Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #100266

Susan A. Nyanzi, DrPH¹, Jerry Lee, PhD¹, Kristian Lindsted, PhD², and Edwin Krick, MD, MPH³. (1) Dept. of Health Promotion and Education, Preventive Care, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Nicol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350, (909) 558-4575, snyanzi@adelphia.net, (2) Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Nicoll Hall Rm 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350, (3) Rheumatology, Loma Linda University, School of Medicine, 11370 Anderson Street, Suite 3100, Loma Linda, CA 92354

Objectives: To investigate potential effects of cigarette smoking on Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) and Rheumatoid Factor (RF) positivity in healthy blood donors. Methods: 583 consenting volunteer blood donors were recruited from the San Bernardino and Riverside blood banks in Southern California. Additional blood samples were collected and data from both the general blood bank questionnaire and our study questionnaire were collected. Self-administered and interview-assisted questionnaires were used to collect data on demographics, detailed smoking history and on risk factors associated with elevated ANA and RF. Chi-squared tests and logistic regression models were used to assess linear and nonlinear effects of smoking on ANA and RF positivity. Smoking was first examined as current smoking status then as lifetime exposure, expressed as pack years smoked. Only participants who fully completed both the blood bank questionnaire and our questionnaire were included in the analysis dataset. Results: A history of moderate and light lifetime smoking protected against ANA positivity relative to non-smoking and heavy smoking (OR=3.75, 95%CI=1.28-11.05, p=0.02). Simple contrasts suggested this stemmed from moderate lifetime smoking protecting against ANA positivity compared to non-smoking (OR=0.33, 95%CI=0.11-0.99, p =0.048) and heavy smoking (OR=0.17, 95% CI=0.06-0.54, p =0.003). No associations were found between current smoking status and ANA or RF positivity. Conclusion: Immunological changes induced by smoking or nicotine may help explain this biphasic association of smoking with ANA positivity.

Learning Objectives:

• To highlight the biphasic effect of cigarette smoking on two antinuclear antibodies (ANA and RF) associated with autoimmune disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis

Keywords: Public Health, Smoking

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.