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Jareebi MA, Alqassim AY, Almraysi SA, Alfaifi WA, Masri TA, Alaki RS, Qawfashi WM, Nehari KI, Hakami SB, Gosadi IM, Muaddi MA, Alharbi AA, Makeen AM, Salih SMA, Masmali AA. Exploring the Relationship Between Bakhour Use and Respiratory Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia. Int J Gen Med 2024; 17:2833-2845. [PMID: 38947566 PMCID: PMC11213527 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s461772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Despite deep cultural traditions, incense burning significantly impacts respiratory health. Effects of Arabian bakhour remain unknown in Saudi Arabia's Jazan region with prevalent use. This cross-sectional study addresses this gap by investigating bakhour exposure and respiratory diseases. Methods This was descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Jazan area, Saudi Arabia, from October 2023 to March 2024. A total of 1612 participants age more than 18 years, both gender and resident of Jazan Area were included. Those aged less than 18 years were excluded. SPSS v 26 was used for data analysis. Results The sample (n=1612) had a mean age of 29±11 years and was 63% female. Bakhour use was nearly universal (98%), especially using coal (73%). Higher bakhour frequency significantly associated with increased cough (p<0.01) and dyspnea (p<0.01). Certain bakhour types linked to greater allergic rhinitis prevalence (p<0.01). Regression analysis revealed cough during bakhour use worsened respiratory health (increased respiratory score) by 3.89 times (95% CI 1.13-6.64; p=0.006) while dyspnea increased the score by 7.48 times (95% CI 4.70-10.25; p<0.001). Conclusion This study provides valuable insights into the association between Bakhour use and respiratory health in the Jazan region. The findings emphasize the need for further research and public health interventions to mitigate potential respiratory risks associated with Bakhour use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A Jareebi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Y Alqassim
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saja A Almraysi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Weaam A Alfaifi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Taif A Masri
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rana S Alaki
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wasan M Qawfashi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Sawsan B Hakami
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim M Gosadi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A Muaddi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah A Alharbi
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Anwar M Makeen
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah M A Salih
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Abdullah Masmali
- Department of Jazan Health Affairs, King Fahd Central Hospital, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
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Muddaluru V, Valenta R, Vrtala S, Schlederer T, Hindley J, Hickey P, Larché M, Tonti E. Comparison of house dust mite sensitization profiles in allergic adults from Canada, Europe, South Africa and USA. Allergy 2021; 76:2177-2188. [PMID: 33484161 DOI: 10.1111/all.14749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sensitization to house dust mite (HDM) is a leading cause of allergic rhinitis and asthma. Despite more than 30 HDM-derived allergens having been identified to date, specific therapeutic approaches do not yet take into account the local sensitization profiles of patients. This study aimed to identify patterns of HDM sensitization in HDM-allergic adults living in distinct geographic areas, to inform the development of targeted diagnostic and therapeutic tools. METHODS Serum samples from 685 HDM-allergic subjects from Canada, Europe, South Africa, and the USA were tested for levels of IgE specific for 17 micro-arrayed HDM allergens by ImmunoCAP Immuno Solid-phase Allergen Chip (ISAC) technology. RESULTS The results confirmed significant geographical variability in sensitization patterns and levels of IgE. In all areas, the major sensitizers were the group 1 and group 2 allergens and Der p 23. Der p 23 was a frequent sensitizer: 64% of the subjects had IgE specific for Der p 23, and 2.3% were monosensitized to it. In South Africa, Der p 23 was the dominant HDM allergen (86% prevalence) and Der p 7 achieved major allergen status (56%). IgE sensitization to HDM was influenced by asthmatic status, levels of allergen exposure, age, race-ethnicity and smoking status, but not by BMI. CONCLUSION Sensitization profiles to HDM allergens differ considerably among distinct geographic areas, with Der p 7 and Der p 23 being major sensitizers in South Africa. Such heterogeneity should be taken into account in the diagnosis and treatment of HDM-allergic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Muddaluru
- Clinical Immunology & Allergy Division Department of Medicine McMaster University Hamilton ON Canada
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Division of Immunopathology Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
- NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia Moscow Russia
- Laboratory for Immunopathology Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University Moscow Russia
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences Krems Austria
| | - Susanne Vrtala
- Division of Immunopathology Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Thomas Schlederer
- Division of Immunopathology Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
- Phadia Austria GmbHPart of Thermo Fisher Scientific ImmunoDiagnostics Vienna Austria
| | | | - Pascal Hickey
- Adiga Life Sciences Inc. Hamilton ON Canada
- Aravax Pty Ltd Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Mark Larché
