The Effects of Environmental Tobacco Smoke on Asthma Severity
Author Information
Author(s): Comhair Suzy A. A., Gaston Benjamin M., Ricci Kristin S., Hammel Jeffrey, Dweik Raed A., Teague W. Gerald, Meyers Deborah, Ampleford Elizabeth J., Bleecker Eugene R., Busse William W., Calhoun William J., Castro Mario, Chung Kian Fan, Curran-Everett Douglas, Israel Elliot, Jarjour W. Nizar, Moore Wendy, Peters Stephen P., Wenzel Sally, Hazen Stanley L., Erzurum Serpil C.
Primary Institution: Cleveland Clinic
Hypothesis
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has quantifiable adverse effects on the health of well-established asthmatic individuals.
Conclusion
ETS exposure in asthmatic individuals is associated with worse lung function, higher acuity of exacerbations, more health care utilization, and greater bronchial hyperreactivity.
Supporting Evidence
- ETS exposure was associated with lower quality of life scores.
- ETS-exposed asthmatics had greater rescue inhaler use.
- Lower lung function was observed in ETS-exposed asthmatics.
- Greater risk for emergency room visits was noted in ETS-exposed individuals.
- Lower levels of serum SOD activity were found in ETS-exposed asthmatics.
Takeaway
Being around cigarette smoke can make asthma worse, leading to more doctor visits and trouble breathing.
Methodology
A multicenter study assessed the impact of ETS exposure on asthma morbidity, health care utilization, lung functions, and systemic superoxide dismutase activity.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-reported ETS exposure and the exclusion of current smokers.
Limitations
Not all subjects' serum was available for study, limiting SOD activity measurements.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 366 non-severe and 288 severe asthmatics, with ages ranging from 6 to 79 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.003
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 1.3–3.5
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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