Epidemiology of immunoglobulin E levels in a defined population.
Age-adjusted geometric mean IgE levels in 621 older subjects were higher in men (26.3 kU/L) than in women (19.1 kU/L), and decreased with age. The higher levels in men were largely a result of a strong positive association with cigarette smoking. Among allergic conditions, a personal history of asthma was associated with the highest IgE levels. In multiple linear regression models in men, cigarette smoking was the single strongest correlate of IgE levels, while a personal history of allergy was the strongest correlate in women. Our results suggest important nonallergic as well as allergic determinants of IgE levels in populations.
Criqui
M H
MH
University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Community and Family Medicine.
Seibles
J A
JA
Hamburger
R N
RN
Coughlin
S S
SS
Gabriel
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000235:genetics; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking
D007073:Immunoglobulin E