Relationship of Serum Antioxidants to Asthma Prevalence in Youth

• DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200301-055oc
• Publication Date: 2003-11-25T01:23:19Z
• Authors: Rachel N. Rubin; Livia Navon; Patricia A. Cassano
• Keywords: Tobacco smoke; Cotinine

The relationship of serum vitamin E, beta-carotene, C, and selenium to asthma was investigated among 7,505 youth (4-16 years old) in the Third National Health Nutrition Examination Survey. Logistic regression models adjusted for potentially confounding variables, which generally had no effect on coefficients antioxidants. Serum E little or association with asthma. In separate models, a SD increase beta-carotene (odds ratio [OR], 0.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7, 1.0), C (OR, 0.8; CI, 0.9), 1.1) associated 10-20% reduction prevalence. cotinine used identify cigarette smoke exposure passive (7%): Active smokers were too few be studied further. selenium-asthma stronger who exposed (p = 0.075). A 50% prevalence 0.5; 0.2, 1.4) compared 10% exposure. findings support an antioxidants prevalent asthma, some is children smoke.