Major increase in allergic sensitization in schoolchildren from 1996 to 2006 in northern Sweden - 20/08/11
, Anders Bjerg, MD, PhD a, c, Matthew Perzanowski, PhD e, Thomas Platts-Mills, MD, PhD f, Bo Lundbäck, MD, PhD a, d
Reprint requests: Eva Rönmark, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine and Public Health, Occupation and Environment, University of Umeå, SE-90 185 Umeå, Sweden.Abstract |
Background |
Time trends for allergic sensitization are poorly known.
Objective |
To compare the trends in prevalence of allergic sensitization and associated risk factors in children.
Methods |
Two cohorts of children (age 7-8 years) were invited for skin prick tests (SPTs) 10 years apart, 1996 and 2006. The participation rates were 2148 (88%) and 1700 (90%), respectively. The methods were identical, and 10 common airborne allergens were used. An expanded International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Children questionnaire about symptoms and possible risk factors for allergic conditions was completed by the parents.
Results |
The prevalence of any positive SPT increased from 21% in 1996 to 30% in 2006 (P < .001). The pattern of sensitization remained similar, and sensitization to cat was most common both years, 13% and 19%, respectively. Sensitization to mites and mold was uncommon in both surveys. A family history of allergy was a significant risk factor for a positive SPT both years (odds ratio, 1.7). Factors that in 1996 had a protective effect, such as rural living and having several siblings, had lost this effect in 2006. The prevalence of most risk factors remained similar, but respiratory infections and smoking among parents decreased significantly. During the same period, there was no significant increase in the prevalence of current wheeze (11.9% to 12.4%, P = .636) or symptoms of rhinitis or eczema.
Conclusion |
The prevalence of allergic sensitization increased significantly from 1996 to 2006, whereas no increase in clinical symptoms was found. The parallel decrease in parental smoking and respiratory infections indicate a different influence of environmental factors on allergic sensitization and clinical symptoms, respectively.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : Allergic sensitization, atopic disease, epidemiology, OLIN, school children, skin prick test
Abbreviations used : OLIN, OR, SPT
Plan
| Supported by the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation, the Swedish Foundation for Health Care Science and Allergy Research (Vårdal), the Swedish Asthma-Allergy Foundation, VisareNorr, Norrbotten’s local health authorities, and the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (AI-20565 and AI-34607). GlaxoSmithKline World Wide Epidemiology, ALK, and Phadia provided additional financial support. |
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| Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: T. Platts-Mills is on the scientific advisory board for Indoor Biotechnologies and has received research support from the National Institutes of Health, Phadia, and ImClone. M. Perzanowski has received a speakers’ honorarium from Indoor Biotechnologies and research support from the National Institutes of Health. The rest of the authors have declared that they have no conflict of interest. |
Vol 124 - N° 2
P. 357 - août 2009 Retour au numéro
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