Indoor Environment and Respiratory Health of Older People Living in Care Centres in Porto

Background: Considering that persons who are 65 years or older often spend an important part of their lives indoors, the possibility that adverse indoor climate might influence their health status must be considered. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the influence of indoor environmental parameters on older people respiratory health. Methods: From September 2012 to April 2013, 21 care centres residences (CCR) in the city of Porto, Portugal participated in this study. The Portuguese version of BOLD (Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease) questionnaire was administered by an interviewer to older residents with >= 65 years old who lived in the CCR for more than 2 weeks, gave their informed consent and were able to participate (n=143). Indoor environmental parameters (chemical and biological) were measured twice, during winter and summer in 135 areas within dining rooms, drawing rooms, medical offices and bedrooms. Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to study the association between the health questionnaire results and the monitored environmental parameters, adjusted for age, smoking habits, gender and number of years living in the CCR. Results: our sample was characterized mainly by women (85\%) with most people in the age group above 85 years old (48\%). Forty percent of the participants perceived their health status as being currently sick and were mostly (61\%) physically impaired. Cough (23\%) and sputum (12\%) were the major respiratory symptoms, and allergic rhinitis (18\%) the main self-reported illness. Heart troubles were reported by 37\% of the residents. Overall PM2.5 median concentration was above the reference levels both in winter and summer seasons. Also, peak values of PM10, TVOC, CO2, bacteria and fungi exceeded the reference levels, compromising indoor air comfort and worsening the already existent respiratory chronic diseases. In fact, older people exposed to PM10 Conclusion: In the CCR that participated in this study, allergic rhinitis was the main self-reported illness. High levels of PM10 were associated with 3-fold odds of allergic rhinitis. No association was found between indoor air chemical and biological parameters and respiratory symptoms.