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Cigarette smoking and allergic sensitization: a 32-year population-based cohort studyWe've known for years that cigarette smoking suppresses the immune system, but its impact on allergy has been unclear. This study published in the January 2008 Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology investigates the impact of passive smoking in childhood and active smoking in adolescence and adulthood on allergic sensitisation in a group of 1037 participants followed from birth to adulthood. First of all, this is not a "good news" or "bad news" study. Even though the authors found that active and passive smoking is associated with a reduced risk of allergic sensitisation in people with a family history of allergic disease, it should not be interpreted that a new treatment for allergies has been discovered! One could say that this study reveals just how deeply the effects of smoking penetrate into our bodies. The findings support the theory that the immune-suppressant effects of cigarette smoke may reduce the risk of allergic disease. The underlying mechanisms for this association remain to be determined. By contrast, there was no evidence that smoking reversed allergic disease that had already developed by age 13. Ironically, there has been a widespread belief that passive tobacco smoke exposure increases the risk of allergies in children. The harmful effects of cigarette smoke are well known and there are many reasons to avoid it. These findings suggest, though, that preventing allergic sensitisation is not one of them. |
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© 1996-2008 · All Rights Reserved · American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology |
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