Exposure–response analysis of allergy and respiratory symptoms in endotoxin-exposed adults
LAM Smit, D Heederik, G Doekes… - European …, 2008 - Eur Respiratory Soc
LAM Smit, D Heederik, G Doekes, C Blom, I van Zweden, IM Wouters
European Respiratory Journal, 2008•Eur Respiratory SocThe objective of the present study was to investigate exposure–response relationships
between current endotoxin exposure and allergic and respiratory symptoms in adults, taking
into account farming exposures during childhood. A cross-sectional study was conducted
among 877 Dutch farmers and agricultural industry workers in 2006. Based on 249 full-shift
personal airborne endotoxin samples, a job-exposure matrix was constructed to assign
endotoxin exposure levels to all participants. Associations between endotoxin exposure and …
between current endotoxin exposure and allergic and respiratory symptoms in adults, taking
into account farming exposures during childhood. A cross-sectional study was conducted
among 877 Dutch farmers and agricultural industry workers in 2006. Based on 249 full-shift
personal airborne endotoxin samples, a job-exposure matrix was constructed to assign
endotoxin exposure levels to all participants. Associations between endotoxin exposure and …
The objective of the present study was to investigate exposure–response relationships between current endotoxin exposure and allergic and respiratory symptoms in adults, taking into account farming exposures during childhood.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 877 Dutch farmers and agricultural industry workers in 2006. Based on 249 full-shift personal airborne endotoxin samples, a job-exposure matrix was constructed to assign endotoxin exposure levels to all participants. Associations between endotoxin exposure and questionnaire data on symptoms were studied by multiple logistic regression.
Adjusted odds ratios (OR) for an interquartile range increase in endotoxin level were elevated for respiratory symptoms such as wheezing (OR 1.41 (95% confidence interval 1.16–1.72)), wheezing with shortness of breath (1.50 (1.18–1.90)) and daily cough (1.29 (1.03–1.62)). In contrast, endotoxin was strongly associated with a decreased prevalence of hay fever (0.62 (0.49–0.78)). Workers who had grown up on a farm had a lower prevalence of hay fever, but no evidence was found of effect modification by farm childhood.
In conclusion, occupational endotoxin exposure in adulthood is associated with an increased risk of asthma-like symptoms but a reduced prevalence of hay fever.
European Respiratory Society