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Association between ambient air pollution and development and persistence of atopic and non-atopic eczema in a cohort of adults
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  • Diego Lopez Peralta,
  • caroline lodge,
  • Dinh Bui,
  • Nilakshi Waidyatillake,
  • John Su,
  • Jennifer Perret,
  • Luke Knibbs,
  • Bircan Erbas,
  • Paul Thomas,
  • Garun Hamilton,
  • Bruce Thompson,
  • Michael Abramson,
  • Haydn Walters,
  • Shyamali Dharmage,
  • Gayan Bowatte,
  • Adrian Lowe
Diego Lopez Peralta
The University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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caroline lodge
The University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
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Dinh Bui
The University of Melbourne
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Nilakshi Waidyatillake
The University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
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John Su
Monash University
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Jennifer Perret
The University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
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Luke Knibbs
The University of Queensland School of Public Health
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Bircan Erbas
La Trobe University
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Paul Thomas
University of New South Wales
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Garun Hamilton
Monash University
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Bruce Thompson
Swinburne University of Technology
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Michael Abramson
Monash University
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Haydn Walters
The University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
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Shyamali Dharmage
The University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
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Gayan Bowatte
The University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
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Adrian Lowe
The University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
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Abstract

Background: There is limited information on risk factors for eczema in adults. Recent evidence suggests that air pollution may be associated with increased incidence of eczema in adults. We aimed to assess this possible association. Methods: Ambient air pollution exposures (distance from a major road, nitrogen dioxide [NO2], fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm [PM2.5]) were assessed for the residential address of Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study participants at ages 43 and 53 years. Eczema incidence (onset after age 43 years), prevalence (at 53 years) and persistence were assessed from surveys, while sensitisation was assessed using skin prick tests. The presence or absence of eczema and sensitisation was classified into four groups: no atopy or eczema, atopy alone, non-atopic eczema, and atopic eczema. Adjusted logistic and multinomial regression models were fitted to estimate associations between ambient air pollution and eczema, and interaction by sex was assessed. Results: Of 3153 participants in both follow ups, 2369 had valid skin prick tests. For males, a 2.3 ppb increase in baseline NO2 was associated with increased risk of prevalent eczema (OR=1.15 [95%CI 0.98-1.36]), both non-atopic (OR=1.39 [1.02-1.90]) and atopic eczema (OR=1.26 [1.00-1.59]). These associations were not seen in females (P for interaction=0.08, <0.01). For both sexes, a 1.6 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure at follow-up was associated with increased odds of aeroallergen sensitisation (OR=1.15 [1.03-1.30]). Conclusion: Increased exposure to residential ambient air pollutants was associated with an increased risk of eczema, only in males, and aeroallergen sensitisation in both genders.
17 Jul 2020Submitted to Allergy
20 Jul 2020Submission Checks Completed
20 Jul 2020Assigned to Editor
23 Jul 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 Aug 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Aug 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
27 Nov 20201st Revision Received
27 Nov 2020Assigned to Editor
27 Nov 2020Submission Checks Completed
29 Nov 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
03 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Dec 20202nd Revision Received
08 Dec 2020Submission Checks Completed
08 Dec 2020Assigned to Editor
10 Dec 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
04 Jan 2021Editorial Decision: Accept