Abstract

"The aim of this study is to report the association between indoor pollution (IP), chronic respiratory symptoms (CRS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Data provided from PLATINO study considering a sample of 1.208 subjects 40 and over years old population in Santiago, Chile. Analyses regarding indoor air pollution variables, smoking, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and lifetime exposure to occupational dust and CRS and COPD as main outcomes was performed. Crude and adjusted prevalence odds ratios (POR) were calculated using logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Variables explaining higher COPD risk were age > 60 years (POR 3.94, CI95% 2.87-5.41, p < 0.01) and males (POR 2.08, CI95% 1.53-2.83, p < 0.01). Exposure to coal IP was associated with CRS (POR 1.41, CI95% 1.05-1.89; p = 0.024), as well as exposure to fi rewood IP (POR 1.42, CI95% 1.04-1.93; p = 0.029) and ETS (POR 2.15, CI95% 1.24-3.73, p = 0.006). Exposure to coal, firewood and ETS are independent risk factors for CRS. Association between exposure to IP and COPD was not observed."