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Jalasto J, Lassmann-Klee P, Schyllert C, Luukkonen R, Meren M, Larsson M, Põlluste J, Sundblad BM, Lindqvist A, Krokstad S, Kankaanranta H, Kauppi P, Sovijärvi A, Haahtela T, Backman H, Lundbäck B, Piirilä P. Occupation, socioeconomic status and chronic obstructive respiratory diseases - The EpiLung study in Finland, Estonia and Sweden. Respir Med 2021; 191:106403. [PMID: 33994287 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study occupational groups and occupational exposure in association with chronic obstructive respiratory diseases. METHODS In early 2000s, structured interviews on chronic respiratory diseases and measurements of lung function as well as fractional expiratory nitric oxide (FENO) were performed in adult random population samples of Finland, Sweden and Estonia. Occupations were categorized according to three classification systems. Occupational exposure to vapours, gases, dusts and fumes (VGDF) was assessed by a Job-Exposure Matrix (JEM). The data from the countries were combined. RESULTS COPD, smoking and occupational exposure were most common in Estonia, while asthma and occupations requiring higher educational levels in Sweden and Finland. In an adjusted regression model, non-manual workers had a three-fold risk for physician-diagnosed asthma (OR 3.18, 95%CI 1.07-9.47) compared to professionals and executives, and the risk was two-fold for healthcare & social workers (OR 2.28, 95%CI 1.14-4.59) compared to administration and sales. An increased risk for physician-diagnosed COPD was seen in manual workers, regardless of classification system, but in contrast to asthma, the risk was mostly explained by smoking and less by occupational exposure to VGDF. For FENO, no associations with occupation were observed. CONCLUSIONS In this multicenter study from Finland, Sweden and Estonia, COPD was consistently associated with manual occupations with high smoking prevalence, highlighting the need to control for tobacco smoking in studies on occupational associations. In contrast, asthma tended to associate with non-manual occupations requiring higher educational levels. The occupational associations with asthma were not driven by eosinophilic inflammation presented by increased FENO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juuso Jalasto
- Department of Clinical Physiology, HUS Medical Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Paul Lassmann-Klee
- Department of Clinical Physiology, HUS Medical Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Christian Schyllert
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, The OLIN Unit, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Mari Meren
- National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia and North Estonia Medical Centre Foundation, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Matz Larsson
- Clinical Health Promotion Centre, University of Lund, and Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Jaak Põlluste
- National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia and North Estonia Medical Centre Foundation, Tallinn, Estonia
| | | | - Ari Lindqvist
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital and Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Steinar Krokstad
- HUNT Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
| | - Hannu Kankaanranta
- Krefting Research Centre, Institute of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Seinäjoki Central Hospital, Seinäjoki, Finland; Tampere University Respiratory Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Paula Kauppi
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital and Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anssi Sovijärvi
- Department of Clinical Physiology, HUS Medical Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Helena Backman
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, The OLIN Unit, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Department of Health Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Bo Lundbäck
- Krefting Research Centre, Institute of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Päivi Piirilä
- Department of Clinical Physiology, HUS Medical Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Haarala AK, Sinikumpu SP, Vaaramo E, Jokelainen J, Timonen M, Auvinen J, Pekkanen J, Lampi J, Huilaja L. Incidence and remission of aeroallergen sensitization in adults in Northern Finland: 15 years longitudinal study. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4249. [PMID: 33608620 PMCID: PMC7895822 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83326-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies on the longitudinal changes in sensitization to aeroallergens in adult populations are sparse. The aim was to evaluate changes in sensitization to aeroallergens [birch, timothy, cat and house dust mite (HDM)] in an unselected adult population aged from 31 to 46 years. Data were gathered from a cohort of adults (Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966) who had been skin prick tested (SPT) with birch, timothy, cat and HDM allergens at the age of 31 years and at age 46 (n = 5484 and 5373 respectively). Data from both time points were available for 3409 participants, who made up the cohort of the longitudinal study. The overall prevalence of sensitization to any of the selected allergens was 30.3% (n = 1661) in 31-year-olds and 30.7% (n = 1649) in 46-year-olds. In general, men were more sensitized (P < 0.001) and also had more polysensitization (P < 0.001) compared to women. In longitudinal sub-population incidence of sensitization was 7.1%. Birch was the most prevalent new sensitizer, however, the difference was not statistically significant when compared to cat. We conclude that new sensitization, demonstrated by positive findings in SPT, can still occur in middle age and this should be taken into account when managing allergic manifestations in adults as sensitization can be considered the first step in developing clinical allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Karoliina Haarala
- PEDEGO Research Unit, PEDEGO Research Group, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Oulu and Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Aapistie 5A, 90029, Oulu, Finland
| | - Suvi-Päivikki Sinikumpu
- PEDEGO Research Unit, PEDEGO Research Group, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Oulu and Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Aapistie 5A, 90029, Oulu, Finland
| | - Eeva Vaaramo
- Infrastructure for Population Studies, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Jari Jokelainen
- Infrastructure for Population Studies, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Markku Timonen
- Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Juha Auvinen
- Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Juha Pekkanen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Lampi
- Department of Health Security, Environmental Health, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Laura Huilaja
- PEDEGO Research Unit, PEDEGO Research Group, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Oulu and Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Aapistie 5A, 90029, Oulu, Finland.
