Risk factors for asthma and allergic diseases in school children across Lebanon

Mirna Waked1, Pascale Salameh21Balamand University, Beirut, Lebanon; 2Lebanese University, Faculty of Public Health, Section II, Fanar, LebanonIntroduction: Childhood asthma is one of important diseases of childhood. There is no known prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in Lebanon. This study was conducted with a secondary objective of finding the odds of exposure to asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema potential risk factors in Lebanese children.Material and methods: It is a cross-sectional study on children in public and private schools. A sample of 22 schools participated, where standardized written core questionnaires were distributed. 5–12 year old students completed the questionnaires at home, while 13–14 year old students filled it in class.Results: 5522 children were evaluated for asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema prevalence and their associated factors. These diseases seem to be similarly affected by parental respiratory problems, parental smoking, infancy gastroesophageal reflux, recurrent otitis, and previous pertussis. Humidity on the bedroom walls is associated with both asthma and allergic rhinitis, a spongy pillow with both allergic rhinitis and eczema, animal possession with asthma, and noncotton mattress with atopic eczema. The adjusted odds ratios for significant associations varied between 1.25 and 3 (0.0001 < p-value < 0.01).Conclusion: These factors are preventable, thus permitting a possible reduction of the prevalence of these diseases.Keywords: asthma, eczema, rhinitis, allergic disease, risk factor

Value of venous color flow duplex scan as initial screening test for geriatric inpatients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism

Raghid Kreidy1, Elias Stephan2, Pascale Salameh3, Mirna Waked4 1Department of Vascular Surgery, Saint George Hospital, University Medical Center, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon; 2Department of Geriatrics, Saint George Hospital, University Medical Center, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon; 3Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, 4Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Saint George Hospital, University Medical Center, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon Aim: The contribution of lower extremity venous duplex scan to the diagnostic strategy for pulmonary embolism has been demonstrated by many authors. However, the positive diagnostic value of this noninvasive test in clinically suspected pulmonary embolism is not very high (10%–18%). Since thromboembolic risks increase considerably in hospitalized patients with advanced age, this study aims to determine the importance of lower extremity venous color flow duplex scan in this particular subgroup of patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism. The effects of clinical presentation and risk factors on the results of duplex scan have been also studied. Methods: Between July 2007 and January 2010, 95 consecutive Lebanese geriatric ($60 years of age) inpatients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism assessed in an academic tertiary-care center for complete lower extremity venous color flow duplex scan were retrospectively reviewed. Age varied between 60 and 96 years (mean, 79.9 years). Forty patients were males and 55 females. Absence of compressibility was the most important criteria for detecting acute venous thrombosis. Results: Out of 95 patients, 33 patients (34.7%) were diagnosed with recent deep venous thrombosis of lower extremities (14 proximal and 19 distal) using complete venous ultrasound. Nine of these 33 patients (27.2%) had a history of venous thromboembolism and eleven (33.3%) presented with edema of lower extremities. A total of 28 patients (84.8%) with positive duplex scan had associated risk factors for venous thromboembolism. Conclusion: Lower extremity venous color flow duplex scan appears to be a reasonable initial screening test in the diagnostic algorithm of pulmonary embolism in geriatric inpatients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism. This is particularly true in patients with a history of venous thromboembolism, in patients with a clinical presentation suggesting venous thrombosis, in uremic patients and in patients with altered general and mental status who are not candidates for chest computed tomography. Keywords: venous thrombosis, lower extremities, geriatri

Maternal waterpipe smoke exposure and the risk of asthma and allergic diseases in childhood: A post hoc analysis

Introduction This analysis was conducted with the objective of evaluating association between waterpipe passive smoking exposure and asthma, and allergies among Lebanese children. Material and methods Data were taken from a crosssectional study on children from public and private schools. A sample of 22 schools participated in the study, where standardized written core questionnaires were distributed. From 5 to 12-year-old students filled in the questionnaires at home, while 13–14-year-old students filled it in in the class. In total, 5522 children were evaluated for the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema, and their associated factors, including waterpipe exposure due to parents’ smoking. Results The descriptive results of parental smoking were, as follows: among mothers: 1609 (29%) mothers smoked cigarettes, 385 (7%) smoked waterpipe and 98 (1.8%) smoked both; among fathers: 2449 (44.2%) smoked cigarettes, 573 (10.3%) smoked waterpipe and 197 (3.5%) smoked both. Maternal waterpipe smoking was significantly and moderately associated with allergic diseases (p < 0.001; ORa = 1.71), including probable asthma, rhinitis and dermatitis (p < 0.001 for all). Quite on the opposite, father’s waterpipe smoking was not associated with any of the diseases. Parental cigarette smoking demonstrated some positive effects: father’s cigarette smoking did not show association with dermatitis or asthma diagnosed by a physician, while mother’s cigarette smoking showed a positive association only with probable asthma. Moreover, no interactions between cigarette and waterpipe smoking were observed. Conclusions Maternal waterpipe smoking should be regarded as a high risk behavior; however, additional studies are necessary to confirm this finding

Maternal waterpipe smoke exposure and the risk of asthma and allergic diseases in childhood: A post hoc analysis

