Household Exposures, Glutathione S-Transferase Genes and Asthma Risk in Middle-Age

Background/Aim Household exposures may induce lung oxidative stress and increase asthma risk. This risk may be modified by variants of Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) genes. We aimed to determine whether household exposures influenced asthma risk in middle-aged adults and whether this was modified by GST genes.Methods We used data from the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study, which followed the whole population of Tasmanian 7 year olds from 1968 until their 6th decade (aged 53 years). Information from 3314 participants about consistent household exposures (heating, cooking, mould, carpets, pets, smoking) and asthma were obtained by questionnaires at ages 45 and 53. GST genes (GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1) were typed on blood samples collected at age 45. Multivariable logistic regression estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between consistent household exposures (over 8 years) and current asthma at 53 years (asthma symptoms or medication in last 12 months) (N=3314) an...