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Pallasaho P, Kainu A, Juusela M, Meren M, Sovijärvi A. High prevalence of rhinitis symptoms without allergic sensitization in Estonia and Finland. Eur Clin Respir J 2015; 2:25401. [PMID: 26557256 PMCID: PMC4629761 DOI: 10.3402/ecrj.v2.25401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Allergic rhinitis and atopy are more common in urban than rural environments. Non-allergic rhinitis has not been studied to a great extent. We aimed to assess the relationship of rhinitis symptoms with different profiles of allergic sensitization, comparing this in rural and urban environments. METHODS The study population consisted of population-based cohorts of adults aged 26-60 from Helsinki, Finland, and rural Saaremaa and urban Tallinn, Estonia. We compared the results of a structured interview and skin prick tests and assessed the risk factors for rhinitis. RESULTS The prevalence of rhinitis symptoms with atopy was 32.7% in Helsinki, 20.8% in Tallinn, and 12.5% in Saaremaa (p<0.001). Rhinitis symptoms without atopy were found in 26.4%, 29.8%, and 29.3% (p=n.s.), respectively. In Helsinki, 87.3% of participants with atopy identified symptoms as allergic, compared to 57.0% in Tallinn and 47.5% in Saaremaa. Childhood in the countryside (OR 0.63), family history of allergic rhinitis (OR 1.89), and polysensitization (OR 15.99) were significantly associated with rhinitis symptoms with atopy in a multivariate logistic regression model. The most common sensitizers were pollens and animals in Helsinki and mites in Estonia. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (OR 1.50) and family history of allergic rhinitis (OR 1.70) were associated with rhinitis symptoms without atopy. CONCLUSION Rhinitis symptoms without allergic sensitization were common in both Finland and Estonia and were associated with environmental tobacco smoke. Family history of allergic rhinitis predisposed to rhinitis symptoms irrespective of atopy status.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annette Kainu
- HUCH Heart and Lung Center, Peijas Hospital, Helsinki, Finland ; University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Vantaa, Finland
| | - Maria Juusela
- Division of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory Department, Jorvi Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Espoo, Finland
| | - Mari Meren
- Department of Pulmonology, North Estonia Medical Centre Foundation, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Anssi Sovijärvi
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, HUCH Medical Imaging Center, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Lâm HT, Ekerljung L, Bjerg A, Văn T Tng N, Lundbäck B, Rönmark E. Sensitization to airborne allergens among adults and its impact on allergic symptoms: a population survey in northern Vietnam. Clin Transl Allergy 2014; 4:6. [PMID: 24512828 PMCID: PMC3923743 DOI: 10.1186/2045-7022-4-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The knowledge about allergic sensitization and its relationship with clinical symptoms and diseases among adults in South-East Asia is poor. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and pattern of allergic sensitization and the association with asthma and allergic rhinitis in adults in urban and rural Vietnam. Methods Among 5,782 responders to a questionnaire survey in northern Vietnam, a random sample was invited to a clinical follow-up and 684 (46%) participated. The methods included a structured interview using a modified GA2LEN study questionnaire on symptoms and possible determinants for diseases. Skin prick test (SPT) with ten common airborne indoor and outdoor allergens, lung function test, and methacholine test was performed among subjects ≤60 years of age. Results In total, one third of subjects had a positive SPT