Introduction This analysis was conducted with the objective of evaluating association between waterpipe passive smoking exposure and asthma, and allergies among Lebanese children. Material and methods Data were taken from a crosssectional study on children from public and private schools. A sample of 22 schools participated in the study, where standardized written core questionnaires were distributed. From 5 to 12-year-old students filled in the questionnaires at home, while 13–14-year-old students filled it in in the class. In total, 5522 children were evaluated for the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema, and their associated factors, including waterpipe exposure due to parents’ smoking. Results The descriptive results of parental smoking were, as follows: among mothers: 1609 (29%) mothers smoked cigarettes, 385 (7%) smoked waterpipe and 98 (1.8%) smoked both; among fathers: 2449 (44.2%) smoked cigarettes, 573 (10.3%) smoked waterpipe and 197 (3.5%) smoked both. Maternal waterpipe smoking was significantly and moderately associated with allergic diseases (p < 0.001; ORa = 1.71), including probable asthma, rhinitis and dermatitis (p < 0.001 for all). Quite on the opposite, father’s waterpipe smoking was not associated with any of the diseases. Parental cigarette smoking demonstrated some positive effects: father’s cigarette smoking did not show association with dermatitis or asthma diagnosed by a physician, while mother’s cigarette smoking showed a positive association only with probable asthma. Moreover, no interactions between cigarette and waterpipe smoking were observed. Conclusions Maternal waterpipe smoking should be regarded as a high risk behavior; however, additional studies are necessary to confirm this finding

Validation of the respiratory toxics exposure score (RTES) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease screening

Objective: Our aim is to evaluate the validity of exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) and of a newly-created score as markers of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Materials and Methods: The CO level was measured in a derivation subsample of a cross-sectional study and linked to COPD diagnosis; its predictors were evaluated, and a scale was constructed. It was evaluated in a validation subsample and in a clinical setting. Results: Individuals with COPD had higher CO levels than healthy individuals. CO level signifi cant predictors were cigarettes per day, waterpipes per week, lower age, male gender, living close to diesel exhaust, heating home with the use of diesel, and having indoor family smokers. A score composed of CO predictors was able to signifi cantly predict COPD (Ora = 4–7.5). Conclusions: Coupled with the clinical judgment of physicians, this scale would be an excellent low-cost tool for screening COPD, in absence of spirometry

Cigarette and Waterpipe Smoking Decrease Respiratory Quality of Life in Adults: Results from a National Cross-Sectional Study

Background. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is gaining an importance over the world, and its effect on quality of life is better grasped. Our objective was to use the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) to describe the respiratory quality of life in the Lebanese population, stressing on differences between smokers and nonsmokers. Methods. Using data from a cross-sectional national study, we checked the construct validity and reliability of the CCQ. Factors and items correlation with postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC were reported, in addition to factors and scale association with COPD and its severity. We then conducted a multiple regression to find predictors of quality of life. Results. The CCQ demonstrated excellent psychometric properties, with adequacy to the sample and high consistency. Smokers had a decreased respiratory quality of life versus nonsmokers, independently of their respiratory disease status and severity. This finding was confirmed in COPD individuals, where several environmental factors, lower education, and cumulative smoking of cigarette and of waterpipe were found to be independent predictors of a lower quality of life, after adjusting for COPD severity. Conclusions. Smoking decreases the respiratory quality of life of Lebanese adults; this issue has to be further emphasized during smoking cessation and patients’ education

rs6837671A>G in <i>FAM13A</i> Is a Trans-Ethnic Genetic Variant Interacting with Vitamin D Levels to Affect Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

(1) Background and objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality throughout the world. In addition to genetics, increasing evidence suggests that Vitamin D (VitD) might be involved in different pathogenic mechanisms in COPD. Furthermore, the prevalence of VitD insufficiency is exceptionally high in COPD patients and increases with the severity. Based on the above, we first tested the relation between the top 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms from genome-wide association studies and the risk of COPD. Then, we investigated whether VitD levels might also have a role in COPD. A meta-analysis followed, combining our participants with previously published European and non-European populations (15,716 cases and 48,107 controls). (2) Methods: 631 Lebanese participants were recruited, of which ~28% were affected with COPD. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and DNA was genotyped using Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASPTM). Adjusted multiple logistic regression models were used. Bonferroni corrections were also applied. The statistical power was also assessed. (3) Results: Both rs6837671A>G in FAM13A and VitD levels were significantly associated with increased risk of COPD (OR = 1.75, p = 0.01, and OR = 3.10, p G in FAM13A and VitD levels, which increased COPD risk, was found (OR = 3.35 and p G in FAM13A is a trans-ethnic genetic variant that interact with VitD to affect COPD

rs6837671A&gt;G in FAM13A Is a Trans-Ethnic Genetic Variant Interacting with Vitamin D Levels to Affect Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

(1) Background and objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality throughout the world. In addition to genetics, increasing evidence suggests that Vitamin D (VitD) might be involved in different pathogenic mechanisms in COPD. Furthermore, the prevalence of VitD insufficiency is exceptionally high in COPD patients and increases with the severity. Based on the above, we first tested the relation between the top 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms from genome-wide association studies and the risk of COPD. Then, we investigated whether VitD levels might also have a role in COPD. A meta-analysis followed, combining our participants with previously published European and non-European populations (15,716 cases and 48,107 controls). (2) Methods: 631 Lebanese participants were recruited, of which ~28% were affected with COPD. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and DNA was genotyped using Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASPTM). Adjusted multiple logistic regression models were used. Bonferroni corrections were also applied. The statistical power was also assessed. (3) Results: Both rs6837671A&gt;G in FAM13A and VitD levels were significantly associated with increased risk of COPD (OR = 1.75, p = 0.01, and OR = 3.10, p &lt; 0.001 respectively). An interaction between rs6837671A&gt;G in FAM13A and VitD levels, which increased COPD risk, was found (OR = 3.35 and p &lt; 0.001). The meta-analysis showed that rs6837671G increases COPD risk in populations from different origins; Europeans, Asians, and now in Middle-Eastern. (4) Conclusions: Our results suggest that rs6837671A&gt;G in FAM13A is a trans-ethnic genetic variant that interact with VitD to affect COPD