Geriatric study in Europe on health effects of air quality in nursing homes (GERIE study) profile: objectives, study protocol and descriptive data

Isabella Annesi-Maesano; Dan Norback; Jan Zielinski; Alfred Bernard; Cristina Gratziou; Torben Sigsgaard; Piersante Sestini; Giovanni Viegi

doi:10.4081/mrm.2013.583

Geriatric study in Europe on health effects of air quality in nursing homes (GERIE study) profile: objectives, study protocol and descriptive data

Authors

Isabella Annesi-Maesano INSERM, U 707: EPAR, Paris; Université Pierre et Marie Curie – Sorbonne Univiversités, UMR S 707: EPAR, Paris
Dan Norback Departments of Medical Science, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala
Jan Zielinski 2nd Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Warsaw, Warsaw
Alfred Bernard Department of Public Health, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels
Cristina Gratziou Asthma Centre Pulmonary and critical care Department, Athens University, Athens
Torben Sigsgaard Sect of Environment Occupation & Health Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus
Piersante Sestini Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Viale Bracci, Siena
Giovanni Viegi Pulmonary Environmental Epidemiology Unit, CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa; CNR Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, Palermo

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/mrm.2013.583

Keywords:

Indoor, Air quality, Comfort parameters, Elderly, Respiratory health

Abstract

Background: Indoor air pollution (IAP) constitutes a major global public health problem requiring increasing efforts in research and policymaking that may have special significance for elderly that are likely to spend most of their day indoors and appear to be particularly susceptible to adverse effects of chemical pollutants and bio-contaminants. Yet, evidence existing on the effects of IAP in elderly is scanty. The Geriatric study in Europe on health effects of air quality in nursing homes (GERIE) study aimed to assess health effects of major indoor air pollutants and thermal conditions in elderly (> 70 years) living stably in nursing homes (NH) across Europe. Respiratory effects were particularly considered as airways and lung constitute the first target of air pollutants. Objectives: We describe here the rationale and the methods of the GERIE Study. Methods: 8 nursing homes were randomly selected in 7 European countries. Twenty individuals were randomly selected in each nursing home. Major indoor and outdoor air chemical pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, PM0.1, formaldehyde, NO2; O3, VOC, CO2) and bio-contaminants (moulds, allergens) were assessed objectively with standardized procedures. Major health status indicators were assessed through a standardized questionnaire, non-invasive clinical tests and blood and urine biomarkers as well as saliva for ADN. Results: The GERIE study has given the opportunity to publish two reviews on respiratory health effects of indoor and outdoor air pollution in elderly. In addition it has provided the inventory of air quality and thermal conditions in 50 nursing homes across Europe and data on respiratory health status in 600 elderly aged 82 years in mean. Major future results will include the relationships between NH environment and health in elderly. Conclusions: The main long-term purpose of the GERIE study is to improve the health of elderly who permanently reside in nursing homes or of those who are exposed to indoor air pollution because of reduced mobility.