Prevalence of allergen-specific IgE in southern China: a multicenter research

A Comprehensive Analysis of Immunoglobulin E Levels, Allergen-Specific Sensitivities, and Clinical Manifestations in Allergic Dermatological Conditions: A Multicenter Retrospective Study in China

Objective

To assess the correlations between Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, pruritus, and lesion severity in patients with eczema, atopic dermatitis, or urticaria.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted and data of 814 patients who visited the dermatology or allergy clinics of multiple hospitals, from December 2019 to December 2021, were collected. Patients were divided into children group (<18 years, 325 cases), adult group (18-60 years, 435 cases), and older population group (>60 years, 54 cases) based on the age. Baseline information, pruritus severity, severity of skin lesions, total IgE level, and specific IgE level were recorded to analyze the complex relationship between them.

Results

The prevalence of allergic conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis in the children group was significantly higher than that in the adult and older population group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The positive rate of specific IgE in children group was significantly higher than that in the adult and older population group (P < 0.01). The IgE levels in children with moderate pruritus were significantly lower than those of severe pruritus (63.39vs 114.42 IU/mL, P < 0.05). The IgE levels in children with mild and moderate skin lesions were significantly lower than those in children with severe skin lesions (58.95 vs 72.88 vs 169.15 IU/mL, P < 0.001 or P < 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

Relationships among age, severity of skin pruritus and lesions, and allergen-specific IgE response are complex and subtle, displaying dynamic patterns.

Association between living habits, indoor humidity, ventilation and asthma among residents in the tropical regions of China

Objective

Asthma is a major public health problem that affects both children and adults, and its prevalence varies among people with different climatic characteristics and living habits. However, few studies have investigated the prevalence and risk factors for asthma among tropical residents in China. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the correlation between individuals' living environment and daily habits in Hainan Province, and the occurrence of asthma.

Methods

This cross-sectional study collected data from 1021 participants in three regions of the Hainan Province. A questionnaire derived from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey was used to collect data on demographics, living habits, self-reported asthma, and respiratory system-related symptoms. Logistic regression was used for univariate and multivariate analyses to screen for relative risk factors associated with asthma.

Results

Among the 1,021 subjects investigated, the prevalence rate of self-reported asthma was 18.6%. Significant risk factors for asthma include hair dyeing, longer living time in Hainan, higher BMI, and living in a damp and musty room. Protective factors included fruit intake, years of higher education, and indoor timing of natural ventilation.

Conclusion

Higher frequency of hair dyeing, higher body mass index (BMI), longer living in Hainan, lower frequency of fruit intake, fewer years of education, a damp and musty room, and no indoor timing natural ventilation were associated with an increased risk of asthma.

Allergen Sensitization in Patients with Skin Diseases in Shanghai, China

Introduction

Allergen distribution has obvious geographical characteristics. Understanding local epidemiological data may provide evidence-based strategies for the prevention and management of disease. We investigated the distribution of allergen sensitization in patients with skin diseases in Shanghai, China.

Methods

Data from tests for serum-specific immunoglobulin E were collected from 714 patients with three skin diseases who visited the Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital from January 2020 to February 2022. The prevalence of 16 allergen species, as well as age, sex, and disease-group differences in allergen sensitization, were investigated.

Results

Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were the most common aeroallergen species to cause allergic sensitization in patients with skin diseases, whereas shrimp and crab were the most common food-allergen species. Children were more susceptible to various allergen species. With regard to sex differences, males were sensitized to more allergen species than females. Patients suffering from atopic dermatitis were sensitized to more allergenic species than patients with non-atopic eczema or urticaria.

Conclusion

Allergen sensitization in patients with skin diseases in Shanghai differed by age, sex, and disease type. Knowing the prevalence of allergen sensitization across age, sex, and disease type may help facilitate diagnostic and intervention efforts, and guide the treatment and management of skin diseases in Shanghai.

