TY - JOUR
T1 - Detrimental effects of environmental tobacco smoke in relation to asthma severity
AU - Comhair, Suzy A.A.
AU - Gaston, Benjamin M.
AU - Ricci, Kristin S.
AU - Hammel, Jeffrey
AU - Dweik, Raed A.
AU - Teague, W. Gerald
AU - Meyers, Deborah
AU - Ampleford, Elizabeth J.
AU - Bleecker, Eugene R.
AU - Busse, William W.
AU - Calhoun, William J.
AU - Castro, Mario
AU - Chung, Kian Fan
AU - Curran-Everett, Douglas
AU - Israel, Elliot
AU - Jarjour, W. Nizar
AU - Moore, Wendy
AU - Peters, Stephen P.
AU - Wenzel, Sally
AU - Hazen, Stanley L.
AU - Erzurum, Serpil C.
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has adverse effects on the health of asthmatics, however the harmful consequences of ETS in relation to asthma severity are unknown. Methods: In a multicenter study of severe asthma, we assessed the impact of ETS exposure on morbidity, health care utilization and lung functions; and activity of systemic superoxide dismutase (SOD), a potential oxidative target of ETS that is negatively associated with asthma severity. Findings: From 2002-2006, 654 asthmatics (non-severe 366, severe 288) were enrolled, among whom 109 non-severe and 67 severe asthmatics were routinely exposed to ETS as ascertained by history and validated by urine cotinine levels. ETS-exposure was associated with lower quality of life scores; greater rescue inhaler use; lower lung function; greater bronchodilator responsiveness; and greater risk for emergency room visits, hospitalization and intensive care unit admission. ETS-exposure was associated with lower levels of serum SOD activity, particularly in asthmatic women of African heritage. Interpretation: ETS-exposure of asthmatic individuals is associated with worse lung function, higher acuity of exacerbations, more health care utilization, and greater bronchial hyperreactivity. The association of diminished systemic SOD activity to ETS exposure provides for the first time a specific oxidant mechanism by which ETS may adversely affect patients with asthma.
AB - Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has adverse effects on the health of asthmatics, however the harmful consequences of ETS in relation to asthma severity are unknown. Methods: In a multicenter study of severe asthma, we assessed the impact of ETS exposure on morbidity, health care utilization and lung functions; and activity of systemic superoxide dismutase (SOD), a potential oxidative target of ETS that is negatively associated with asthma severity. Findings: From 2002-2006, 654 asthmatics (non-severe 366, severe 288) were enrolled, among whom 109 non-severe and 67 severe asthmatics were routinely exposed to ETS as ascertained by history and validated by urine cotinine levels. ETS-exposure was associated with lower quality of life scores; greater rescue inhaler use; lower lung function; greater bronchodilator responsiveness; and greater risk for emergency room visits, hospitalization and intensive care unit admission. ETS-exposure was associated with lower levels of serum SOD activity, particularly in asthmatic women of African heritage. Interpretation: ETS-exposure of asthmatic individuals is associated with worse lung function, higher acuity of exacerbations, more health care utilization, and greater bronchial hyperreactivity. The association of diminished systemic SOD activity to ETS exposure provides for the first time a specific oxidant mechanism by which ETS may adversely affect patients with asthma.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/79955764189
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0018574
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0018574
M3 - Article
C2 - 21572527
AN - SCOPUS:79955764189
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 6
JO - PloS one
JF - PloS one
IS - 5
M1 - e18574
ER -