Cross-Sectional Study to Identify Potential Risk Factors for Eczema within the Common Household Environment in Taiwan

BACKGROUND: Much attention has been focused on environmental risk factors and their roles in eczema development. In this regard, the specific eczema risk factors in Taiwan were relatively unknown. As such, this study investigated the common indoor risk factors present in Taiwanese households. AIMS: To discuss the effects of several indoor risk factors on the prevalence of atopic eczema in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study was performed in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, using both survey investigation and fungal culturing. A total of 998 participants were enrolled in the survey, with 513 participants selected for fungal culture. Risks of atopic eczema were calculated as odds ratios for various risk factors using logistic regression. The correlation between potential risk factors and the fungal level was analyzed with linear regression. RESULTS: Pet and house plants have an adjusted odds ratio of 1.434 (95% CL: 1.011–2.033) and 1.820 (95% CL: 1.229-2.696), respectively. Additionally, smoking was shown to possess an odds ratio of 1.461 (95% CL: 1.064-2.006). Wood wall has an adjusted odds ratio of 2.143 (95% CL: 1.235-3.658). Frequent bedroom shower use (β = 0.254) and hours of opened windows (β = 0.106) have shown significant positive associations with indoor fungal level. CONCLUSION: Pets, house plants, and smoking were concluded to be major risk factors for atopic eczema. Wood wall remained controversial due to its limited sample size and possible confounders. Bedroom shower and window-opening have been shown to increase mold growth, but the lack of association with eczema suggested other allergens besides mold to be the primary eczema trigger.