reaction to at least one allergen, 36.9% of men and 31.0% of women (n.s.). The most common sensitizer was the storage mite B. tropicalis (men 27.7%; women 18.7%) followed by house dust mite D. pteronyssinus (men 16.5%; women 10.6%), and D. farinae (men 15.3%; women 6.3%), and cockroach (men 16.5%; women 10.2%). Sensitization to all major allergens were significantly more common among men and among subjects ≤45 years compared with women and subjects >45 years, respectively. The prevalence of sensitization to animals, pollen and molds were low. The majority of cockroach-sensitized subjects were also sensitized to mites. Sensitization to any allergen and all major allergens were significantly associated with rhinitis, but not with asthma. However, bronchial hyper-reactivity was significantly associated with increasing number of positive SPTs (p = 0.047). Conclusions Among adults in northern Vietnam sensitization to mite and cockroach most common in both rural and urban areas. The dominant sensitizer was the storage mite B. tropicalis, which should be included in future studies and also in clinical practice, owing to its association with clinical symptoms. As in the Western world allergic sensitization was associated with rhinitis and bronchial hyper-reactivity. The lack of association with asthma in South-East Asia needs to be studied further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoàng Thị Lâm
- Department of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
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Almaliotis D, Michailopoulos P, Gioulekas D, Giouleka P, Papakosta D, Siempis T, Karampatakis V. Allergic conjunctivitis and the most common allergens in Northern Greece. World Allergy Organ J 2013; 6:12. [PMID: 23866689 PMCID: PMC3726364 DOI: 10.1186/1939-4551-6-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ocular allergies affect a great part of the general population and often co exist with other allergic manifestations. In the present study, the prevalence of allergic conjunctivitis and the commonest allergens in allergic patients at an outpatient unit in Thessaloniki, Greece were evaluated. Methods This is a retrospective study regarding allergic patients who referred to an outpatient clinic between the 1st of January of 1996 and the 31st of December 2010. They completed relative questionnaires concerning their allergic condition. The patients who were included in our study had allergic conjunctivitis confirmed by ophthalmologists and were divided into 4 groups. The criteria used were the existence of allergic conjunctivitis alone or with other allergic co- morbidities. The patients then underwent skin prick tests after consent according to current guidelines. Results The archives of 1239 allergic patients were evaluated and 497 patients (40,11%) who manifested eye allergic symptoms were included in our study. 448 patients (90.14%) had allergic conjunctivitis in conjunction with asthma or rhinitis or both. 370 patients underwent skin prick tests and 284 of them (124 males-160 females) were positive for at least 1 of the 8 tested allergens (76.75%). 166 were positive to a grass mix (58.45%), 130 to olea European (45.77%), 124 to dust mites mix (43.66%), 58 to cypress (20.42%), 71 to parietaria officinalis (25.00%), 67 to cat dander (23.59%), 35 to dog dander (12.32%) and 32 to Altenaria (11.26%). Conclusions Symptoms of ocular allergy are very common in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma. Men had slightly higher percentages of positive skin prick tests, except for dog dander and Altenaria. Conjunctivitis should not be overlooked as an allergic entity when evaluating allergic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diamantis Almaliotis
- Laboratory of Experimental Opthalmology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece.
