Association between neighbourhood environment and asthma quality of life: Results of the EQUIPROBE-Asthma study

Introduction: Although several socio-environmental factors have been established to influence asthma quality of life (AQL), the influence of neighbourhood environment on AQL has not been explored systematically. Objective: To estimate the association between neighbourhood environment and AQL. Methods: Among 131 clinically diagnosed asthma patients (mean age 37±19 years), information about neighbourhood environment was obtained from a structured questionnaire containing items about domicile, locality, closeness to noisy places (such as bus or railway station, airport, market, nearby road, etc.), and residential proximity to green/blue space. AQL was assessed using the previously validated Bengali version of the asthma quality of life questionnaire (AQLQ-S). Results: 42% of the study population was male. Mean AQLQ-total, AQLQ-activity and AQLQ-emotional function scores were 171±34, 54±14 and 29±6, respectively. In multivariable linear regression model adjusted for age, sex, educational qualification, socioeconomic status, and FEV1 (%predicted), residential proximity to green/blue space was significantly associated with better AQLQ-activity [regression coefficient (β): 5.3; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.2 to 10.4]. On the other hand, residential proximity to noisy places was negatively associated with AQLQ-emotional function [β: -3.3; 95%CI: -6.5 to -0.04]. Conclusion: Neighbourhood environment such as lack of proximity to green/blue space and closeness to noisy places can negatively influence the quality of life in asthma.