Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2009 Jun;29(2):117-122.

A Comparison of the Sensitization Rate to House Dust Mite in Children with Allergic Disease in Busan's Single University Hospital in 2002 and 2007

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The house dust mite (HDM) is one of the most important aeroallergens in pediatric allergic diseases.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the sensitization rate to HDM in Busan in 2002 and 2007. METHOD: The 201 and 215 patients at the Pediatric Department of Dong-A Medical Center with bronchial asthma (BA), allergic rhinitis (AR) or atopic dermatitis (AD) in 2002 and 2007 were enrolled. Total eosinophil count, total IgE and specific IgE to HDM were evaluated with ImmunoCAP100 (Pharmacia & Upjohn Diagnostics, Uppsala, Sweden) or the skin prick test (Allergopharma, Reinbek, Germany). RESULT: The sensitization rates to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) and Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) in 2007 were lower than in 2002. The sensitization rates to Dp in patients aged 2~3 years were lower in 2007 than those in 2002 (P=0.04). The sensitization rates to Dp in patients with BA was lower in 2007 than in 2002 (P=0.03). The sensitization rates to Df in patients with BA alone and with BA and AR were lower in 2007 than those in 2002 (P=0.03).
CONCLUSION
The sensitization rates to HDM were lower in 2007 than those in 2002, especially in patients aged 2~3 years and those with BA and AR. In the future, multicenter studies are needed to assess the sensitization rate to HDM and the prevalence of pediatric allergic diseases in Busan.

MeSH Terms

Aged
Asthma
Child
Dermatitis, Atopic
Dermatophagoides farinae
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
Dust
Eosinophils
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
Prevalence
Pyroglyphidae
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
Skin
Dust
Immunoglobulin E