Prevalence and incidence of respiratory symptoms in relation to indoor dampness: the RHINE study

• Published in: Thorax 2006-03, Vol.61 (3), p.221-225
• Main Authors: Gunnbjörnsdóttir, M I, Franklin, K A, Norbäck, D, Björnsson, E, Gislason, D, Lindberg, E, Svanes, C, Omenaas, E, Norrman, E, Jõgi, R, Jensen, E J, Dahlman-Höglund, A, Janson, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Asthma; Asthma - epidemiology; asthmatic symptoms; Biological and medical sciences; building dampness; childhood asthma; children; dampness; dwellings; Environmental Exposure; epidemiology; Europe - epidemiology; exposure; Female; Floor coverings; health-survey; home dampness; Housing - standards; Housing - statistics & numerical data; Housing/standards/statistics & numerical data; Humans; Incidence; Longitudinal Studies; Lungmedicin och allergi; Male; Medical sciences; Mold; molds; Odds Ratio; Pneumology; Prevalence; Professionals; Questionnaires; Regression analysis; Remission (Medicine); Respiration Disorders - epidemiology; Respiratory Medicine and Allergy; respiratory symptoms; Response rates; Risk Factors; sensitization; Statistical analysis; Water damage
• ISSN: 0040-6376; 1468-3296
• DOI: 10.1136/thx.2005.057430

Background: An association between indoor dampness and respiratory symptoms has been reported, but dampness as a risk factor for the onset or remission of respiratory symptoms and asthma is not well documented. Method: This follow up study included 16 190 subjects from Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Estonia who had participated in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS I). Eight years later the same subjects answered a postal questionnaire that included questions on respiratory symptoms and indicators of indoor dampness. Results: Subjects living in damp housing (18%) had a significantly (p