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Air Pollution/Irritants, Asthma Control, and Health-Related Quality of Life among 9/11-Exposed Individuals with Asthma

Author

Listed:
  • Janette Yung

    (New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, New York, NY 10013, USA)

  • Sukhminder Osahan

    (New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, New York, NY 10013, USA)

  • Stephen M. Friedman

    (New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, New York, NY 10013, USA)

  • Jiehui Li

    (New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, New York, NY 10013, USA)

  • James E. Cone

    (New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, New York, NY 10013, USA)

Abstract

Asthma control is suboptimal among World Trade Center Health Registry (WTCHR) enrollees. Air pollution/irritants have been reported as the most prevalent trigger among World Trade Center responders. We examined the relationship between air pollution/irritants and asthma control. We also evaluated the association of asthma control with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We included 6202 enrollees age ≥18 with a history of asthma who completed the WTCHR asthma survey between 2015 and 2016. Based on modified National Asthma Education and Prevention Program criteria, asthma was categorized as controlled, poorly-controlled, or very poorly-controlled. HRQoL indicators include ≥14 unhealthy days, ≥14 activity limitation days, and self-rated general health. We used multinomial logistic regression for asthma control, and unconditional logistic regression for HRQoL, adjusting for covariates. Overall, 27.1% had poorly-controlled and 32.2% had very poorly-controlled asthma. Air pollution/irritants were associated with poorly-controlled (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.45–1.99) and very poorly-controlled asthma (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.83–2.53). Poor asthma control in turn worsened the HRQoL of asthmatic patients. Very poorly-controlled asthma was significantly associated with ≥14 unhealthy days (AOR = 3.60; 95% CI = 3.02–4.30), ≥14 activity limitation days (AOR = 4.37; 95% CI = 3.48–5.50), and poor/fair general health status (AOR = 4.92; 95% CI = 4.11–5.89). Minimizing World Trade Center (WTC) asthmatic patients’ exposure to air pollution/irritants may improve their disease management and overall well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Janette Yung & Sukhminder Osahan & Stephen M. Friedman & Jiehui Li & James E. Cone, 2019. "Air Pollution/Irritants, Asthma Control, and Health-Related Quality of Life among 9/11-Exposed Individuals with Asthma," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:11:p:1924-:d:235869
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    Cited by:

    1. Robert M. Brackbill & Judith M. Graber & William A. (Allen) Robison, 2019. "Editorial for “Long-Term Health Effects of the 9/11 Disaster” in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , 2019," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-6, September.

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