Effect of gas cooking on lung function in adolescents: modifying role of sex and immunoglobulin E
G M Corboa, F Forastiereb, N Agabitib, V Dell'Orcob, R Pistellia, M L Aebischerc, S Valentea, C A Peruccib
a Respiratory
Physiology Department, Catholic University, 00168 Rome, Italy, b Latium Region Health Authority, Rome, Italy, c Red Cross, Rome, Italy
Correspondence to: Dr G M Corbo gmcorbo{at}yahoo.com
Received 11 July 2000; Returned to authors 2 December 2000; Revised version received 12 March 2001; Accepted for publication 28 March 2001
BACKGROUND
A study was
undertaken to investigate the effect of gas cooking on the lung
function of adolescents while considering serum IgE level as a possible
effect modifier.
METHODThe cross
sectional study was performed in 702 subjects aged 11-13 years from
primary and secondary schools in Civitavecchia and Viterbo ( Latium
region in Central Italy), categorised according to how often they were
in the kitchen while the mother cooked (never, sometimes, often). Data
were collected by questionnaire and lung function was measured by
spirometric tests. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was evaluated by the
methacholine test, atopic status by a skin prick test, and a blood
sample was collected to determine serum IgE levels. The results were
analysed separately for boys and girls. Multiple regression analysis
was performed, taking functional parameters (FEV1,
FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75, FEF50,
FEF75) as the dependent variables and age, height, parental smoking, and father's education as independent variables.
RESULTSThere was no
association between time spent in the kitchen and lung function level
in boys, but a reduction in lung function was detected in girls which
was statistically significant for FEF75 (sometimes
-10.3%, often -11.1%). After stratifying boys and girls into four
groups on the basis of the IgE serum level (below and above the median
value of IgE), the reduction in lung function was significant in girls
with a high IgE value whereas no significant deleterious effects were
evident in girls with a low IgE value or in boys with either a low or
high IgE. The results remained substantially unchanged after excluding
girls with a response to methacholine below the concentration of
4 mg/ml, asthmatic patients, and those with positive skin prick tests.
CONCLUSIONGas cooking
has a harmful effect on the lung function of girls with a high serum
level of IgE. We do not know whether serum IgE, a marker of allergic
susceptibility, is a simple indicator that an inflammatory process is
in progress or whether it is involved in the pathogenesis of injury
leading to bronchial obstruction.
Keywords: gas stoves; lung function; adolescents; IgE
© 2001 by Thorax
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