Factores ambientales relacionados con la gravedad del asma

Abstract

This article review the role played by indoor and atmospheric air pollutants as factors determining asthma severity. Respiratory and health effects and sources of main indoor air pollutants are briefly reviewed. There is abundant evidence of asthmatic responses to indoor aeroallergens, such as exposure to house mite allergens. For pet allergens, some studies found that an early exposure in life was associated to sensitization and allergic disease, whereas others reported a protective effect. The effects of combustion indoor air pollutants have been less characterized. However, some studies suggest that they can be associated to exacerbations of asthma. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure has been associated to exacerbation of asthma in childhood. Moreover the prevalence of childhood asthma and adult hospital admissions for asthma has been related to ETS exposure. Exposure of atopic and asthmatic subjects to atmospheric air pollutants (O3 and NO2 ) increases airways response to aeroallergens. Therefore control of atmospheric pollutants might decrease any interaction with allergens in atopic and asthmatics