Prevalence of Sensitization to Aeroallergens in Greater Beijing Region Children With Respiratory Allergy

Sensitization Patterns to Aeroallergens and Food Allergens Among Children with Atopic Asthma in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory disease in children, with increasing rates in Saudi Arabia. Allergen sensitization plays a crucial role in asthma development and severity. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical impact of aeroallergen and food sensitization in children with asthma in Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted at Abha Maternity and Children's Hospital, including 194 children aged 3-12 years with atopic asthma. Sensitization to 26 common aeroallergens and food allergens was assessed using the EUROLINE Allergy test. Associations between sensitization patterns, atopic comorbidities (allergic rhinitis and eczema), and asthma-related outcomes (hospitalizations, medication use, and school absenteeism) were analyzed.

RESULTS

A high prevalence of sensitization was observed (74.2% for aeroallergens; 56.7% for food allergens). Aeroallergen sensitization was associated with older age (p < 0.001), male sex (p = 0.026), allergic rhinitis (p < 0.001), eczema (p = 0.295), and increased asthma morbidity, including hospitalizations (p = 0.002) and corticosteroid use (p = 0.012). Food sensitization was associated with eczema (p < 0.001) but did not significantly impact other asthma outcomes. Poly-sensitization was associated with a higher prevalence of eczema (p = 0.003). Dust mite sensitization was a strong independent predictor of severe asthma (adjusted odds ratio = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.7-11.8, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates a high prevalence of aeroallergen and food sensitization among children with atopic asthma in Southwestern Saudi Arabia, with distinct sensitization patterns and associated comorbidities. Aeroallergen sensitization, particularly to dust mites, was associated with increased asthma morbidity, highlighting the importance of comprehensive sensitization assessment in this population. While limited by its retrospective design, this study provides valuable insights into the interplay between sensitization and childhood asthma, informing future research and clinical practice.

Prevalence of food and inhalant allergies in infants and children from the Nanhai area of Foshan city

BACKGROUND

The aim of our research was to explore the distribution characteristics of the most common food and inhalant allergens in children from Foshan city in Southwest China to provide evidence for the development of prevention and treatment strategies for allergic diseases in children.

METHODS

A total of 635 children who attended the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, South China University of Technology, were included in our retrospective study from February 2013 to October 2019. The sensitivity of immunoglobulin E (IgE) for 20 allergens (10 inhalant allergens and 10 food allergens) was determined. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze differences in the percentage of allergens among individuals according to sex, age and season.

RESULTS

Of the 635 patients, 200 tested positive for allergies. Dust mites were the most common inhalant allergens, followed by dog hair. The highest percentage of positive house dust mite sensitization was in the summer. Among the food allergens, individuals most frequently tested positive for wheat and milk allergies. The percentage of individuals with milk and egg allergies decreased with increasing age.

CONCLUSION

The most common allergens found in children from Foshan were dust mites, dog hair, wheat, tree nuts (hazelnut and pistachio), milk and peanuts. The results obtained could be helpful in determining the etiology of allergic diseases.

Prevalence of aeroallergen sensitization in children in Northern China

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the sensitization rate of different aeroallergens in children of different age, sex, and disease groups, describe the changing trend of different aeroallergens in different ages, and analyze the sensitization risk factors for asthma.

METHODS

Children (<18 years old) with suspected atopic diseases who visited the Department of Allergy of Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics and underwent a skin prick test (SPT) were retrospectively enrolled from January 2019 to November 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 5465 patients (3514 boys, 1951 girls; mean age, 7 ± 3 years) were enrolled. Of them, 3703 patients (67.8%) were sensitized to at least one aeroallergen. Before 4 years of age, mold was the most prevalent aeroallergen (103/380 [27.1%]), whereas after 4 years of age, weed pollen was the most prevalent aeroallergen. After 6 years of age, tree pollen became the second most prevalent aeroallergen. After 12 years of age, the sensitization rate of indoor aeroallergens was lower than that of outdoor aeroallergens. Logistic regression showed that sensitization to mold (odds ratio [OR]:1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-1.7, p < 0.001), animal dander (OR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.4-1.9, p < 0.001), and polysensitization (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0-1.8, p = 0.038) were potential sensitization risk factors for asthma.

CONCLUSIONS

Mold is an important allergen in early life. Different kinds of allergens affect different age groups. Patients who are sensitized to mold or animal dander or experience polysensitization should be carefully monitored for asthma risk.

Trends of aeroallergen sensitization among children with respiratory allergy in Southern Thailand

Background

Respiratory allergy significantly impacts children's health and quality of life, with inhaled allergens serving as prevalent triggers for respiratory symptoms. Aeroallergen sensitization, confirmed through the skin prick test (SPT), naturally evolves over time and is influenced by environmental factors specific to each region.

