Longitudinal study of parental smoking habits and development of asthma in early childhood.

Prev Med. 2011 Oct 26;

Authors: Kanoh M, Kaneita Y, Hara M, Harada S, Gon Y, Kanamaru H, Ohida T

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between parental smoking habits and the development of asthma in early childhood by using representative samples. METHODS: The survey subjects included all of the 53,575 babies born in Japan during the periods January 10-17 and July 10-17, 2001. The families of the subjects were asked to complete questionnaires that were delivered by post at 6months, 1year 6months, 2years 6months, 3years 6months, and 4years 6months postpartum. The first survey contained questions regarding the smoking habits of the parents. The second to fifth surveys asked if the child had needed medical attention for the treatment of asthma. RESULTS: Data from 36,888 subjects (collection rate: 68.9%) were analyzed. The 4-year cumulative incidence of asthma was 12.0%. Maternal indoor smoking significantly increased the risk of asthma development in children, 4-year risk 14.4% vs. 11.7%, risk ratio=1.24, 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.38. No statistically significant association was found between paternal smoking and asthma development in children. CONCLUSIONS: In order to prevent the development of asthma in early childhood, it is necessary to formulate measures to stop or discourage maternal smoking.

PMID: 22056631 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

FEF(25-75) might be a predictive factor for bronchial inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity in adolescents with allergic rhinitis.

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2011 Oct;24(4 Suppl):17-20

Authors: Ciprandi G, Tosca MA, Castellazzi AM, Cairello F, Salpietro C, Arrigo T, Miraglia Del Giudice M

Abstract
Allergic rhinitis and asthma are closely associated. Bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) is a pathophysiological characteristic of asthma. Allergic inflammation is characterized by eosinophilic infiltrate and may by indirectly assessed by exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Forced expiratory flow between 25 percent and 75 percent of vital capacity (FEF25-75) may predict BHR in adult patients with allergic rhinitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of BHR in a large group of adolescents with allergic rhinitis and whether FEF25-75 might be related with BHR and FeNO. Methods 150 adolescents with allergic rhinitis were enrolled. Clinical examination, skin prick test, spirometry, methacholine challenge, and FeNO were performed in all patients. Results Severe BHR is quite frequent in allergic adolescents. Impaired FEF25-75 values (such as less than 65 percent of predicted) constitute a relevant predictive factor for severe BHR (OR 4.4). FeNO levels were significantly related with BHR. Conclusion This study provides evidence that impaired FEF25-75 values might predict severe BHR and BHR is related with FeNO in adolescents. Therefore, BHR should be suspected in adolescents with low FEF25-75 values.

PMID: 22032781 [PubMed - in process]

Body mass index is related with bronchial function and reversibility in children with allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2011 Oct;24(4 Suppl):21-4

Authors: Ciprandi G, Brambilla I, Tosca MA, Arrigo T, Salpietro A, Leonardi S, La Rosa M, Marseglia GL

Abstract
Several studies have outlined a possible relationship between an increased body mass index and respiratory allergic diseases, such as asthma and rhinitis.The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between BMI and lung function, including bronchodilation test, in allergic children. The study included 153 children (103 males, mean age 12.8 years) with allergic rhinitis and mild asthma. All subjects were evaluated performing skin prick test, spirometry, and bronchodilalation test. BMI values were in the normal range as well as lung function. BMI significantly related with FEV1, FVC values and FEV1/FVC ratio both before and after bronchodilation. In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence that BMI is negatively related with bronchial reversibility in children with allergic rhinitis and asthma.As reversibility is related with bronchial inflammation, this finding might underline a link between overweight and allergic inflammation.

PMID: 22032782 [PubMed - in process]

Gene-environment interaction in childhood asthma.

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2011 Oct;24(4 Suppl):41-7

Authors: Rigoli L, Briuglia S, Caimmi S, Ferraú V, Gallizzi R, Leonardi S, La Rosa M, Salpietro C

Abstract
The importance of early life environmental influences on the etiology of asthma is implied by the observed geographic and temporal variation in the prevalence of the disease among children. There is evidence pointing to the role of exposure to allergen, various aspects of diet and hygiene-related factors in the etiology of asthma. There is also evidence that heritable factors influence the impact of hygiene-related exposures on the risk of having asthma. A number of important gene-environment interactions have been identified. These interactions point to the biology of environmental exposures as the involved genetic variation is suggestive of certain underlying mechanisms. Polymorphisms within genes coding for the toll-like receptor-lipopolysaccharide (TLR-LPS) signalling pathway may underlie variations in effects of hygiene-related exposures, including specifically endotoxin, on the risk of developing allergic sensitization and allergic disease. This review presents recent findings illustrating the role of gene-environment interactions in childhood asthma susceptibility.

PMID: 22032786 [PubMed - in process]