Exposure to Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Enhances Respiratory Symptoms and Responses to Animals in 8,819 Children in Kindergarten: Results from 25 Districts in Northeast China

Publisher: Karger

E-ISSN: 1423-0356|81|3|179-185

ISSN: 0025-7931

Source: Respiration, Vol.81, Iss.3, 2010-11, pp. : 179-185

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

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Abstract

Background: Experimental data suggest that asthma exacerbation by allergens is enhanced by exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS); however, there is little supporting epidemiologic evidence. To our knowledge, few studies have assessed respiratory symptoms and allergies in this context. Objectives: To evaluate whether the association of exposure to animals (indicators of allergen and endotoxin exposure) with asthma-related symptoms is modified by ETS exposure in Chinese children. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 8,819 children in kindergarten was conducted in 25 districts in northern China. Information on respiratory health and exposure to indoor allergens was obtained using a standard questionnaire from the American Thoracic Society. Results: Among the children with ETS exposure in utero, the effects of exposure to animals were significant with respect to persistent cough [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–2.99] and persistent phlegm (adjusted OR 2.40; 95% CI 1.28–4.54). The combined effect of in utero ETS exposure and animal exposure on doctor-diagnosed asthma was approximately as expected on the basis of their independent effects on an additive scale. There was no interaction between animal exposure and ETS exposure in the first 2 years of life or current ETS exposure. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that animal and ETS exposure increases the risk of asthma-related symptoms in children in kindergarten. ETS exposure in utero did modify the effect of animal exposure on persistent phlegm and persistent cough but not on doctor-diagnosed asthma among children.