|
Abstract
|
BACKGROUND: The association between asthma and swimming pool attendance has not been demonstrated and contrasting results emerged. In order to clarify the association between asthma diagnosis in children and swimming pool attendance, and to assess the consistency of findings of the available epidemiological studies, we completed a literature analysis focusing on literature about the relationship between the exposure to disinfection by-products in indoor swimming pool during childhood and asthma diagnosis.
METHODS: Following the MOOSE and PRISMA criteria, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by searching MEDLINE via PubMed, TOXNET, and Scopus databases (inception - April 20, 2015) using the key word "Asthma" together with "swimming pool", "disinfection by-products", "indoor air pollution" and "children". Inclusion criteria were: English language, a complete analytic study design comprising a cohort of children (0-16 years), a well-defined definition of exposure, and the presence of data on effect and variance. Studies considering in vivo, in vitro or professional and accidental exposures were excluded.
RESULTS: After a screening process, seven reports (n=5851 subjects) were included out of a total of 2928 references. The reported Odds Ratio (ORs) of the association between swimming pool attendance and asthma prevalence ranged from 0.58 to 2.30. The present meta-analysis failed to reveal a significant difference in asthma development between children attending swimming pools and controls (OR=1.084; 95%IC=0.89-1.31).
CONCLUSION: Swimming in childhood does not increase the doctor diagnosed asthma. Based on this meta-analysis review, the association of the disease with attendance of indoor pools resulted inconsistent. Primary source of funding: This study was supported by IUSM grants 2014-2015. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Language: en |