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Air Pollution Exposure Among Adult Chronic Airway Disease Patients in the Gambia: A Pilot Case-control Study

Awokola, B.I., Mohammed, N., Okello, G., Johnson, O., Jatta, M.L., Susso, M., Gibba, A., Ndow, P., Awokola, E., Amusa, G.A., Jewell, C.P., Devereux, Graham ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0024-4887, Mortimer, K.J. and Erhart, A. (2023) 'Air Pollution Exposure Among Adult Chronic Airway Disease Patients in the Gambia: A Pilot Case-control Study'. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Vol 2023, Issue 207, eA3586.

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Abstract

Background:
Chronic Airway Diseases (CADs) are of public health importance in both the developed countries and Low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). Air pollution has a role in the causation of CADs and the worsening of already established CADs. This study examines the extent to which adult CAD patients and age and sex-matched controls in The Gambia are exposed to fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide.

Methodology:
In a clinic-based pilot case-control study,50adult patients with diagnosis of asthma or COPD presenting at respiratory clinics in the Western Health region in The Gambia were consecutively recruited along with 50 age and sex-matched controls who presented for non-cardiorespiratory conditions. Baseline spirometry, clinical examination and chest x-ray were done alongside the questionnaire administration. Home and personal PM2.5, CO and Exhaled CO were subsequently measured.

Results:
The median (SD) age of cases was 51.5±26 years and controls 52.0±24.8 years. Most cases were urban dwellers, presented with wheeze, cough, shortness of breath and weight loss. Two-thirds (25/40) of the asthmatics had a poor asthma control test score, whilst 90% (9/10) of the COPD patients had CAT scores showing at least a medium impact on their lives. Three-quarters (21/50) of cases had ≥1exacerbation in the previous year. Passive smoking occurred in one-quarter of the cases. There is slightly more personal and home exposure to PM2.5 among controls (61.2μg/m3) than cases(51.8μg/m3). Controls had slightly more home CO exposure 71.2 μg/m3) compared to cases (65.2μg/m3). Cases have more personal CO exposure as the controls. Also, occupational dust exposure and exposure to burning refuse occurred among the cases.

Conclusion:
As compared with controls, Chronic airway disease patients in The Gambia, present with significantly advanced disease, are likely to have had at least one exacerbation in the last year, and are exposed to personal CO, second-hand smoke, occupational dust and burning refuse. There is need for concerted efforts among all stakeholders to reduce such exposure, thus preventing worsening of already established.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: American Thoracic Society International Conference Abstracts > B51. ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY OF AIRWAY DISEASE, ASTHMA, AND COPD
Subjects: WA Public Health > WA 100 General works
WA Public Health > Air pollution > WA 754 Pollution and pollutants (incl. tobacco pollution; passive smoking)
WF Respiratory System > WF 20 Research (General)
Faculty: Department: Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_meetingabstracts.a3586
SWORD Depositor: JISC Pubrouter
Depositing User: JISC Pubrouter
Date Deposited: 16 May 2023 15:05
Last Modified: 16 May 2023 15:05
URI: https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/22473

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