Prevalence Of Atopic Symptoms Research Articles

What factors are associated with the prevalence of atopic symptoms amongst adolescents in Greater Manchester?

Atopy commonly manifests itself as atopic diseases (ADs), namely asthma, eczema and hay fever. The prevalence of AD is rising worldwide, and it is widely accepted as a major public health issue, due to the significant burden of AD on health care systems. Data were obtained from the youth survey of the European Urban Health Indicator System 2 project. The study participants were students aged 14-16 years from Greater Manchester. The main outcomes measured were the prevalence of atopic symptoms and the factors associated with the development of atopy. Of the sample studied, 70% reported having had an AD during their lifetime. The lifetime prevalence of ever having asthma, eczema or hay fever was 33.4%, 28.1% and 49.0%, respectively. Gender, family affluence, body mass index, diet, smoking and worrying were all significantly associated with atopic symptoms. Smoking was the only variable to be significantly associated with all three ADs. Season of birth and pollution were not shown to be associated with atopic symptoms. This study demonstrates that the prevalence of AD in Greater Manchester was high amongst adolescents. Several environmental, demographic and social factors were found to be significantly associated with the development of atopic symptoms. This study provides a baseline for future studies to further investigate the factors that are associated with AD and allow for the implementation of preventative public health policy.

Self Reported Prevalence Of Food Allergy Symptoms In An Inner City Minority General Pediatric Population

RATIONALE: The prevalence of food allergy is higher in pediatric population compared to the adult population, affecting 6% of the US population less than 5 years of age and 3-4% of the general population. Children with atopic conditions tend to have a higher prevalence of food allergy. The prevalence studies of food allergy and its relationship with other atopic conditions in African American children are few.METHODS: A survey of allergic symptoms and family history of children being evaluated for other reasons at our institution was performed. Patients receiving general pediatric care and emergency room care completed the survey. Presence of food and other allergy and relationship to family history was determinedRESULTS: Prevalence of food allergy symptoms in this inner city pediatric population (median age 5yrs) was 20.5%, which is higher than in the general US pediatric population. Prevalence of atopic symptoms was 44.9% and family history of allergy was 40.9%. There was a strong association between other atopic conditions and presence of food allergy (p<0.001). However, no significant association was found between food allergy and family history of allergy. The three most common food allergies were seafood (6.2%), peanut (5.4%), and fruits (3.1%)CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the general pediatric population has allergic disease symptoms at our center in Brooklyn. Although prevalence of allergic disease is also high in their relatives, there is no significant association with food allergy symptoms in children. In this population food allergy is an emerging health problem as these children grow RATIONALE: The prevalence of food allergy is higher in pediatric population compared to the adult population, affecting 6% of the US population less than 5 years of age and 3-4% of the general population. Children with atopic conditions tend to have a higher prevalence of food allergy. The prevalence studies of food allergy and its relationship with other atopic conditions in African American children are few. METHODS: A survey of allergic symptoms and family history of children being evaluated for other reasons at our institution was performed. Patients receiving general pediatric care and emergency room care completed the survey. Presence of food and other allergy and relationship to family history was determined RESULTS: Prevalence of food allergy symptoms in this inner city pediatric population (median age 5yrs) was 20.5%, which is higher than in the general US pediatric population. Prevalence of atopic symptoms was 44.9% and family history of allergy was 40.9%. There was a strong association between other atopic conditions and presence of food allergy (p<0.001). However, no significant association was found between food allergy and family history of allergy. The three most common food allergies were seafood (6.2%), peanut (5.4%), and fruits (3.1%) CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the general pediatric population has allergic disease symptoms at our center in Brooklyn. Although prevalence of allergic disease is also high in their relatives, there is no significant association with food allergy symptoms in children. In this population food allergy is an emerging health problem as these children grow

