The mediating effect of body mass index on the relationship between cigarette smoking and atopic sensitization in Chinese adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It is unclear whether the relationship between cigarette smoking and atopy is mediated by body fat mass, such as the Body Mass Index (BMI). We assessed the mediating role of BMI on the relationship between smoking and atopy in Chinese adults.

Methods

A hospital-based case-control study of 786 atopic cases and 2771 controls was conducted in adults aged 18 years or older from March 2010 to September 2014 in Harbin, China. Mediation models were used to estimate the indirect effects of smoking on atopic sensitization through BMI.

Results

Compared to non-smokers, light smokers and moderate smokers had a lower risk of inhalant allergen sensitization. The indirect effect of smoking and sensitization to aeroallergens were only observed in light smokers (point estim

SUBMITTER: Luo X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4377972 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature