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Asthma varies among New York City neighborhoods

The prevalence of asthma was three times higher in low socioeconomic neighborhoods in New York City, which had greater levels of mouse and cockroach allergens, when compared with other neighborhoods in the city, according to data presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology.

Researchers at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health initiated the NYC Neighborhood Asthma and Allergy Study to assess the disparities observed in asthma incidence among various areas throughout the city.

They recruited 58 7-year-old children from high asthma prevalence neighborhoods and 61 from low asthma prevalence neighborhoods, all of whom were enrolled in the Health Insurance Plan of New York.

The researchers gathered data through screening questionnaires and samples collected during home visits.

They used ImmunoCAP (Phadia) to test for specific immunoglobulin E and measured bed dust allergens by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results revealed that children who wheezed in the past year had a higher prevalence of immunoglobulin E to cockroach, mouse and Dermatophagoides farina allergens.

More than four episodes of wheezing were associated with higher levels of cockroach or mouse allergens found in a child’s bed dust, Rachel L. Miller, MD, of the Columbia University Medical Center, said during the presentation. Furthermore, greater levels of cockroach and mouse allergens were found in high asthma prevalence neighborhoods, whereas dust mite allergens were more abundant in low asthma prevalence neighborhoods.

The researchers also assessed data in the context of housing type — apartment buildings, multi-family homes and single-family homes. Miller said the researchers noted that high asthma prevalence areas had more high-rise buildings than single-family and multi-family homes, and the possible association between building type and asthma rates in New York City may be worth further study. – by Melissa Foster

For more information:

• Olmedo OE. #225. Presented at: 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology; Feb. 26-March 2, 2010; New Orleans.

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