ATS NEWS TIPS FROM MAR. JOURNALS
For Release: Mar. 20, 1997, 6:00 p.m.
The following stories appear in the American Thoracic Society (ATS) March
journals:
Pulmonary Problems Greater In Low Income Groups Even When Access To Care Is Present
Access to care is often cited as one reason that asthma is greater among
low income groups in the U.S. However, a Canadian study suggests that this
may be true in some age groups but not necessarily in other age groups.
The study was carried out by researchers at the University of manitoba in
Winnipeg where universal health coverage is provided for that city's
650,000 residents. Looking at census data from 1986 and 1992 in five
quintiles from low to high income, investigators reviewed selected
diagnoses of asthma, acute bronchitis, bronchiolitis, chronic bronchitis,
emphysema, and chronic airways obstruction...all grouped under the heading
of total respiratory morbidity (TRM). They found that TRM was generally
higher in low income groups. In singling out asthma, they found it more
prevalent in low income individuals over 35 years of age. However, the low
income association with asthma was not observed in those under 35. In
fact, among young children in the poorest quintile, asthma was LESS
prevalent than among young children in the highest income group.
Investigators pointed out that those children with low income had more (non
emergency room) physician contacts than those with high income. They also
reported that between 1988 and 1992, asthma prevalence increased by 60
percent. The study was reported in the March issue of the American Journal
of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Moderate Air Pollution Associated With Respiratory Ills In Children
Four thousand, four hundred and seventy school children in 10 communities
in Switzerland were studied to determine whether rates of respiratory and
allergic symptoms were associated with air pollution even at moderate
levels. Investigators found that annual mean levels of particulate matter
less than 10 micrometers in diameter, nitrogin dioxide, and sulfur dioxide
were positively and significantly associated with a range of symptoms
including chronic cough, nocturnal cough, bronchitis, and conjunctivitis.
In addition to establishing the association between symptoms and moderate
pollution levels, investigators also reported that fog frequency was also
associated with respiratory symptoms. Noting previous analysis of fog
droplets containing high concentrations of sulfuric and nitric acid, they
said the droplets had an irritative effect on mucous membrames which was
additive to the effects of air pollution. The study is reported in the
March issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care
Medicine.
Inhalation of Cigarette Smoke May Stimulate Bone Marrow And Increase White
Cells In The Blood
Researchers in British Columbia reported on a study to measure the effects
of cigarette smoke inhalation on the rate of production of leukocytes
(white cells) from the bone marrow into peripheral blood. They concluded
that chronic cigarette smoking stimulates the bone marrow, increases the
size of the mitotic and
postmitotic pools of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reduces the time
these leukocytes spend in the postmitotic pool in the marrow. The study
findings are reported in the March issue of the American Journal of
Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
For the complete text of these articles or for more information, call
Christina Shepherd, American Thoracic Society, at (212) 315-6440 or fax
her at (212) 315-6455.
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