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Asthma, atopy, and lung function among racially diverse, poor inner-urban Minneapolis schoolchildren.

Greaves-IA; Sexton-K; Blumenthal-MN; Church-TR; Adgate-JL; Ramachandrana-G; Fredrickson-AL; Ryan-AD; Geisser-MS

Environ Res 2007 Feb; 103(2):257-266

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2006.09.002

20037387

As part of an assessment of schoolchildren's environmental exposures and health, a probability sample of 136 children from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds was drawn from grades 2-5 of two inner-urban Minneapolis schools (Whittier, Lyndale). Questionnaires were administered to a parent/guardian; blood samples for IgE and lung function tests were obtained. Overall adjusted rates for lifetime asthma (15.4%; 95%CI 9.3-21.5%), asthma in the last 12 months (13.6%; 7.8-19.4%), and current asthma medication use (10.5%; 5.3-15.7%) were higher than reported US national rates. Adjusted rates for lifetime physician-diagnosed asthma differed significantly among racial/ethnic groups (Po0.01): African-Americans (25.9%), White/Others (25.8%), Hispanics (9.3%), Somalis (1.8%), Asians (0%). Corresponding rates for atopy (total IgE4100 IU/mL or an allergen-specific IgE40.35 IU/mL) were: African-Americans (66.6%), White/Others (100%), Hispanics (77.2%), Somalis (78.1%), Asians (81.8%). Lung function (FEV1, FVC) was analyzed by linear regression using log-transformed data: significant race-specific differences in lung function were found relative to White/Others (Po0.001 for each racial/ethnic group): African-Americans (FEV1 -16.5%, FVC -16.9%), Somalis (-22.7%, -26.8%), Hispanics (-12.2%, -11.4%) and Asians (-11.1%, -12.4%). Females had significantly lower FEV1 (-8.8%) and FVC (-11.0%) than males. An unexplained, significant difference in children's lung function was found between the two schools. A history of physician-diagnosed asthma was not associated with decreased lung function. Factors other than poverty, inner-urban living, and IgE levels (atopy) need to be considered in the development of childhood asthma.

Allergic-reactions; Allergies; Humans; Immune-reaction; Lung-function; Pulmonary-disorders; Pulmonary-function; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Racial-factors; Respiratory-hypersensitivity; Respiratory-infections; Respiratory-irritants; Respiratory-system-disorders; Author Keywords: Minority children; Asthma; Atopy; Home and school environments; Lung function

Ian A. Greaves, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, MMC 807, 420 Delaware Street. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455

ENVRAL

20070201

Journal Article

igreaves@umn.edu

Grant

2007

Grant-Number-T42-OH-008434

2

0013-9351

Environmental Research

MN; TX

University of Minnesota Twin Cities