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PURPOSE: In Asia, moderate alcohol users have better lung function. Never users have more inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) alleles (A) potentially generating confounding because inactive alleles may increase acetaldehyde exposure and reduce lung function. METHODS: We examined the association of ALDH2 genotypes with percentage predicted lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second; forced vital capacity) for age, sex, and height among 5641 older Chinese using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: ALDH2 genotypes were associated with alcohol use and height but not other attributes. Inactive alleles were inversely associated with lung function (percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second -1.52%, 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.52% to -0.51% for one inactive allele and -2.05%, 95% CI, -3.85% to -0.26% for two inactive alleles compared with two active alleles; and for percentage predicted forced vital capacity -1.25%, 95% CI -2.15% to -0.35% and -1.65%, 95% CI, -3.25% to -0.04%). The association of moderate use with lung function was attenuated after adjusting for ALDH2, in addition to other potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Previous findings in Chinese may be confounded by ALDH2. High frequency of inactive ALDH2 alleles in East Asia may exacerbate the effect of environmental acetaldehyde exposure on lung function and potentially on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.annepidem.2014.05.015

Type

Journal article

Journal

Ann Epidemiol

Publication Date

08/2014

Volume

24

Pages

606 - 611

Keywords

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, Lung function, Southern Chinese, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Alcohol Drinking, Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial, Alleles, Asian Continental Ancestry Group, Body Height, China, Cohort Studies, Confounding Factors (Epidemiology), Female, Forced Expiratory Volume, Genotype, Humans, Life Style, Linear Models, Lung, Male, Middle Aged, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Risk Factors, Sex Distribution, Smoking, Socioeconomic Factors, Vital Capacity