The prevalence of atopic symptoms in children with otitis media with effusion

Objective To determine the prevalence of allergic symptoms in children with otitis media with effusion (OME). Study Design A validated questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood was used to determine the prevalence of allergic symptoms in children. The questionnaire was completed by the parents of children with OME undergoing ventilation tube insertion, and the results were compared with a large reference group of school children of the same age. Subjects and Methods Children aged 6 or 7 years old with OME confirmed intraoperatively during ventilation tube insertion between 2001 and 2005 (n = 89). The prevalence of allergic symptoms and nasal symptoms in children with OME was compared with an age-matched reference group. Results There was no difference in the prevalence of allergic symptoms suggesting rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, or eczema between the OME and reference group. The prevalence of nasal symptoms, however, was greater in the children with OME than in the reference group 38.2 percent versus 23.5 percent (odds ratio = 2.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-3.10; P < 0.001). Conclusion The prevalence of allergic symptoms was similar in 6- to 7-year-old children with OME and the reference group, suggesting a limited effect of allergy in the pathogenesis of OME in this age group. Nasal symptoms were more common in the OME group, which may reflect a higher prevalence of adenoidal hyperplasia.

Prevalence of Atopic Symptoms among Blood Donor Carriers of Mannose-Binding Lectin Variant Alleles

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a C-type soluble collectin involved in the innate immune response. Carriers of MBL gene variant alleles (MBLva) have decreased plasma concentrations of MBL and increased susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections. The aim of the present study is to test the hypothesis that carriers of MBLva could have a different frequency of atopic symptoms as compared to wild-type carriers. A total of 385 consecutively enrolled Caucasian blood donors were studied. Blood specimens underwent genomic analysis and genotyping for MBLva by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MBLva carrier status was associated with a reduced frequency of allergic rhinitis (OR 0.41 [95% CI 0.2 to 0.8], chi2 = 6.98, p =.008). No relationship was found between MBLva carrier status and asthma or atopic skin symptoms. MBLva might be one of the host-related genetic factors involved in atopic disorders, namely allergic rhinitis.

Mothers of very low birth weight infants have less atopy than mothers of full‐term infants

Studies on the pregnancy outcome of asthmatic mothers have suggested an increased rate of preterm deliveries. In contrast, our earlier study suggests that mothers of very low birth weight (VLBW) (<1500 g) infants less frequently had atopy than did mothers of full-term infants. We inquired about symptoms of atopy and doctor-diagnosed atopy in parents of 370 infants of VLBW (<1500 g) and 544 parents of full-term infants. Odds ratios for atopic symptoms and diagnosed atopy were calculated, and groups were compared with a trend test. Mothers of preterm infants of birth weight (BW) <1000 g significantly less often had physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis (AR) (P=0.02). Among all the mothers, a trend test showed that maternal AR was significantly (P=0.03) higher in parallel with a higher infant BW. Fathers of infants with different BWs showed no differences in prevalence of atopic symptoms. We thus infer that maternal balance between T-helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells, shifted towards Th2 in those with AR, may have a favourable effect on maintenance of pregnancy before gestational week 30.

The ecological relationship of tobacco smoking to the prevalence of symptoms of asthma and other atopic diseases in children: the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC).

This study examined the relationship between parental smoking and asthma and other atopic diseases at the ecological level. The prevalence of atopic symptoms in 6-7- and 13-14-year old children was assessed in 91 centres (from 38 countries) and 155 centres (from 56 countries) respectively in the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC). These symptoms were related to prevalence of tobacco smoking for each country by gender as reported by the World Health Organisation. There was a significant negative association between the prevalence of smoking by men and the prevalence of symptoms of asthma and rhinitis, but not eczema in the 13-14-year age group. There was a significant positive relationship between prevalence of smoking by women and prevalence of wheeze in the last 12 months, but not for any other symptoms in the 13-14-year age group. In the 6-7-year age group, there was a significant negative correlation between prevalence of smoking by men and the prevalence of wheeze causing sleep disturbance and a close to significant negative association at the 5% level with the prevalence of wheeze in the last 12 months and rhinitis. Thus, for the countries that are included in this analysis, countries that have high adult male smoking rates have a lower risk of asthma and rhinitis symptoms in children. It should be stressed that this analysis does not involve information on individual exposures and therefore does not contradict the well-established association of active and passive smoking in individuals with the occurrence of asthma symptoms in the same individuals. Rather, it indicates that this well-established individual-level association does not account for the international differences in asthma prevalence, and that other risk factors for asthma must be responsible for the observed international patterns.