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Eriksson J, Ekerljung L, Sundblad BM, Lötvall J, Torén K, Rönmark E, Larsson K, Lundbäck B. Cigarette smoking is associated with high prevalence of chronic rhinitis and low prevalence of allergic rhinitis in men. Allergy 2013; 68:347-54. [PMID: 23346908 DOI: 10.1111/all.12095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The harmful effects of tobacco smoke on human health, including respiratory health, are extensive and well documented. Previous data on the effect of smoking on rhinitis and allergic sensitization are inconsistent. We sought to investigate how smoking correlates with prevalence of allergic and chronic rhinitis among adults in Sweden. METHODS The study population comprised 27 879 subjects derived from three large randomly selected cross-sectional population surveys conducted in Sweden between 2006 and 2008. The same postal questionnaire on respiratory health was used in the three surveys, containing questions about obstructive respiratory diseases, rhinitis, respiratory symptoms and possible determinants of disease, including smoking habits. A random sample from one of the cohorts underwent a clinical examination including skin prick testing. RESULTS Smoking was associated with a high prevalence of chronic rhinitis in both men and women and a low prevalence of allergic rhinitis in men. These associations were dose dependent and remained when adjusted for a number of possible confounders in multiple logistic regression analysis. Prevalence of chronic rhinitis was lowest in nonsmokers and highest in very heavy smokers (18.5% vs 34.5%, P < 0.001). Prevalence of sensitization to common airborne allergens was lower in current smokers (25.9%, P = 0.008) and ex-smokers (28.2%, P = 0.022) than in nonsmokers (38.5%). CONCLUSION We found that smoking was associated with a high prevalence of chronic rhinitis in both sexes and a low prevalence of allergic rhinitis in men. The associations were dose dependent and remained when adjusting for several possible confounders.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Eriksson
- Krefting Research Centre / Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition; Institute of Medicine; Sahlgrenska Academy; University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg; Sweden
| | - L. Ekerljung
- Krefting Research Centre / Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition; Institute of Medicine; Sahlgrenska Academy; University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg; Sweden
| | - B.-M. Sundblad
- Lung and Allergy Research; National Institute of Environmental Medicine; Karolinska Institute; Stockholm; Sweden
| | - J. Lötvall
- Krefting Research Centre / Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition; Institute of Medicine; Sahlgrenska Academy; University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg; Sweden
| | | | | | - K. Larsson
- Lung and Allergy Research; National Institute of Environmental Medicine; Karolinska Institute; Stockholm; Sweden
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Ekerljung L, Lundbäck B. FinEsS-Stockholm and the Stockholm adult asthma study. CLINICAL RESPIRATORY JOURNAL 2010; 2 Suppl 1:127-8. [PMID: 20298362 DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-699x.2008.00096.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Two major studies on asthma and respiratory symptoms are presently in progress in Stockholm. The FinEsS-studies has been ongoing since 1996, with a follow-up study preformed in 2006 and a new cohort selected in 2007. The FinEsS studies focus on prevalence and incidence of asthma and respiratory symptoms in a general population. Clinical follow-up surveys will also target COPD. Further aims include remission and relapse of disease and symptoms and their determinants. The Stockholm adult Asthma Study (SaAS) began in the spring of 2007 and data is being collected presently. The SaAS study focus on the medical care and medication given to asthmatics in Stockholm, and the study population consists of asthmatics found in the two Swedish cohort studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Ekerljung
- Department of Internal Medicine/Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Göteborg, Luleå, Sweden.
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Sex-specific differences in allergic sensitization to house dust mites: a meta-analysis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2009; 102:487-94. [PMID: 19558007 DOI: 10.1016/s1081-1206(10)60122-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of allergic airway diseases in childhood is higher in boys than in girls but switches toward a female predominance in adolescents and adults. The sex-specific prevalence of allergic sensitization to 1 of the most common allergens worldwide, house dust mite (HDM), has not been examined systematically by age group and species. OBJECTIVE To systematically review the literature to examine sex-specific differences in the prevalence of allergic sensitization to HDM. METHODS On the basis of a systematic MEDLINE search for population-based studies published between 1990 and 2007, we conducted meta-analyses of male to female ratios for sensitization to 2 different species of HDMs (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae) separately for children and adults. RESULTS We included data from 7,822 children and 18,522 adults from 15 studies. The prevalence of sensitization to D pteronyssinus was significantly higher in boys vs girls (male to female ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.71) and in men vs women (male to female ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.22-1.61). For sensitization to D farinae, the significant male predominance in adults was even more pronounced (male to female ratio, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.37-2.79), but there were no sex-specific differences in children (male to female ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.56-1.46). CONCLUSIONS In adults, the male predominance in sensitization to HDM seems to be contrary to the prevalence of allergic airway symptoms, which has a female predominance. The male predominance is even higher in allergic sensitization to D farinae than to D pteronyssinus. Further research is necessary regarding sex-specific differences in allergy and asthma.
