J Korean Med Sci.  2011 Sep;26(9):1165-1172. 10.3346/jkms.2011.26.9.1165.

Sensitization to Aeroallergens in Korean Children: A Population-based Study in 2010

• Kim J
• Hahm MI
• Lee SY
• Kim WK
• Chae Y
• Park YM
• Han MY
• Lee KJ
• Kwon HJ
• Jung JA
• Kim SY
• Ahn K

• KMID: 1779389
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2011.26.9.1165

Abstract

We performed this study to assess the prevalence of sensitization to aeroallergens and to analyze the difference between prevalence rates according to children's ages and residential areas. In this nationwide cross-sectional study, first grade students of 45 elementary schools and 40 middle schools were randomly selected, and skin prick tests were performed for 18 inhalant allergens between October and November 2010. Of 7,829 analyzed subjects, 3,753 (47.9%) were sensitized to at least one aeroallergen. Sensitization to Dermatophagoides farinae was found to be the most prevalent in elementary schoolchildren (32.4%), followed by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Japanese hop, and oak. In middle schoolchildren, D. pteronyssinus yielded the highest prevalence (42.7%), followed by D. farinae, T. putrescentiae, Japanese hop, and cat. In middle schoolchildren, the sensitization rate to aeroallergens in metropolitan, urban, and rural areas was 57.2%, 54.3%, and 49.8%, respectively (P = 0.019). In this age group, the sensitization rate in low, middle, high, and very high income groups was 53.8%, 51.8%, 59.0%, and 59.6%, respectively (P = 0.002). In conclusion, the sensitization rate is 47.9% and house dust mite is the most prevalent allergen in the pediatric population in Korea. The rate is higher in metropolitan areas and the highest income group than in rural areas and low income groups.

Keyword

Skin Tests; Child; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; Dermatophagoides farinae

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Age Factors
Air Pollutants/*immunology
Allergens/*immunology
Animals
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Demography
Female
Humans
Hypersensitivity/*diagnosis/epidemiology/immunology
Male
Pyroglyphidae/immunology
Republic of Korea
Rural Population
Sex Factors
Skin Tests
Socioeconomic Factors
Urban Population

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Prevalence of positive skin prick tests to various aeroallergens is shown.

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  Fig. 2 Sensitization rates to aeroallergens by geographical location are demonstrated. (A-C) show prevalence rates in children 6 to 7 yr of age, while (D-F) show those in children 12 to 13 yr of age. *< 0.05

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