[Associations between family history of allergy, exposure to tobacco smoke, active smoking, obesity, and asthma in adolescents].
OBJECTIVE
The relationships between asthma in adolescents and various environmental and social exposures needs to be clarified. The aim of this study was to determine the association between family history of allergy, passive or active tobacco smoking, obesity, and asthma in adolescents.


METHODS
A population-based case-control study was carried out. A random sample of 4003 students aged 13 to 18 years old was selected from secondary and preparatory schools in an urban area in northeastern Mexico. Data was gathered in physical examinations and with a questionnaire administered by trained staff. Two study groups were formed: a group of 253 adolescents with asthma and a control group of students without asthma.


RESULTS
Variables associated with asthma were family history of allergy (odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-2.06), passive smoking (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.18-1.99), and obesity (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.45-2.65). Female gender and active smoking were unrelated to asthma. The percentage of obese adolescents was higher in the group of asthmatics (18.2%) than in the control group (12.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
Family history of allergy, passive tobacco smoking, and obesity seem to be the main risk factors for the development of asthma in adolescents. The relationship of active smoking and asthma requires further study.
Vázquez Nava
Francisco
F
Departamento de Alergología e Inmunología, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Tampico, Tamaulipas, México. fvazqueznava@yahoo.com.mx
Saldívar González
Atenógenes H
AH
Martínez Perales
Gerardo
G
Lin Ochoa
Dolores
D
Barrientos Gómez
María Carmen
MC
Vázquez Rodríguez
Eliza Mireya
EM
Vázquez Rodríguez
Carlos Francisco
CF
Beltrán Guzmán
Francisco Javier
FJ
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution