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Recent Advances in the Epidemiologic Investigation of Risk Factors for Asthma: A Review of the 2011 Literature

  • ASTHMA (WJ CALHOUN AND J BOUSQUET, SECTION EDITORS)
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Abstract

The present review aims to identify and summarize epidemiologic investigations published during 2011 on the environmental risk factors for asthma. Potentially eligible papers were identified by a MEDLINE search. In total, 1,130 items were retrieved. Based on a broad definition of environment, the following topics were included: obesity, diet, vitamin D, air pollution, farming environment, and social factors. Some of the more relevant contributions included evidence that 1) obesity precedes asthma, 2) fruit consumption is longitudinally associated with a lower risk of asthma and atopy, 3) a comprehensive statewide smoking ban was followed by a reduction in hospital admissions for asthma, 4) asthma is one of the diseases showing the largest burdens due to environmental tobacco smoke, 5) traffic-related urban air pollution is associated with bronchial inflammation as measured by fractional exhaled nitric oxide and uncontrolled asthma, 6) aeroallergens and desert dust may contribute to the short-term effects of air pollution and asthma, and 7) maternal exposure to air pollution before and during pregnancy may alter the immune competence in offspring.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Disclosure

Dr. Antó has received grant support from the European Commission (Ref.261357) and FIS-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Ref PS09/00716).

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  1. CREAL-Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain

    Josep M. Antó

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Antó, J.M. Recent Advances in the Epidemiologic Investigation of Risk Factors for Asthma: A Review of the 2011 Literature. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 12, 192–200 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-012-0254-7

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