Effect of 17q21 Variants and Smoking Exposure in Early-Onset Asthma

Abstract

This study shows that the increased risk of asthma conferred by 17q21 genetic variants is restricted to early-onset asthma and that the risk is further increased by early-life exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. These findings provide a greater understanding of the functional role of the 17q21 variants in the pathophysiology of asthma.