Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2012 Sep;32(3):183-189.

Sensitization to House Dust Mites: Association with Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Mite-Sensitive Young Adults with Asthma

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between sensitization to mite and airway hyperresponsiveness in mite-sensitive young adults with asthma.
METHODS
This study included 72 young male Korean conscripts aged between 19 and 30 years who complained of recurrent wheezing and dyspnea with nocturnal aggravation and no history of other lung disease, asthma exacerbation, or treatment against asthma except short-acting beta2 agonists over the last 2 months. They underwent pulmonary function tests and methacholine challenge tests. In 63 subjects, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second was more than 60% of the predicted value, and the provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second in methacholine challenge tests was less than 16 mg/mL. Serum was collected from these subjects to measure specific immunoglobulin E against Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus using the AdvanSure Allergy Screen test.
RESULTS
Specific immunoglobulin E against Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus correlated negatively with provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second in 50 subjects who were mite-sensitive (gamma=-0.368, P=0.009; and gamma=-0.415, P=0.003, respectively). However, specific immunoglobulin E against Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was not correlated with forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, or forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity.
CONCLUSION
Sensitization to mites may correlated with airway hyperresponsiveness in mite-sensitive young adults with asthma.

MeSH Terms

Aged
Asthma
Dermatophagoides farinae
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
Dust
Dyspnea
Forced Expiratory Volume
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins
Lung Diseases
Male
Methacholine Chloride
Mites
Respiratory Function Tests
Respiratory Sounds
Vital Capacity
Young Adult
Dust
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins
Methacholine Chloride