- Clinical Immunology & Allergy Division Department of Medicine McMaster University Hamilton ON Canada
- Firestone Institute of Respiratory HealthThe Research Institute at St. Joe's, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton Hamilton ON Canada
- McMaster Immunology Research Institute McMaster University Hamilton ON Canada
| | - Elena Tonti
- Clinical Immunology & Allergy Division Department of Medicine McMaster University Hamilton ON Canada
- Adiga Life Sciences Inc. Hamilton ON Canada
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Zhang HL, Wang BY, Luo Y, Li Y, Cai CS, Huang LL, He BH, Cai J, Li ZY, Mai AD, Guo Y. Association of pet-keeping in home with self-reported asthma and asthma-related symptoms in 11611 school children from China. J Asthma 2020; 58:1555-1564. [PMID: 32985283 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2020.1818772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the associations between domestic pets and respiratory health in children. METHODS We randomly recruited 11,611 school children from Zhongshan, a southern city in China. Information about the respiratory symptoms and disease history of the recruited children, the status of domestic pets, and other related risk factors were collected from March to July 2016. RESULTS We identified cat-keeping at home increases the risk of persistent cough (OR, 1.77; 95%CI, 1.03-3.05); poultry-keeping at home increases the risk of current asthma (OR, 3.87; 95%CI, 1.08-13.92) and allergic rhinitis (OR, 1.84; 95%CI, 1.01-3.37); sleeping with pets increases the risk of persistent phlegm (OR, 5.04; 95%CI, 1.05-24.28), doctor-diagnosed asthma (OR, 3.35; 95%CI, 1.31-8.57) and current asthma (OR, 4.94; 95%CI, 1.05-23.31) in children. CONCLUSIONS Cat-keeping and molds on the wall of the house had the multiplicative and additive interaction in doctor-diagnosed asthma. In conclusion, pet-keeping increased the risk of respiratory symptoms in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Ling Zhang
- Zhongshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bo-Yuan Wang
- Zhongshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yun Luo
- Zhongshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yu Li
- Zhongshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chun-Sheng Cai
- Zhongshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Li-Li Huang
- Zhongshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bin-Hong He
- Zhongshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jian Cai
- Zhongshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zi-Ying Li
- Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ai-Die Mai
- Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yan Guo
- Zhongshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China
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Abstract
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by immune-mediated inflammation of the nasal mucosal lining. Although this chronic disease is not fatal, it is associated with many debilitating symptoms. Like many other chronic diseases, AR has a wide range of clinical aspects, and comorbidities such as asthma, rhinosinusitis, dermatitis, and conjunctivitis may accompany the disease to different degrees. These comorbidities and features determine the clinical phenotypes of AR. Different phenotypes and other characteristics of AR are discussed in this review. It is important for clinicians to be aware of these variable clinical phenotypes of AR to diagnose and treat the disease properly.
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Bertelsen RJ, Instanes C, Granum B, Lødrup Carlsen KC, Hetland G, Carlsen KH, Mowinckel P, Løvik M. Gender differences in indoor allergen exposure and association with current rhinitis. Clin Exp Allergy 2010; 40:1388-97. [PMID: 20545709 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2010.03543.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differences between boys and girls in allergic manifestations are well known, and this difference is possibly not attributed to physiological differences alone. OBJECTIVE We, therefore, investigated whether boys and girls could be exposed to different allergen levels at home and whether indoor allergen levels could be differently associated with rhinitis in boys and girls at 10 years of age. METHODS Cat, dog and house dust mite (HDM) allergen levels in mattress dust and interview data regarding current allergic disease were available for 797 10-year-old children (360 girls) in The Environment and Childhood Asthma Study in Oslo. RESULTS Girls had higher concentrations of cat and dog allergens in their mattresses compared with boys, also in homes without cats [geometric mean 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 0.37 (0.31, 0.44) for girls and 0.26 (0.23, 0.30) microg cat allergen/g dust for boys, P=0.002], and without dogs [girls: 0.74 (0.63, 0.86) and boys: 0.55 (0.48, 0.62) microg dog allergen/g dust, P=0.003]. No difference was observed for HDM allergen (Der p 1) levels. Of the 190 (23.8%) children reporting current rhinitis, 144 (75.8%) were sensitized to at least one allergen. The adjusted odds ratio for current rhinitis increased with 1.20 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.42) per 1 microg/g dust increase in Der p 1 for girls (P=0.037), but not for boys (P=0.91). CONCLUSION Girls had higher levels of cat and dog allergens in mattress dust compared with boys, whereas no difference was observed for Der p 1 allergen. Nevertheless, only increasing levels of Der p 1 and not cat and dog allergens significantly increased the risk of current rhinitis in girls, whereas no significant association was observed for boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Bertelsen
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Division of Environmental Medicine, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Nydalen, Oslo, Norway.
