Environmental tobacco smoke and cardiometabolic risk in young children: results from a survey in south-west Germany.
OBJECTIVE
We explored the association between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and various cardiometabolic biomarkers in 10-year-old children.


RESULTS
A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out. Data on ETS exposure and potential confounders were collected by parental questionnaire. Adiponectin, leptin, markers of inflammation, apolipoproteins (apo) AI and B, and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) were measured. Linear and logistic regression models were applied using the 90th percentile as a cut-off point except for adiponectin and apoAI (10th percentile). In linear models, ETS exposure was significantly associated with increasing plasma concentrations of leptin, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, interleukin (IL)-6, and Lp-PLA(2). When compared with none, ETS exposure of more than 10 cigarettes per day was associated with elevated concentrations of leptin (OR 6.40; 95% CI, 2.67-15.39), C-reactive protein (OR 3.17; 95% CI, 1.31-7.68), Lp-PLA(2) (OR 2.97 95% CI, 1.32-6.68), low adiponectin (OR 2.69; 95% CI, 1.10-6.57), and low apoAI (OR 4.48; 95% CI, 2.16-10.85). Increasing dose of ETS exposure was related to an increasing number of abnormal cardiometabolic markers.


CONCLUSIONS
Among children, ETS exposure was associated with a low-grade inflammatory response and altered markers of lipid metabolism, which may initiate atherosclerosis in early life. However, longitudinal studies are necessary to determine the potential causal relevance of these associations.
Nagel
Gabriele
G
Institute of Epidemiology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany. gabriele.nagel@uni-ulm.de
Arnold
Frank J
FJ
Wilhelm
Manfred
M
Link
Bernhard
B
Zoellner
Iris
I
Koenig
Wolfgang
W
D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005860:Germany, West; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D020738:Leptin / Q000378:metabolism*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*
D015415:Biomarkers; D020738:Leptin; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase