[Air pollution, eczema and asthma in Sør-Varanger. Is the high consumption of corticosteroid ointments caused by increased tendency for eczema?].

Abstract

Many investigations suggest that a high degree of air-borne pollution increases the prevalence of diseases like asthma and eczema. Sør-Varanger Municipality in Finnmark County in the north of Norway receives much air-borne pollution from domestic industry and from the metallurgic industry on the Kola peninsula in North-Western Russia. We have investigated indirect parameters of morbidity caused by asthma and eczema by analyzing data on drug consumption and hospital admissions. In Sør-Varanger there is high consumption of corticosteroids for dermatological use. Consumption of anti-asthmatic drugs and number of admissions to hospital for asthma and eczema were no higher than expected. We suspect that air-borne pollution, particularly the heavy metal nickel, increases the prevalence and perhaps worsens the degree of eczema in Sør-Varanger.

• Authors: H G Sunde, K A Holtedahl
• Journal: Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke (Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen) Vol. 113 Issue 2 Pg. 218-21 (Jan 20 1993) ISSN: 0029-2001 [Print] Norway
• Vernacular Title: Luftforurensning, eksem og astma i Sør-Varanger. Skyldes høyt forbruk av kortikosteroidsalver øket eksemtendens?
• PMID: 8430405 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones
• Air Pollutants
• Air Pollutants, Occupational
• Bronchodilator Agents
• Ointments

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (administration & dosage)
• Adult
• Aged
• Air Pollutants (adverse effects)
• Air Pollutants, Occupational (adverse effects)
• Asthma (chemically induced, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Bronchodilator Agents (administration & dosage)
• Child
• Drug Utilization
• Eczema (chemically induced, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Norway (epidemiology)
• Ointments