Asking the right questions to ascertain early childhood secondhand smoke exposures.

Risk factors for symptom onset in PI*Z alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

BACKGROUND In an early study of highly symptomatic patients with PI*Z alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT), tobacco smoking was identified as a risk factor by comparing the age of symptom onset in smokers and nonsmokers. Age of symptom onset has not been well studied in relationship to other environmental exposures. METHODS Environmental exposures were assessed in 313 PI*Z adults through retr...

A cross-sectional study of secondhand smoke exposure and respiratory symptoms in non-current smokers in the U.S. trucking industry: SHS exposure and respiratory symptoms

BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested associations of adult exposures to secondhand smoke (SHS) with respiratory symptoms, but no study has focused on blue-collar industrial environments. We assessed the association between SHS and respiratory symptoms in 1,562 non-current smoking U.S. trucking industry workers. METHODS Information on SHS exposure and respiratory health was obtained by q...

Risk of spontaneous abortion in women with childhood exposure to parental cigarette smoke.

There is increasing concern over whether environmental exposures early in life may impact health in adulthood. Recent evidence suggests that prenatal or childhood exposure to cigarette smoke may result in poorer reproductive health later in life. Among 2,162 nonsmoking women recruited from three Boston, Massachusetts, clinics who underwent assisted reproductive treatments between 1994 and 2003,...

Is there an impact of public smoking bans on self-reported smoking status and exposure to secondhand smoke?

BACKGROUND Implementation of smoke free policies has potentially substantial effects on health by reducing secondhand smoke exposure. However little is known about whether the introduction of anti-smoking legislation translates into decreased secondhand smoke exposure. We examined whether smoking bans impact rates of secondhand smoke exposure in public places and rates of complete workplace smo...

Are We Asking All the Right Questions About Quality of Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries?