Reducing Asthma Symptoms in Children by Fixing Damp Homes
Author Information
Author(s): Kercsmar Carolyn M., Dearborn Dorr G., Schluchter Mark, Xue Lintong, Kirchner H. Lester, Sobolewski John, Greenberg Stuart J., Vesper Stephen J., Allan Terry
Primary Institution: Case Western Reserve University, Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital
Hypothesis
Using a home environmental intervention involving construction remediation of sources of moisture and mold damage would significantly decrease asthma symptoms and health care use beyond that achieved by a standard asthma intervention alone.
Conclusion
Home remediation aimed at moisture sources significantly reduces asthma symptoms and health care use for children living in homes with mold problems.
Supporting Evidence
- Children in the remediation group had a significant decrease in symptom days after home repairs.
- The control group did not show significant changes in symptom days.
- 36.4% of controls had acute care visits compared to 17.2% in the remediation group.
- Pulmonary function improved in the remediation group at the first post-remediation visit.
- Total visible mold scores were significantly lower in the remediation group compared to controls.
Takeaway
Fixing damp homes can help kids with asthma feel better and go to the doctor less often.
Methodology
A randomized controlled trial where symptomatic asthmatic children received either home remediation or standard cleaning information.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to non-blinding of participants and study personnel to group assignments.
Limitations
The sample size was smaller than originally planned, which may affect the reliability of the results.
Participant Demographics
Children aged 2-17, primarily African American, with a significant portion from low-income families.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.003
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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