Rationale: Previous studies have shown harmful effects of tobacco smoke exposure on respiratory health, whereas few population-based studies in this field using cotinine as a biomarker of tobacco smoke exposure, especially in non-white children. This study aimed to investigate the association between tobacco smoke exposure and childhood allergic diseases in a population setting. Methods: A population sample of Asian children aged 5-18 years (N=1,315) were evaluated using questionnaires, allergen-specific immunoglobulin E, and serum cotinine levels as an index of tobacco smoke exposure. Results: Serum cotinine levels were positively associated with rhinitis ever (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-7.60) and current rhinitis (AOR=2.71; 95% CI: 1.07-6.89), while the association was marginally significant for physician-diagnosed rhinitis (AOR=2.26; 95% CI: 0.88-5.83). No association was observed for asthma or eczema. Stratified analyses showed that serum cotinine levels were positively associated with rhinitis ever (AOR=3.34; 95% CI: 1.05-10.61) and current rhinitis (AOR=4.23; 95% CI: 1.28-13.97) among teenagers but not in young children aged less than 10 years. Significant positive association of serum cotinine levels with current rhinitis was found among children without allergic sensitization (AOR=6.76; 95% CI: 1.21-37.74), but not seen among those with allergic sensitization. Conclusions: This Asian cohort demonstrates supportive evidence for positive association of tobacco smoke exposure with rhinitis, while the effect is mainly confined to non-allergic rhinitis and more pronounced in adolescents than in young children, highlighting the need for raising public health awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco smoke exposure on children's respiratory health.
Date:
2017-02
Relation:
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2017 Feb;139(2. Suppl.):AB24.
