The effects of alcohol consumption and smoking on allergy risk in Korean adults

Alcohol use disorder and risk of sensitization to environmental allergens in Sub-Continental Asian Indian males

Alcohol is known to cause elevation of serum total IgE (tIgE). Whether it can predispose to allergic disorders, however, is not clear. To assess whether alcohol can cause sensitization to allergens, we analyzed 100 individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and 50 matched healthy controls. Serum tIgE and specific IgE against environmental allergens were measured. We found 93% of individuals with AUD had raised tIgE compared to only 48% of healthy controls (p < 0.0001). Sensitization to aeroallergens was noted in 68% drinkers compared to 24% of controls (p < 0.0001). The degree of sensitization was directly proportional to the amount and duration of alcohol intake. There is a possibility of a link between alcohol abuse and allergic sensitization.

The Association between Tobacco Smoke and Serum Immunoglobulin E Levels in Korean Adults

Objective Smoking is common in patients with allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cross-sectional association between the current smoking status and total and specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in Korean adults. Methods Data were obtained from the 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a national cross-sectional study. We analyzed the data of subjects whose smoking status and serum IgE levels were of acceptable quality. Results A total of 1,963 subjects (1,118 never smokers, 340 ex-smokers, and 505 current smokers) were included. The total IgE levels and specific IgE levels to house dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), cockroach, and dog allergens in never smokers were significantly (p<0.0001) lower than in ex-smokers or current smokers. After adjusting for other variables, current smokers independently had significantly higher levels of total IgE and cockroach-specific IgE than ex-smokers or never smokers. The proportions of subjects with total IgE ≥150 kU/L and specific IgE ≥0.35 kU/L to Df-specific IgE were significantly (p value for trend <0.05) increased in ex-smokers and current smokers. The total IgE levels and IgE levels specific to Df, cockroaches, and dogs significantly (p value for trend <0.05) and proportionally increased with increasing numbers of cigarettes smoked daily. Conclusion Smoking was associated with elevated total IgE levels and IgE levels specific to Df, cockroach, and dog allergens in a cumulative, dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, current smoking status was an independent risk factor for elevated total IgE levels and IgE levels specific to cockroach allergen.

The association between serum lead and total immunoglobulin E levels according to allergic sensitization

BACKGROUND

Results of several studies showed that blood lead concentration is positively associated with total immunoglobulin E (IgE) value. However, no study has investigated whether allergic sensitization could be responsible for the association between lead exposure and total IgE value.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether there was difference in the association between lead exposure and the total IgE value, depending on the presence or absence of Dermatophagoides farinae sensitization.

METHODS

We used data obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Serum levels of heavy metals, such as mercury, cadmium, and lead, were measured. Total and D. farinae specific IgE levels were measured, and the urinary cotinine level was investigated. Information about sex, age, body mass index, and household income were also obtained. We analyzed the association between serum lead and total IgE levels, after adjusting other variables.

RESULTS

In an multivariate linear regression analysis, only the serum concentration of lead among the three heavy metals was positively associated with logarithmic transformed total IgE (coefficient [B], 0.026 [95% confidence interval {CI}], 0.008-0.044). When we performed the same analysis on groups divided by allergic D. farinae sensitization status, we found a significant positive association between serum lead and logarithmic transformed total IgE values in subjects with D. farinae sensitization (B, 0.043 [95% CI, 0.014-0.071]) but not in subjects without D. farinae sensitization (B, 0.015 [95% CI, -0.008 to 0.039]).

CONCLUSIONS

A positive association between the serum lead and total IgE levels was statistically significant in subjects with D. farinae sensitization, which indicated that the immunologic effects of lead exposure may be greater in people with allergic sensitization.