Association between urban garbage exposure and allergic diseases among sanitation practitioners: A cross-sectional study

Background

The prevalence of allergic diseases has increased significantly in China over the last few decades, and there have been very few reports of allergic diseases in certain occupational specialties, with almost no reports among sanitation workers.

Objective

Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of allergic diseases and the prevalence of common allergen sensitization in the population engaged in sanitation, and to try to answer the connection between urban garbage waste exposure and the development of allergic diseases.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of people working in sanitation-related jobs in Liwan District, Guangzhou, China. A total of 893 people completed the questionnaire for this study, and 500 of them were further screened and tested for allergens specific IgE and IgG4. Combining the questionnaire and test results, we investigated the incidence of allergy disorders and patterns of sensitization to allergens in this community, and evaluated the presence of occupational-related risk factors in this particular population.

Results

Of the 893 sanitation workers, 166 (18.59%) self-reported allergic diseases, predominantly suffering from allergic rhinitis (AR) (n = 98, 10.97%), followed by drug allergy (n = 31, 3.47%), atopic dermatitis (n = 27, 3.02%), food allergy (n = 21, 2.35%), and asthma (n = 9, 1.00%), in that order. In addition to dust mites (32.20%), which had the highest sensitization rate, the subject population had relatively high sensitization rates to ragweed (7.00%) and moulds mixture (8.20%) when compared with the rates of sensitization to moulds and ragweed in the general population; the top 3 sIgG4 positivity rates were egg (50.00%), milk (10.20%), and soybean (9.40%). The prevalence of self-reported AR was higher in office managers (the control group) than in cleaning staff (the exposed group), but there was no difference in sIgE positivity for serum allergens between the 2 groups. The chance of having AR may increase with management positions (crude OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.38-3.50), P = 0.001).

Conclusion

This is the first study to investigate the prevalence of allergy illnesses in the sanitation workforce in mainland China. We identified a community of real sanitation workers with high ragweed and mycobacterial sensitization rates. Urban cleaning may be protective factor against AR at the symptom level, but the serological results did not show this to be the case.

Dropouts From Sublingual Immunotherapy and the Transition to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy in House Dust Mite-Sensitized Allergic Rhinitis Patients

Purpose: Both subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) are effective in reducing symptoms and medication scores and inducing long-term efficacy in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). However, SLIT has been associated with poor patient adherence. This study investigates the factors impacting dropout rates from SLIT in house dust mite (HDM)-sensitized AR patients.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed to analyze dropout rates and reasons in AR patients receiving Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) SLIT with a follow-up period of 2 years.

Results: A total of 719 HDM-sensitized AR patients received Der f-SLIT. Dropout rates increased with time and most occurred after 1 year of SLIT. By month 24, 654 (91%) patients had discontinued SLIT. The dropout rates by month 24 were 100, 90.1, and 91.1% in children <5 years old, children aged 5–18 years old, and adults ≥ 18 years old, respectively. Combination with allergic asthma and mono- or multi-sensitization to other aeroallergens did not affect the dropout rates. The most common self-reported reasons for dropouts were refusal of continuation, dissatisfaction with the efficacy, transition to SCIT, and adverse effects. Refusal of continuation increased with age, whereas transition to SCIT decreased with age. Ninety-seven cases transitioned from SLIT to SCIT, and the transition rates increased with time. Comorbid allergic asthma did not affect the transition rates. However, multi-sensitization was associated with a slightly higher rate of transition to SCIT. The most common reason for the transition was dissatisfaction with the efficacy (54.6%), which was only reported by patients older than 5 years. For children who began SLIT at younger than 5 years old, the most common reason (81.2%) for transition was age reaching 5 years.

Conclusions: HDM-SLIT has a very high dropout rate, which is mainly due to refusal of continuation and dissatisfaction with the efficacy. Transitioning from SLIT to SCIT may help keep these patients on AIT and thus increase adherence and long-term efficacy.