The prevalence of IgE-dependent sensitizations to selected trophoallergens and airborne allergens in the population of children and adolescents of the north-eastern region of Poland

The frequency of IgE-dependent sensitization to food and airborne allergens in the population of children and adolescents of north-eastern Poland in 1998-2012 and its relation to the age of the studied patients

Introduction

The long-term observation of the incidence of IgE-dependent sensitization to environmental allergens (food and airborne allergens) of a specific population plays an important role in epidemiological studies.

Aim

Retrospective, comparative assessment of IgE-dependent sensitization to food and airborne allergens in the group of patients from the north-eastern region of Poland, in selected years (1998, 2003, 2008, 2012). Long-term assessment of the incidence of IgE-dependent sensitization depending on the age of the patients (1998-2012).

Material and methods

A group of 6577 children and adolescents aged up to 18 years with a suspicion of an allergic process, diagnosed in 1998-2012. Skin prick tests (SPT) with selected food allergens and airborne allergens were used to evaluate the sensitization process of patients.

Results

A significant increase in the percentage of patients sensitized was found, comparing 1998 vs. 2012: to at least one allergen (35.3% vs. 40.4%); only to food allergens (5.1% vs. 13.1%), and to at least one food allergen (10.5% vs. 20.1%). There were no significant changes in the percentage of children and adolescents sensitized to airborne allergens (22.7% vs. 20.3%). The percentage of sensitization to at least one allergen was lowest in 2-year-old children (30.2%), and highest in 15-year-old children (46.8%). The percentage of patients sensitized to airborne allergens increased statistically significantly with their age: 6.3% in infants, 43.7% in adolescents.

Conclusions

During the 14-year-period of the study the authors observed an upward trend in the frequency of sensitization to food allergens. The frequency of sensitization to airborne allergens was similar at the beginning and the completion of the study.

IgE-dependent sensitization to tropho- and aeroallergens with regard to age, sex and birth season of children and adolescents living in the north-eastern region of Poland

Introduction

A small number of studies concern trophoallergens and aeroallergens sensitization in the developmental age population in Poland. Only a few studies describe the role of selected factors determining the frequency and type of IgE-dependent sensitization in this population.

Aim

To assess the rate of sensitization to chosen tropho- and aeroallergens in the group of sensitized patients living in the north-eastern region of Poland with regard to age, sex and birth season.

Material and methods

Skin prick testing (SPT) with selected food allergens (trophoallergens) and airborne allergens was used to evaluate the sensitization process of patients recruited to this study between 1998 and 2012. A positive result of sensitization was defined when the patient had at least one positive skin prick test with the allergen studied. The skin prick tests were done after written consent had been obtained from the parents.

Results

Significant results were as follows: sensitization was more common in boys (41.9%) than in girls (35.7%); the highest percentage of sensitized patients was observed in the group of children aged 13–18 years (45.0%) as compared to the group of children up to 3 years old (the lowest 33.1%). The highest percentage of sensitized patients was observed among children born during winter (41.3%), the lowest among children born in autumn (36.8%).

Conclusions

The assessment of sensitization to chosen trophoallergens and airborne allergens should include the role of age, sex and birth season of the diagnosed patient.