Molds Increase Asthma Severity

Sensitization to molds is a ?powerful risk factor for severe asthma in adults,? researchers concluded in an article in the British Medical Journal (August 24, 2002). Their study involved 1132 adults with asthma and skin prick test results. The data showed that increasing severity of asthma was significantly associated with frequency of sensitization to molds. In fact, the odds ratio for sensitization to molds was 2.34 among people with severe versus mild asthma. Asthma severity was not related to sensitization to pollen or cat allergen. The authors suggested that people with asthma who are allergic to molds should be careful to avoid outdoor exposure during the period of seasonal increase in mold spore counts and should stop indoor growth of mold by improving ventilation and decreasing dampness in their home.