Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2012 Sep;32(3):176-182.

Sensitization to Inhalant Allergens and Its Association with Allergic Diseases in Preschool Children

Abstract

BACKGROUND
This study was conducted to investigate the recent prevalence of allergic diseases and the sensitization rate to inhalant allergens as well as their association in preschool children.
METHODS
We performed a questionnaire survey and skin prick tests on 307 children aged 4 to 6 years from the northeast area of Seoul between April and July of 2009.
RESULTS
The sensitization rate to inhalant allergens was 47.9%. The sensitization rate to house dust mites was the highest (41.7%) among tested allergens, followed by tree pollen (9.8%), animal dander (5.5%), weed pollen (2.0%) and Alternaria (1.6%), in decreasing order. The prevalence of wheezing during the past 12 months was 13.4%, that of allergic rhinitis was 27.6%, and that of atopic dermatitis was 21.7%. Atopy was associated with persistent symptoms of allergic rhinitis (adjusted odd ratio 2.00, 95% confidence interval 1.13~3.53) and symptoms of allergic rhinitis during the past 12 months (adjusted odd ratio 1.89, 95% confidence interval 1.03~3.44). Atopy was associated with everlasting (adjusted odd ratio 1.96, 95% confidence interval 1.07~3.58) and symptoms of atopic dermatitis during the past 12 months (adjusted odd ratio 2.10, 95% confidence interval 1.09~4.04). In addition, the increase in the number of sensitized inhalant allergens was associated with allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.
CONCLUSION
Both sensitization to each inhalant allergen and the increase in the number of sensitized inhalant allergens may be risk factors for developing symptoms of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.

MeSH Terms

Aged
Allergens
Alternaria
Animals
Child
Child, Preschool
Dermatitis, Atopic
Humans
Pollen
Prevalence
Pyroglyphidae
Respiratory Sounds
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
Risk Factors
Skin
Surveys and Questionnaires
Allergens