Because total IgE levels in men were affected by current smoking or a history of asthma, we tested this association in the subgroups of men who were not currently smoking (1029 men: 76.9% of all men in the cohort) and of men without a history of asthma (1150 men: 85.9% of all men in the cohort). The gene discussed is IGHE; the disease is asthma.