This time, I'd like to talk about allergic rhinitis and smoking.
Do you smoke?
We all know that smoking can cause various health problems, but what about allergic rhinitis? But what about allergic rhinitis? I found a study that investigates this.
Before you read on, please consider that this is an "allergic" type of rhinitis.
What the study says
Tobacco smoke has been described as causing an increase in the prevalence of rhinitis symptoms and a decrease in atopy.
Furthermore, these nasal symptoms and quality of life of smokers with allergic rhinitis (AR) were not significantly different from non-smokers.
As a result of this duality, a comparative study between quality of life and inflammatory markers of atopy between active smokers with AR and non-smokers was proposed and thus the content of the study conducted.
A cross-sectional study of adult smokers and non-smokers with a clinical diagnosis of AR and a positive prick test (SPT) was conducted.
Smoking status was confirmed by salivary cotinine measurement.
Functional breathing assessments were performed and the Mini-RQLQ questionnaire was used to compare quality of life between groups.
Serum and immunological markers (IgE, IL-4, IL 5, IL 13, IL 17, IL 33) in nasal lavage fluid were evaluated, and samples from a third group of passive smokers were included in serological comparisons only.
Statistical analysis included Student's t-test, x2, Mann-Whitney U (Anova 2-way), and Kruskal-Wallis for 3-group analysis.
Values of P <0.05 were considered significant.
A total of 22 patients per group with similar demographics and allergen sensitivity were studied.
With regard to inflammatory markers, the decrease in IL 33 in the serum of smokers (P <0.001) was the only statistically significant different parameter revealed, indicating a significant trend in nasal washing.
Salivary cotinine levels were completely different (P <0.0001), but respiratory function assessment was not statistically significant after multiple adjustments. There were no significant differences in quality of life parameters.
In our AR study, active smokers show no nose-related reduction in quality of life or impact on atopic inflammatory parameters compared to nonsmokers.
Decreased levels of IL33 may explain the lack of symptoms that alert smokers to the harmful consequences of smoking.
Commentary
As shown in the results, there was no evidence of increased allergy sensitivity due to cigarette smoke.
The subjects showed an increase in IL17 and IgE, with a significant decrease in IL33 in smokers.
In the experiment with the rats, the function of IL33 was confirmed in the nasal mucosa, and its action was confirmed to be a defense mechanism against infectious external enemies and allergens.
In other words, they're saying that they've confirmed that one part of the immune system is functionally impaired.
Since the subject is based on animal experiments, it is unclear if the same is true for humans, but it is said that there are negative effects of smoking.
However, this effect does not seem to be an allergen caused by smoke, so it is difficult to encourage smokers to quit without understanding, right? That's what I'm talking about.
Gómez RM, Croce VH, Zernotti ME, Muiño JC. Active smoking effect in allergic rhinitis. World Allergy Organ J. 2021;14(2):100504. Published 2021 Jan 17. Published 2021 Jan 17. doi:10.1016/j.waojou.2020.100504
Conclusion
For people with allergic rhinitis, whether they are smokers or non-smokers, there is no difference in quality of life or susceptibility to atopic allergies.
However, the content of the study reported the effects of smoking on some immune functions due to the effects of smoke.
I really wish people would stop smoking on the street.
I'm probably more sensitive to smells, sounds, and light than most people, so if I'm walking along and someone starts smoking in front of me, I'm going to feel really sick.