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Bertelsen RJ, Carlsen KCL, Granum B, Carlsen KH, Håland G, Devulapalli CS, Munthe-Kaas MC, Mowinckel P, Løvik M. Do allergic families avoid keeping furry pets? INDOOR AIR 2010; 20:187-195. [PMID: 20158528 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2009.00640.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Studies addressing the relationship between pet keeping and development of asthma and allergies may be influenced by pet avoidance in families with a history of allergic disease. Following a cohort of 1019 children in Oslo till 10 years of age, we studied the association of pet keeping with socio-economic factors and allergic disease in the family. A family history of asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis was not significantly associated with pet ownership at birth or with pet removal by 10 years. Acquiring cats and dogs was less likely if the child had allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, whereas no association was seen with asthma (in any family member). Single parenthood increased the likelihood of acquiring a cat, smoking parents more often had cats or dogs, and having older siblings was associated with keeping dogs and other furry pets. Among 319 families reporting pet avoidance, 70% never had pets, 8% had given up pets, and 22% avoided a particular type of pet only. Twenty-four per cent of the parents failed to retrospectively report pet keeping during the child's first year of life. Overall, allergic rhinitis, but not asthma was associated with actual pet avoidance, whereas the strongest predictors for keeping pets were found to be socio-economic factors. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Allergic disease in a child most often does not lead to the removal of the family's furry pet. Pet avoidance is associated with allergic symptoms, but not asthma. Socio-economic factors like parental education, single parenthood and smoking affects the families' decisions on pet keeping, including the type of pets the families will avoid or acquire. The large recall error demonstrated points to the need for prospective data regarding pet keeping.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Bertelsen
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Division of Environmental Medicine, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Nydalen, Oslo, Norway.
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Safe Control of Pest and Pet Asthma Triggers. J Nurse Pract 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nurpra.2009.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Tovey ER, Almqvist C, Li Q, Crisafulli D, Marks GB. Nonlinear relationship of mite allergen exposure to mite sensitization and asthma in a birth cohort. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2008; 122:114-8, 118.e1-5. [PMID: 18602569 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2008.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2007] [Revised: 05/09/2008] [Accepted: 05/12/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is uncertainty about the nature of the relationship between mite allergen exposure during infancy and the expression of allergic diseases in childhood. OBJECTIVE We sought to explore the relationships between repeated measurements of mite allergen exposure during the first 5 years of life and clinical allergic disease outcomes at age 5 years. METHODS In a birth cohort of 516 at-risk children, 13 bed dust samples were collected between birth and 5 years of age and analyzed for mite allergen. At age 5 years, the presence of mite atopy was assessed based on skin prick test results, and clinical assessments for asthma, eczema, and wheeze were conducted. The association of allergen exposure with each clinical outcome was examined by means of logistic regression, with adjustments for potential confounders. RESULTS The lowest and highest mite exposure quintiles, expressed as mean allergen concentration averaged over 0 to 5 years, were associated with a lower prevalence of mite atopy and of asthma compared with intermediate levels of exposure. These relationships, when determined by using average allergen concentration over 0 to 18 months, were weaker. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates a nonlinear relationship between mite allergen exposure and clinical outcomes in this generally high mite allergen environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euan R Tovey
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia.
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9
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Abstract
The systematic avoidance of indoor allergens by modification of houses, furnishings, or hygiene practices has long been advocated to reduce both the incidence of allergic diseases in at-risk infants and exacerbations or symptoms in those previously sensitized with such a disease. However, such advocacy is now under challenge, due to both a lack of evidence of clinical efficacy of avoidance measures and rapidly changing models of disease causation and pathology. This article reviews the current dilemmas in understanding the complexity of allergen sources, disease risks, nature of bioaerosol exposure, and the inadequacies of many available methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euan R Tovey
- University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
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10
