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Tobacco smoke exposure and multiplexed immunoglobulin E sensitization in children: a population‐based study
Author(s) -
Yao T.C.,
Chang S.W.,
Hua M.C.,
Liao S.L.,
Tsai M.H.,
Lai S.H.,
Tseng Y.L.,
Yeh K.W.,
Tsai H.J.,
Huang J.L.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/all.12775
Subject(s) - medicine , sensitization , tobacco smoke , population , immunoglobulin e , immunology , antibody , environmental health
Abstract Background Although there is evidence that exposure to tobacco smoke is harmful to children's respiratory health, the effects of tobacco smoke exposure on the regulation of immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐mediated immune responses to specific allergens remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between objectively assessed tobacco smoke exposure and specific IgE profiles for a broad spectrum of allergens in a population setting. Methods Children aged 5–18 years ( N = 1315) were assessed using serum cotinine measurement and microarray‐based multiplexed detection of specific IgE against 40 allergens. Results Serum cotinine levels were positively associated with sensitization to foods (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.95; 95% CI: 1.59–15.34), cockroaches (AOR = 3.77; 95% CI: 1.49–9.51), and pollen (AOR = 2.84; 95% CI: 1.20–6.73) while the association was borderline significant for animals (AOR = 2.53; 95% CI: 0.92–6.93). No associations were found for sensitization against mites, mold, and latex. When considering the degree of allergic sensitization, serum cotinine levels were positively correlated to the number of sensitization to cockroaches ( P = 0.004), pollen ( P = 0.006), and foods ( P < 0.001), with statistically significant positive dose–response relationships (all P < 0.01). Similar results were observed when summing up specific IgE concentrations for the aforementioned allergen categories. Conclusions The association between tobacco smoke exposure and IgE sensitization to environmental allergens varies for different allergens among children. This study demonstrates that elevated serum cotinine levels are significantly associated with IgE sensitization to cockroaches, grass pollen, and certain foods, with potential dose‐dependent relationships.