Mouse Sensitivity Is an Independent Risk Factor for Rhinitis in Children with Asthma

Abstract

RationaleAlthough mouse and cockroach allergy are known to be important in urban children with asthma, the independent association of mouse and cockroach sensitization with rhinitis in these children is unknown.MethodsInner city children(6-17yr, n=499) with persistent asthma underwent skin prick testing to 14 common environmental allergens, serum mouse and cockroach specific IgE measurement (n=269 for cockroach IgE), and spirometry as part of the Mouse Allergen and Asthma Intervention Trial. Reported mouse/cockroach sightings and bedroom dust samples for mouse allergen were also evaluated with rhinitis outcomes.ResultsChildren were predominantly black (76.6%) and had poorly controlled asthma (52.4% with asthma control test < 19). Serum mouse IgE level ≥ 0.35 IU/mL was associated with rhinitis in the past two weeks (ORadj=2.15, 95%CI= 1.02 – 4.54, P=0.044) and the past year (OR=2.40, 95% CI=1.12 – 5.1, P=0.024) after controlling for age, race, gender, the presence of any smokers at home, education level of primary caregiver, number of sensitivities (excluding mouse), cockroach IgE level ≥ 0.35 and study site (Boston or Baltimore). Positive skin prick testing to mouse was not associated with rhinitis. In mouse sensitized children, measures of home mouse exposure were not associated with rhinitis. Similar results were seen with non-mouse sensitized children. Cockroach sensitization was not associated with rhinitis regardless of sensitization to other allergens.ConclusionsIn urban asthmatic children, sensitivity to mouse allergen (defined by serum mouse IgE ≥ 0.35 IU/mL) is independently associated with rhinitis. In contrast, cockroach sensitivity (by skin testing or serology) was not associated with rhinitis in these children. RationaleAlthough mouse and cockroach allergy are known to be important in urban children with asthma, the independent association of mouse and cockroach sensitization with rhinitis in these children is unknown. Although mouse and cockroach allergy are known to be important in urban children with asthma, the independent association of mouse and cockroach sensitization with rhinitis in these children is unknown. MethodsInner city children(6-17yr, n=499) with persistent asthma underwent skin prick testing to 14 common environmental allergens, serum mouse and cockroach specific IgE measurement (n=269 for cockroach IgE), and spirometry as part of the Mouse Allergen and Asthma Intervention Trial. Reported mouse/cockroach sightings and bedroom dust samples for mouse allergen were also evaluated with rhinitis outcomes. Inner city children(6-17yr, n=499) with persistent asthma underwent skin prick testing to 14 common environmental allergens, serum mouse and cockroach specific IgE measurement (n=269 for cockroach IgE), and spirometry as part of the Mouse Allergen and Asthma Intervention Trial. Reported mouse/cockroach sightings and bedroom dust samples for mouse allergen were also evaluated with rhinitis outcomes. ResultsChildren were predominantly black (76.6%) and had poorly controlled asthma (52.4% with asthma control test < 19). Serum mouse IgE level ≥ 0.35 IU/mL was associated with rhinitis in the past two weeks (ORadj=2.15, 95%CI= 1.02 – 4.54, P=0.044) and the past year (OR=2.40, 95% CI=1.12 – 5.1, P=0.024) after controlling for age, race, gender, the presence of any smokers at home, education level of primary caregiver, number of sensitivities (excluding mouse), cockroach IgE level ≥ 0.35 and study site (Boston or Baltimore). Positive skin prick testing to mouse was not associated with rhinitis. In mouse sensitized children, measures of home mouse exposure were not associated with rhinitis. Similar results were seen with non-mouse sensitized children. Cockroach sensitization was not associated with rhinitis regardless of sensitization to other allergens. Children were predominantly black (76.6%) and had poorly controlled asthma (52.4% with asthma control test < 19). Serum mouse IgE level ≥ 0.35 IU/mL was associated with rhinitis in the past two weeks (ORadj=2.15, 95%CI= 1.02 – 4.54, P=0.044) and the past year (OR=2.40, 95% CI=1.12 – 5.1, P=0.024) after controlling for age, race, gender, the presence of any smokers at home, education level of primary caregiver, number of sensitivities (excluding mouse), cockroach IgE level ≥ 0.35 and study site (Boston or Baltimore). Positive skin prick testing to mouse was not associated with rhinitis. In mouse sensitized children, measures of home mouse exposure were not associated with rhinitis. Similar results were seen with non-mouse sensitized children. Cockroach sensitization was not associated with rhinitis regardless of sensitization to other allergens. ConclusionsIn urban asthmatic children, sensitivity to mouse allergen (defined by serum mouse IgE ≥ 0.35 IU/mL) is independently associated with rhinitis. In contrast, cockroach sensitivity (by skin testing or serology) was not associated with rhinitis in these children. In urban asthmatic children, sensitivity to mouse allergen (defined by serum mouse IgE ≥ 0.35 IU/mL) is independently associated with rhinitis. In contrast, cockroach sensitivity (by skin testing or serology) was not associated with rhinitis in these children.