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Stsepetova J, Sepp E, Julge K, Vaughan E, Mikelsaar M, de Vos WM. Molecularly assessed shifts of Bifidobacterium ssp. and less diverse microbial communities are characteristic of 5-year-old allergic children. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 51:260-9. [PMID: 17868362 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2007.00306.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The composition of intestinal microbiota and the Bifidobacterium group community in 20 allergic and 20 nonallergic 5-year-old children was visualized by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The number of dominant bands in the DGGE profiles was smaller in allergic children than in nonallergic children (P<0.001). Allergic children mainly formed a single group upon cluster analysis, whereas nonallergic children were divided between four different groups. In allergic children the Bifidobacterium adolescentis species prevailed, and in nonallergic children the Bifidobacterium catenulatum/pseudocatenulatum prevailed (P=0.01 and P=0.01, respectively). The less diverse composition of intestinal microbiota and prevalence of particular species of Bifidobacterium were characteristic of allergic children even at the age of 5 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Stsepetova
- Department of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
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Pallasaho P, Rönmark E, Haahtela T, Sovijärvi ARA, Lundbäck B. Degree and clinical relevance of sensitization to common allergens among adults: a population study in Helsinki, Finland. Clin Exp Allergy 2006; 36:503-9. [PMID: 16630156 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2006.02460.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to assess the prevalence of allergic sensitization and multiple sensitization, risk factors, and the clinical impact of being sensitized in the adult population of Helsinki, Finland. METHODS As a part of the FinEsS study, a population-based random sample of 498 adults aged 26-60 years were tested for 15 common aeroallergens with skin prick tests (SPTs) and interviewed on respiratory symptoms and diseases, including respiratory irritants and childhood environment. RESULTS The prevalence of at least one positive prick test was 46.9%. A large difference by age was found: 56.8% were sensitized among those aged 26-39 years, 49.2% in the age group 40-49 years, and 35.6% in the age group 50-60 years (P<0.001). Sensitization to multiple allergens was common among young subjects with 42% of the sensitized responding to at least four allergens, while this proportion was only 16% of the sensitized among those aged 50-60 years. The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR) or conjunctivitis, and wheeze increased significantly with increasing number of positive responses to SPTs. Having a family history of AR or conjunctivitis was a significant risk factor for allergic sensitization and for sensitization to any of the pollens. Further, urban living in childhood yielded an increased risk for pollen sensitization. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of allergic sensitization was high in the urban adult population of Helsinki. More than half of those aged 26-39 years was sensitized and 24% was sensitized to at least four allergens. Sensitization to multiple allergens was associated with a high prevalence of asthma, AR or conjunctivitis, and wheeze.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Pallasaho
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
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Larsson ML, Magnuson A, Montgomery SM. Parental smoking and allergic sensitization in offspring defined by skin prick testing. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2005; 16:449-52. [PMID: 16101940 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2005.00247.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Investigations of parental smoking during childhood and allergic sensitization have produced contradictory results, but this may be because of variations in the definition of allergy and other influences. We investigated associations of parental smoking with an objective measure of allergy, skin prick testing (SPT), and considered associations with maternal and paternal smoking, independently of each other. A stratified random sample, aged 22-74 yr, of 720 Swedish FinEsS-study members were skin prick tested for 15 allergens. Subjects with at least one positive SPT were defined as atopic. Data on childhood exposures, including parental smoking, were collected by structured interview. Logistic regression used atopy as the dependent variable. After adjustment, paternal smoking was statistically significantly associated with an increased risk and maternal smoking a non-statistically significant decreased risk in offspring, with odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) of 1.48 (1.04-2.10) and 0.73 (0.48-1.12), respectively. Analysis of families with a non-smoking mother produced an odds ratio for paternal smoking of 1.61 (1.09-2.37). The negative association between maternal smoking and atopy may not operate through passive smoke exposure and could conceal a significant increased risk associated with passive exposure to tobacco smoke in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matz L Larsson
- Department of Lung Medicine, Orebro University Hospital, S 701-85 Orebro, Sweden.
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12
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Abstract
Sensitization to pets remains a risk factor for asthma and rhinitis, and can occur in people who have never lived with a pet. Several reports have indicated that living with a pet reduces the risk for becoming sensitized to that pet. Having a pet in the home gives exposure to more than just allergens. In areas with high frequency of pet ownership, community exposure to pet allergens is almost certainly sufficient to induce sensitization among non-pet owners. In this review, we examine the results of recent studies that have investigated the relationship between pet ownership, specific sensitization to that pet, and allergic sensitization in general. For cat ownership, the results are inconsistent between studies of similar design, with some studies suggesting an increase in risk and others a decrease among cat owners. For dogs, results are more consistent, generally suggesting that owning a dog has no effect or indeed may be protective against the development of specific sensitization to dog and allergic sensitization in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Simpson
- North West Lung Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK.
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