Responses of schoolchildren with asthma to recommendations to reduce desert dust exposure: Results from the LIFE-MEDEA intervention project using wearable technology

Kouis, Panayiotis; Michanikou, Antonis; Galanakis, Emmanouil; Michaelidou, Eleni; Dimitriou, Helen; Perez, Julietta; Kinni, Paraskevi; Achilleos, Souzana; Revvas, Efstathios; Stamatelatos, Gerasimos; Zacharatos, Harris; Savvides, Chrysanthos; Vasiliadou, Emily; Kalivitis, Nikos; Chrysanthou, Andreas; Tymvios, Filippos; Papatheodorou, Stefania; Koutrakis, Petros; Yiallouros, Panayiotis Κ.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160518

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…[144][145][146] In Greece, adverse (health) consequences of desert dust storms are recently receiving increased academic attention. 144,147 A limited number of Ugandan studies considered AAP. However, a recent study conducted in Kampala revealed increased AP exposure levels, which exhibited an independent association with atherosclerotic disease in HIV-positive adolescents.…”

Section: Comparison Of Global Burden Of Disease Study Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The FRESHAIR4Life study: Global implementation research on non-communicable disease prevention targeting adolescents’ exposure to tobacco and air pollution in disadvantaged populations

Hoffman,

Versluis,

Chirila

et al. 2023

Preprint

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In the FRESHAIR4Life study, we aim to reduce the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden by implementing preventive interventions targeting adolescents’ exposure to tobacco use and air pollution (AP). This paper presents the methodology of FRESHAIR4Life and initial rapid review results. The rapid review showed variable NCD mortality rates related to tobacco use and AP exposure in the five participating countries. Tobacco is the predominant risk factor for NCD-related deaths in the Kyrgyz Republic, Greece, and Romania, whereas AP exposure causes most NCD-related deaths in Pakistan and Uganda. Adolescents’ risk factor exposure, sources of exposure, and trends also differ significantly. As the next step in FRESHAIR4Life, an in-depth situational analysis will inform the selection, adaptation, and integration of evidence-based interventions into the FRESHAIR4Life prevention package. Subsequently, this package will be implemented, evaluated, and iteratively refined. Throughout the research process, a strong emphasis is on co-creation, capacity building, and comprehensive communication and dissemination.

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Section: Comparison Of Global Burden Of Disease Study Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The FRESHAIR4Life study: Global implementation research on non-communicable disease prevention targeting adolescents’ exposure to tobacco and air pollution in disadvantaged populations

Hoffman,

Versluis,

Chirila

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…Longitudinal studies incorporating detailed environmental data alongside individual health records could offer insights into the mechanisms through which specific wind patterns might affect respiratory health. Therefore, the study underscores the need for further prospective research integrating broader environmental data and individual health profiles to elucidate causal mechanisms better and comprehensively address potential confounders [ 66 , 67 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Relationship between Wind Patterns and Hospital Admissions Due to Respiratory Symptoms in Children

Boura,

Spanakis,

Markakis

et al. 2024

Children

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Respiratory disorders significantly impact adolescents’ health, often resulting in hospital admissions. Meteorological elements such as wind patterns have emerged as potential contributors to respiratory symptoms. However, it remains uncertain whether fluctuations in wind characteristics over extended periods have a tangible impact on respiratory health, particularly in regions characterized by distinct annual wind patterns. Crete is situated in the central-eastern Mediterranean Sea and frequently faces southerly winds carrying Sahara Desert sand from Africa and northerly winds from the Aegean Sea. This retrospective study analyzes long-term wind direction data and their relationship to respiratory symptoms observed in children up to 14 years old admitted at the University Hospital of Heraklion between 2002 and 2010. Symptoms such as headache, dyspnea, dry cough, dizziness, tachypnea, throat ache, and earache were predominantly reported during the presence of southern winds. Fever, productive cough, and chest pain were more frequently reported during northern winds. Cough was the most common symptom regardless of the wind pattern. Southern winds were significantly associated with higher probabilities of productive or non-productive cough, headache, dyspnea, tachypnea, dizziness, earache, and throat ache. Northern winds were related to a higher incidence of productive cough. Rhinitis, asthma, allergies, pharyngitis, and sinusitis were related to southern winds, while bronchiolitis and pneumonia were associated with northern winds. These findings underscore the critical role of local climatic factors, emphasizing their potential impact on exacerbating respiratory conditions in children. Moreover, they point out the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted interventions for at-risk populations.

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“…[62][63][64] Other strategies could focus on air quality by improving school infrastructures aiming to maintain better indoor air quality in areas affected by anthropogenic or nonanthropogenic emissions, or during high ambient pollution, and encourage indoor activities for vulnerable children. [65][66][67] Design of more efficient buildings with better window and door sealing, or installation of air purifiers in classrooms and houses are such potential measures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Overall, public acceptability and attitudes toward each intervention should be carefully considered during the development of public health policy, especially in the case of mask‐wearing and social distancing, as these involve tradeoffs between preserving children's physical health versus mental health, education, social connections, and social development 62–64 . Other strategies could focus on air quality by improving school infrastructures aiming to maintain better indoor air quality in areas affected by anthropogenic or nonanthropogenic emissions, or during high ambient pollution, and encourage indoor activities for vulnerable children 65–67 . Design of more efficient buildings with better window and door sealing, or installation of air purifiers in classrooms and houses are such potential measures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of COVID‐19 lockdown measures on symptoms control in children with asthma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational cohort studies

Kouis,

Lemonaris,

Xenophontos

et al. 2023

Pediatric Pulmonology

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ObjectivesReported reductions in emergency department visits and hospitalizations for asthma in previous studies have suggested a beneficial effect of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19) lockdown measures on asthma morbidity. Nevertheless, studies relying on administrative data may overestimate the true impact of lockdowns due to changes in health‐seeking behavior and reduced availability of pediatric asthma services during the pandemic. In this study, we systematically reviewed the literature and identified observational cohort studies that focused on nonadministrative data to assess the true impact of COVID‐19 lockdowns on symptom control in children with asthma.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted between January 2020 and August 2022 (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews ID: CRD42022354369). The impact of COVID‐19 lockdowns across studies was expressed as a standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes and as a summary relative risk (RR) for binary outcomes.ResultsDuring the lockdown periods, the pooled asthma symptoms control test score (SMD: 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75, 3.24, I2: 98.4%) and the proportion of children with well‐controlled asthma (RR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.71, I2: 77.6%) were significantly increased. On the other hand, the pooled proportion of children with poorly controlled asthma (RR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.57, I2: 0.0%) was significantly decreased.ConclusionsDuring COVID‐19 lockdowns, asthma symptoms and breakthrough disease exacerbations were significantly reduced in children with asthma. Further research is warranted on potential interventions aiming to enhance asthma control after the pandemic while taking into consideration their acceptability and potential tradeoffs.

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Responses of schoolchildren with asthma to recommendations to reduce desert dust exposure: Results from the LIFE-MEDEA intervention project using wearable technology

Cited by 6 publications

References 52 publications

The FRESHAIR4Life study: Global implementation research on non-communicable disease prevention targeting adolescents’ exposure to tobacco and air pollution in disadvantaged populations

The FRESHAIR4Life study: Global implementation research on non-communicable disease prevention targeting adolescents’ exposure to tobacco and air pollution in disadvantaged populations

Exploring the Relationship between Wind Patterns and Hospital Admissions Due to Respiratory Symptoms in Children

The impact of COVID‐19 lockdown measures on symptoms control in children with asthma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational cohort studies

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