Authors: Gómez, M.¹; Vollmer, W.M.²; Caceres, M.E.¹; Jossen, R.¹; Baena-Cagnani, C.E.³

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 13, Number 8, August 2009 , pp. 1023-1028(6)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The association of tobacco smoke with the prevalence of asthma and rhinitis has not been well-characterized in adolescents.

METHODS: As part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 3000 adolescents aged 13-14 years in northern Argentina. Data included questions about asthma and rhinitis symptoms and about parental and personal smoking. Logistic regression and Pearson χ² statistics were used to estimate these associations.

RESULTS: Over 13% of respondents described themselves as current smokers, and half indicated that at least one parent smoked at home. Active smoking was associated with both asthma (OR 1.83, 95%CI 1.42-2.35) and rhinitis (OR 1.61, 95%CI 1.33-1.92) in unadjusted analysis. These associations persisted after adjusting for parental smoking status, mother's educational level and sex. Boys were significantly less likely than girls to report current asthma or rhinitis.

CONCLUSIONS: Active and passive smoking are both risk factors for asthma and rhinitis in adolescents. Assuming that some children with asthma never started smoking due to symptoms, then the true risk could be higher than reported here. These results reinforce the need to develop better strategies for primary and secondary prevention of tobacco exposure in children.

Keywords: asthma; rhinitis; tobacco smoke; ISAAC; Argentina

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, Alas Medical Institute, Salta, Argentina 2: Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Portland, Oregon, USA 3: Ear Nose and Throat Department, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina

Publication date: 2009-08-01

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• The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease publishes articles on all aspects of lung health, including public health-related issues such as training programmes, cost-benefit analysis, legislation, epidemiology, intervention studies and health systems research. The IJTLD is dedicated to the continuing education of physicians and health personnel and the dissemination of information on tuberculosis and lung health world-wide.

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