Effects of Personal Exposure to Nitrogen Dioxide on Peak Expiratory Flow in Asthmatic Patients

이산화질소 개인 노출량이 기관지천식 환자의 최대호기유속에 미치는 영향

  • Kwon, Ho-Jang (Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Sang-Gyu (Department of Preventive Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine) ;
  • Jee, Young-Koo (Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Sang-Rok (Cheongju St Mary's Hospital) ;
  • Hwang, Seung-Sik (National Cancer Center)
  • 권호장 (단국대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 이상규 (단국대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 지영구 (단국대학교 의과대학 내과학교실) ;
  • 이상록 (청주 성모병원 내과) ;
  • 황승식 (국립암센터)
  • Published : 2007.01.31

Abstract

Objectives : Nitrogen dioxide $(NO_2)$ has been inconsistently associated with gradual decreases in lung function. Here, we studied the effects of $NO_2$ exposure in asthmatics by examining the association between changes in lung function and concentrations of $NO_2$ which were personally measured. Methods : Peak expiratory flow (PEF) and daily personal exposures to $NO_2$ were recorded on 28 patients with asthma (confirmed by methacholine provocation test) over 4 weeks. We used generalized estimating equations to assess the relationship between personal $NO_2$ exposure and PEF, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, gender, outdoor particulate matter, temperature, humidity, and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Results : The personal $NO_2$ exposures were higher than the corresponding ambient levels. The mean personal: ambient ratio for $NO_2$ was 1.48. The personal $NO_2$ exposures were not associated with the morning PEF, evening PEF, or the diurnal PEF variability. However, environmental tobacco smoke was negatively associated with both the morning and evening PEF. Conclusions : Among the asthmatic adults who participated in this study, we found no apparent impact of personal $NO_2$ exposures on the peak expiratory flow.

Keywords

References

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