Healthy Homes, Healthy Lungs: The Role of Home Insulation in Environmental Impact on People With Cystic Fibrosis.

Abstract

Background: People with CF (pwCF) constantly strive for lung health, making environmental factors a crucial aspect of comprehensive care. This study investigated the impact of home insulation on the respiratory health of individuals with CF, focusing on dampness and mold as potential environmental factors. We hypothesize that improved living conditions, specifically adequate home insulation, have a positive impact on lung health in pwCF by reducing exposure to environmental risk factors such as dampness and mold.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey involving 389 participants, was conducted between July and August 2023 using the computer assisted telephone interview (CATI) technique. Participants were asked about demographic features, dwelling house characteristics and medical conditions. The insulation status of the house and presence of mold were evaluated based on participant responses.

Results: The study revealed that houses with insulation, constituting 72.8% of the sample, were associated with higher percent predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second (ppFEV₁) values (p = 0.028). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that insulation positively influenced ppFEV₁ (p = 0.005, B = 7.27), although it accounts for a modest portion of the variance in FEV₁ (adjusted R² = 0.254). Insulated houses showed lower rates of mold. Our study revealed an association between the absence of mold in the home and the absence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in individuals, suggesting that environments free of mold may be associated with a lower occurrence of ABPA (p = 0.03).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that insulation plays a role in reducing mold, contributing to improved respiratory health in pwCF. Despite limitations, the research underscores the potential of home modifications, specifically insulation, to enhance the well-being of individuals with CF.