Home insulation and mold exposure: assessing their influence on lung function in people with cystic fibrosis

<bold>Background:</bold> Cystic fibrosis (CF), a hereditary genetic disorder, impairs respiratory and digestive systems by causing progressive lung damage. This study examined the impact of the environment on CF-related respiratory health, particularly focusing on home insulation and mold as environmental factors. <bold>Method:</bold> In this cross-sectional survey (n=389),including parents of children with CF and adult patients, Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) was used between July-August 2023 to assess demographics, health issues, and environmental factors of people with CF (pwCF). Insulation and mold presence were evaluated based on responses. <bold>Results:</bold> The study revealed that houses with insulation, were associated with a significantly higher forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) values (p=0.028). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that home insulation positively influenced FEV1 levels (B = 5.799, p = 0.035), although it accounted for only a modest portion of the variance (adjusted R² = 0.220). Insulated houses showed lower rates of mold. Our study revealed a statistically significant association between the absence of mold in the home and the absence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in patients, with an Odds Ratio of 3.101 (95% CI: 1.014–9.482), suggesting that mold-free environments may be correlated with a lower occurrence of ABPA. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Our findings suggest that insulation plays a crucial role in reducing mold and contributes to improved respiratory health in pwCF. Despite limitations, this research underscores the potential of home modifications, specifically insulation, to enhance the well-being of pwCF.