Prevalence of asthma symptoms in schoolchildren, and climate in west European countries: an ecologic study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to estimate the associations between the prevalence of asthma symptoms in schoolchildren and meteorological variables in west European countries that participated in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC), Phase III 1997-2003. An ecologic study was carried out. The prevalence of asthma was obtained from this study from 48 centers in 14 countries, and meteorological variables from those stations closest to ISAAC centers, together with other socioeconomic and health care variables. Multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models were used. For schoolchildren aged 6-7 years, the prevalence rate of asthma decreased with an increase in mean annual sunshine hours, showed a positive association with rainy weather, and warm temperature, and a negative one with relative humidity and physician density (PD). Current wheeze prevalence was stronger in autumn/winter seasons and decreased with increasing PD. Severe current wheeze decreased with PD. For schoolchildren aged 13-14 years, the prevalence rates of asthma and current wheeze increased with rainy weather, and these rates decreased with increased PD. Current wheeze, as measured by a video questionnaire, was inversely associated with sunny weather, and nurse density. Severe current wheeze prevalence was stronger during autumn/winter seasons, decreased with PD, and indoor chlorinated public swimming pool density, and increased with rainy weather. Meteorological factors, including sunny and rainy weather, and PD may have some effect on the prevalence rates of asthma symptoms in children from west European countries.

Annual hospitalization rates for children with asthma are inversely associated with total hours of sunshine in English regions

“…In 2010–2011, the age–gender‐corrected admission rate for asthma was 233 admissions per 100 000 children in England. It is unlikely that the observed effect is the result of variation in asthma prevalence alone as it is relatively large and bigger than that previously reported (around 1% for every 100 additional HOS) .…”

“…Acute asthma admissions are also subject to considerable seasonal variation with numbers peaking in the United Kingdom between September and December . Long‐term weather patterns have been shown to have a small effect on prevalence of childhood asthma , but the effects of longer‐term weather patterns on hospital use or asthma control have not been studied.…”

Emergency Department Visits for Asthma Exacerbation due to Weather Conditions and Air Pollution in Chuncheon, Korea: A Case-Crossover Analysis

“…In contrast, low humidity was related to worsening asthma and asthma-related hospital admissions in other studies 1816. The prevalence of asthma showed a negative association with relative humidity in western European countries 17. Regarding the effects of wind on asthma, a few studies have reported inconsistent results.…”

Prevalence and risk factors for wheezing in infants in the region of Pamplona, Spain

“…Prevalence of wheezing ever in infants varies across different regions, from 29% in countries in Northern Europe, to 48% in countries in Southern Europe, and 27% in the United States of America (USA) (4). Previous studies have found associations between rainy weather and severe current wheeze in schoolchildren (5), and stronger associations of some risk and protective factors of recurrent wheezing when latitude increases (6).…”