Allergy Asthma Immunol Res.  2014 Jan;6(1):39-46. 10.4168/aair.2014.6.1.39.

Eosinophilic Airway Inflammation and Airway Hyperresponsiveness According to Aeroallergen Sensitization Pattern in Patients With Lower Airway Symptoms

• Jo EJ
• Kim MY
• Lee SE
• Lee SY
• Kim MH
• Song WJ
• Kim SH
• Kang HR
• Chang YS
• Cho SH
• Min KU

• KMID: 2166928
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2014.6.1.39

Abstract

PURPOSE
Sensitization to specific allergens may be important in the development of allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). We evaluated the effect of specific aeroallergen sensitization on eosinophilic airway inflammation and AHR.
METHODS
We reviewed retrospectively the clinical data of subjects who underwent skin prick tests to aeroallergens, induced sputum analysis, and methacholine bronchial provocation tests to evaluate lower airway symptoms as well as analyzed the associations between the pattern of aeroallergen sensitization and sputum eosinophilia or AHR.
RESULTS
Of the 1,202 subjects be enrolled, 534 (44.4%) were sensitized to at least one aeroallergen in skin tests. AHR was demonstrated in 23.5% and sputum eosinophilia in 38.8%. Sputum eosinophilia was significantly associated with sensitization to perennial allergens (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.4-2.5), house dust mite (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.3), dog (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.3), and cat (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.4-3.4). AHR was associated with sensitization to perennial allergens (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 2.0-3.7), house dust mite (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.6 3.2), Alternaria (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-4.7), and cat (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.7-4.3). Sensitization to more perennial allergens increased the risk for sputum eosinophilia and AHR. There was no relationship with individual seasonal allergens.
CONCLUSION
The development of airway eosinophilic inflammation and AHR in an adult Korean population was associated with sensitization to perennial allergens rather than seasonal allergens.

Keyword

Aeroallergen; airway eosinophilia; airway hyperresponsiveness

MeSH Terms

Adult
Allergens
Alternaria
Animals
Bronchial Provocation Tests
Cats
Dogs
Eosinophilia
Eosinophils*
Humans
Inflammation*
Methacholine Chloride
Pyroglyphidae
Retrospective Studies
Seasons
Skin
Skin Tests
Sputum
Allergens
Methacholine Chloride

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of airway eosinophilic inflammation in relation to grades of skin prick test. *Statistical comparison was performed with group with negative skin test response to each grade of allergen; the odds ratio and P value were adjusted according to age, gender, and smoking status.

• 

  Fig. 2 Adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of airway hyperresponsiveness in relation to grades of skin prick test. *Statistical comparison was performed with group with negative skin test response to each grade of allergen; the odds ratio and P value were adjusted according to age, gender, and smoking status.

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