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. 2016 Jan 7;13(1):110.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph13010110.

A Longitudinal Study of Association between Heavy Metals and Itchy Eyes, Coughing in Chronic Cough Patients: Related with Non-Immunoglobulin E Mediated Mechanism

Thao Thi Thu Nguyen  1 , Tomomi Higashi  2 , Yasuhiro Kambayashi  3 , Enoch Olando Anyenda  4 , Yoshimasa Michigami  5 , Johsuke Hara  6 , Masaki Fujimura  7   8 , Hiromasa Tsujiguchi  9 , Masami Kitaoka  10 , Hiroki Asakura  11 , Daisuke Hori  12 , Yuri Hibino  13 , Tadashi Konoshita  14 , Hiroyuki Nakamura  15
Affiliations

A Longitudinal Study of Association between Heavy Metals and Itchy Eyes, Coughing in Chronic Cough Patients: Related with Non-Immunoglobulin E Mediated Mechanism

Thao Thi Thu Nguyen et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

The association between heavy metals exposure and respiratory diseases or allergic sensitization showing high serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) has been suggested. However, previous findings have been inconsistent and the mechanisms responsible remain unclear. We evaluated heavy metal exposure and its association with coughing, itchy eyes in chronic cough patients with different IgE levels. Ninety outpatients in Kanazawa University Hospital were recruited between January-June 2011. Subjects whose total IgE measured by radioimmunosorbent test were asked to record their daily symptoms. We collected daily total suspended particles (TSP) from which concentrations of calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) were determined then divided into high and low level groups. Generalized estimating equations were applied to compute the relationship between concentrations of these metals and symptoms. All metals at high levels were significantly associated with itchy eyes compared with low levels, with exception of Ca, the six others were significant in patients with IgE < 250 IU/mL. Cd, Fe, Mn had association with coughing (odds ratio-OR (95% confidence interval-CI): 1.13 (1.03, 1.24), 1.22 (1.05, 1.42), and 1.13 (1.01, 1.27), respectively), this relationship remained significant for Cd (OR (95% CI): 1.14 (1.03, 1.27)) and Mn (OR (95% CI): 1.15 (1.00, 1.31)) in patients with lower IgE. Our findings demonstrate the relationship between aerial heavy metals and itchy eyes, coughing in chronic cough patients, suggesting these symptoms may be due to a non-IgE mediated mechanism.

Keywords: chronic cough; coughing; heavy metals; itchy eyes; total serum IgE level.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart showing description of patients in the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Daily concentrations of heavy metals between 4 January 2011 and 30 June 2011.
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