultural Workers' Diseases - immunology
asthma
Asthma - epidemiology
Asthma - etiology
Asthma - immunology
atopy
Biological and medical sciences
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma
Dermatitis, Atopic - epidemiology
Dermatitis, Atopic - etiology
Dermatitis, Atopic - immunology
endotoxins
Endotoxins - immunology
Environmental Exposure - adverse effects
farmers
Female
fungal spores
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Norway - epidemiology
Occupational Exposure - adverse effects
Pneumology
Prevalence
Rural Population
Spores, Fungal - immunology
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Background In a previous study inverse associations between asthma and exposure to fungal spores and endotoxins in atopic farmers and positive associations with the same factors in non‐atopic farmers were documented. No external reference population had been included. We, therefore, compared this farming population with the general population from an adjacent region. Methods Random samples of a farming (n = 2,106) and a rural (n = 351) and urban (n = 727) general population were selected. Atopy was assessed by serum IgE and asthma by questionnaires. Results The asthma prevalence was 4.0% among farmers, 5.7% in the rural, and 7.6% in the urban population. Atopy was similar (9–10%). Most asthmatics were not atopic, 67–75%. Farmers had asthma less often than the general population OR 0.52 (95% CI 0.36–0.75); both atopic (OR 0.33 (95% CI 0.15–0.69)) and non‐atopic asthma (OR 0.60 (95% CI 0.39–0.93)). Conclusion This may indicate a protective effect of the farm environment on asthma but a healthy worker effect may also play a role. Am. J. Ind. Med. 46:396–399, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:0271-3586
1097-0274
DOI:10.1002/ajim.20088