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Being exposed and sensitized to indoor allergens is a well-known risk factor for asthma, but does it exacerbate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Indoor pollution causes and exacerbates COPD, but is mitigation effective? Researchers addressed these questions in two studies in former smokers with moderate-to-severe COPD in Baltimore, Maryland.
Among 183 COPD patients, 77% were exposed to at least one indoor allergen (i.e., dust mite, cockroach, cat, dog, or mouse) according to household samples, and 17% were sensitized to an exposed allergen as determined by specific IgE blood testing. Exposure and sensitization were associated with 8.3% lower lung function, worse respiratory questionnaire scores, and a 2.3-fold excess risk for ex…