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Guzman A, Tonelli LH, Roberts D, Stiller JW, Jackson MA, Soriano JJ, Yousufi S, Rohan KJ, Komarow H, Postolache TT. Mood-worsening with high-pollen-counts and seasonality: a preliminary report. J Affect Disord 2007; 101:269-74. [PMID: 17222915 PMCID: PMC1949487 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2006.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2006] [Revised: 11/09/2006] [Accepted: 11/28/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because aeroallergens produce inflammation in the respiratory airways, and inflammation triggers depression in vulnerable individuals, we hypothesized that mood sensitivity to pollen, the most seasonal aeroallergen, will be associated with a greater seasonality of mood. Since pollen is absent during winter, we specifically predicted that mood sensitivity to tree pollen will predict non-winter SAD but not winter SAD. METHODS A convenience sample of African and African American college students who lived in the Washington DC metropolitan area for at least the past 3 years completed the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), from which the Global Seasonality Score (GSS) was calculated, a diagnosis of cumulative SAD (syndromal or subsyndromal SAD) was derived, a seasonal pattern (winter vs non-winter) identified, and self-reported mood changes during high pollen counts obtained. A Mann-Whitney test was used to compare GSS between participants with vs without mood worsening during high pollen counts. The capability of mood worsening with high pollen counts, gender, ethnicity, and age to predict non-winter SAD was analyzed with logistic regressions. RESULTS GSS was greater (z=5.232, p<0.001) in those who reported mood worsening with high pollen counts. Mood sensitivity to pollen predicted non-winter SAD (p=0.017), but not winter SAD. LIMITATIONS The SPAQ is not a definitive tool to assess seasonality, and self-reported mood worsening with high pollen counts relies on recollection. No direct measures of depression scores or pollen counts were collected. The non-winter SAD concept has not been previously established. CONCLUSIONS Our study, which should be considered preliminary in light of its limitations, suggests that self-reported mood-worsening with high pollen count is associated with a greater seasonality of mood, and predicts SAD of non-winter type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Guzman
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Tamay Z, Akcay A, Ones U, Guler N, Kilic G, Zencir M. Prevalence and risk factors for allergic rhinitis in primary school children. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2007; 71:463-71. [PMID: 17166597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2006.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2006] [Revised: 11/15/2006] [Accepted: 11/17/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Allergic rhinitis is a common chronic illness of childhood. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of allergic rhinitis in 6-12-year-old schoolchildren in Istanbul. METHODS A total of 2500 children aged between 6 and 12 years in randomly selected six primary schools of Istanbul were surveyed by using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire between April and May 2004. RESULTS Of them 2387 (1185 M/1202 F) questionnaires were appropriately completed by the parents with an overall response of 95.4%. The prevalence of physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis was 7.9% (n=189). A family history of atopy (aOR=1.30, 95% CI=1.00-1.68), frequent respiratory tract infection (aOR=1.36, 95% CI=1.08-1.70) and sinusitis (aOR=2.29, 95% CI=1.64-3.19), antibiotic use in the first year of life (aOR=1.26, 95% CI=1.01-1.57), cat at home in the first year of life (aOR=2.21, 95% CI=1.36-3.61), dampness at home (aOR=1.31, 95% CI=1.04-1.65) and perianal redness (aOR=1.26, 95% CI=1.01-1.57) were significant for increased risk for allergic rhinitis. Frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables were inversely, and frequent consumption of lollipops and candies were positively associated with allergic rhinitis symptoms. CONCLUSION Our study reconfirmed that family history of atopy, frequent respiratory tract infections, antibiotics given in the first year of life, cat at home in the first year of life, dampness at home, perianal redness and dietary habits are important independent risk factors for AR. Researchers worldwide should be focused to these factors and try to develop policies for early intervention, primary and secondary preventions for allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Tamay
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Chest Diseases, Istanbul School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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12
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Rastogi D, Reddy M, Neugebauer R. Comparison of patterns of allergen sensitization among inner-city Hispanic and African American children with asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2007; 97:636-42. [PMID: 17165272 DOI: 10.1016/s1081-1206(10)61093-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among Hispanics, the largest minority ethnic group in the United States, asthma prevalence is increasing, particularly in inner-city neighborhoods. Although allergen sensitization among asthmatic African Americans has been extensively studied, similar details are not available for Hispanic children. OBJECTIVES To examine patterns of allergen sensitization, including the association with illness severity, in asthmatic children overall and in Hispanic and African American children living in a socioeconomically disadvantaged area of New York City. METHODS A retrospective medical record review of asthmatic children attending a community hospital in the South Bronx area of New York City was performed. Information abstracted included demographics, asthma severity classification, reported exposures to indoor allergens, and results of allergy testing. RESULTS Among 384 children in the analysis, 270 (70.3%) were Hispanic and 114 (29.7%) were African American. Sensitization to indoor and outdoor allergens, respectively, did not differ between Hispanic (58.5% and 27.0%) and African American (58.8% and 32.6%) children. Allergen sensitization exhibited a direct, significant association with asthma severity for indoor allergens for the 2 ethnic groups combined and for Hispanics separately but not between asthma severity and outdoor allergens (P < .01). No correlation was found between self-reported allergen exposure and sensitization. CONCLUSIONS Patterns of allergen sensitization among inner-city Hispanic asthmatic children resemble those among African American children, a finding that is likely explained by the similarity in levels of environmental exposures. With the increasing prevalence of asthma among inner-city Hispanic children, skin testing should be used frequently for objective evaluation of asthma in this ethnic group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepa Rastogi
- Department of Pediatrics, Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10467, USA.
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