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. 1999 Dec;54(12):1070–1074. doi: 10.1136/thx.54.12.1070

Case-control study of hospital admission with asthma in children aged 5-14 years: relation with road traffic in north west London

P Wilkinson 1, P Elliott 1, C Grundy 1, G Shaddick 1, B Thakrar 1, P Walls 1, S Falconer 1
PMCID: PMC1763751  PMID: 10567625

Abstract

BACKGROUND—Evidence for an association between road traffic pollution and asthma is inconclusive. We report a case-control study of hospital admissions for asthma and respiratory illness among children aged 5-14 in relation to proxy markers of traffic related pollution.
METHODS—The study was based on routine hospital admissions data in 1992/3 and 1993/4 for North Thames (West) health region within the M25 motorway. Cases were defined as emergency admissions for asthma (n = 1380) or all respiratory illness including asthma (n = 2131), and controls (n = 5703) were other emergency admissions excluding accidents. Cases and controls were compared with respect to distance of residence from nearest main road or roads with peak hour traffic >1000 vehicles and traffic volume within 150 m of residence, obtained by Geographical Information System techniques. Statistical analysis included adjustment for age, sex, admitting hospital, and a deprivation score for the census enumeration district of residence.
RESULTS—Adjusted odds ratios of hospital admission for asthma and respiratory illness for children living within 150 m of a main road compared with those living further away were, respectively, 0.93(95% CI 0.82 to 1.06) and 1.02 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.14).
CONCLUSIONS—This study showed no association between risk of hospital admission for asthma or respiratory illness among children aged 5-14 and proxy markers of road traffic pollution.



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Selected References

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