Objective

This study aimed to review the updated 6-year trend of aeroallergen sensitization among children with asthma and allergic rhinitis in Southern Thailand.

Methods

This retrospective study involved a review of patients aged ≤15 years diagnosed with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis, who underwent the SPT using 12 standardized aeroallergens.

Results

The medical records of 1,393 children were reviewed, with 63% being male, and the mean age was 7.4 ± 3.3 years. Among them, 55.5% presented with allergic rhinitis alone, followed by 31.6% with asthma and allergic rhinitis, and 12.9% with asthma alone. Over the 6-year period, house dust mites emerged as the most common sensitized allergen, followed closely by cockroaches, maintaining a consistent trend of sensitization. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ranked as the predominant sensitized allergen across all diagnoses (63% in asthma with allergic rhinitis, 52.7% in allergic rhinitis, and 43.5% in asthma). Children diagnosed with both asthma and allergic rhinitis exhibited a higher prevalence of sensitization to house dust mites, cockroaches, Johnson grass, acacia, Candida albicans, and cat pelts compared with those with asthma or allergic rhinitis alone. Additionally, the prevalence of house dust mite and cockroach sensitization was notably higher in older children (≥5 years old) with respiratory allergies.

Conclusion

House dust mites and cockroaches emerge as the 2 most prevalent sensitized aeroallergens among children diagnosed with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis, exhibiting consistent trends of sensitization over the past 6 years. The persistence of these causative allergens underscores the importance of meticulous environmental control measures for children affected by respiratory allergies.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Towards Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of patients with allergic rhinitis towards allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT).

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted through a questionnaire survey at The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from October 15, 2023, to December 3, 2023.

Results

A total of 550 valid questionnaires were included in the analysis. The median scores with interquartile ranges (IQR) for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 17 (11, 23), (possible range: 0-34); 20 (17, 22), (possible range: 7-35); and 30 (24, 34), (possible range: 8-40). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that individuals engaging in physical activity 1-3 times per week (OR = 2.895, 95% CI: [1.745, 4.804], P < 0.001), those participating in physical activity 5-7 times per week (OR = 3.811, 95% CI: [1.502, 9.671], P = 0.005), and those with higher knowledge scores (OR = 4.485, 95% CI: [2.942, 6.837], P < 0.001) were independently associated with positive practices. The structural equation modeling (SEM) results revealed that knowledge had a significant influence on attitude (β = -0.354, P = 0.010) and practice (β = 0.618, P = 0.010), and attitude also demonstrated a noteworthy impact on practice (β = -0.120, P = 0.020). Furthermore, it is worth noting that the indirect effects of knowledge on practice were statistically significant (β = 0.042, P = 0.020).

Conclusion

Patients with allergic rhinitis had inadequate knowledge, negative attitudes and proactive practices towards AIT. To improve their understanding and adherence, healthcare providers should prioritize education and interventions aimed at enhancing patient engagement with this treatment option.

Airborne pollen exposure and risk of hospital admission for allergic rhinitis in Beijing: A time-stratified case-crossover study

BACKGROUND

Airborne pollen is a crucial risk factor in allergic rhinitis (AR). The severity of AR symptoms can vary based on pollen type and concentration. This study aimed to estimate the association between exposure to different pollen types and AR risk.

METHODS

We obtained data from patients admitted to the Beijing Tongren Hospital for AR, and data on pollen concentration, meteorological factors, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from 13 districts in Beijing from 2016 to 2019. We used a time-stratified case-crossover study design and calculated odds ratios (ORs) related to the risk of AR associated with a 10 grain/1000 mm2 increase in total pollen concentrations for specific pollen types. A stratified analysis was conducted to assess whether the associations were varied by age and sex.

RESULTS

The OR of AR associated with a 10 grain/1000 mm2 increase in the 7-day average pollen concentration was 1.014 (95% CI: 1.014, 1.015), 1.076 (95% CI: 1.070, 1.082), 1.024 (95% CI: 1.023, 1.025), 1.042 (95% CI: 1.039, 1.045), 1.142 (95% CI: 1.137, 1.147), 1.092 (95% CI: 1.088, 1.097), 1.046 (95% CI: 1.035, 1.058), and 1.026 (95% CI: 1.024, 1.028) for total pollen, Ulmus, Cupressaceae, Populus, Fraxinus, Pinus, Betula, and Artemisia, respectively. Both tree pollen (Ulmus, Cupressaceae, Populus, Fraxinus, Betula, and Pinus) and weed pollen (Artemisia, Chenopodium, and Humulus) were correlated with an increased risk of AR. These associations remained consistent across distinct subgroups defined by both age and sex.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to pollen from trees and weeds might be associated with an increased risk of AR. This research provides valuable scientific support for both clinical practitioners and patients with AR regarding the hazards of pollen exposure.