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Yang Z, Zhao J, Wei N, Feng M, Xian M, Shi X, Zheng Z, Su Q, Wong GWK, Li J. Cockroach is a major cross-reactive allergen source in shrimp-sensitized rural children in southern China. Allergy 2018; 73:585-592. [PMID: 29072879 DOI: 10.1111/all.13341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the prevalence of food allergy (FA) in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the disparity of FA between urban and rural areas in southern China. METHODS EuroPrevall questionnaire responses were obtained from 5542 school-age children in urban Guangzhou and 5319 in rural Shaoguan. A case-control study enrolled 190 children with adverse reactions (ARs) after food intake as cases and 212 controls in Guangzhou, whereas 116 cases and 233 controls in Shaoguan. These subjects underwent skin prick test (SPT) and serum IgE measurements to food and inhalant allergens. Allergen extracts from shrimp, house dust mite (HDM), and cockroach were prepared for IgE cross-reactivity testing in 23 Guangzhou and 20 Shaoguan shrimp-sensitized subjects. RESULTS The prevalence of ARs to shrimp was higher in Guangzhou than in Shaoguan children (3.5% vs 1.4%, P < .001). However, sensitization rate to shrimp (SPT: 3.7% vs 11.2%, P = .015; IgE: 12.6% vs 36.2%, P < .001) and cockroach (SPT: 5.3% vs 33.5%; IgE: 2.6% vs 27.6%, P < .001) was lower in Guangzhou. A significant correlation between shrimp and HDM/cockroach IgE was found in Shaoguan children. The proportions of positive IgE to tropomyosin (Pen a 1, Der p 10) were lower than 7.4% in both areas. Cockroach allergen has a significantly higher inhibition rate of binding to IgE to house dust mite allergens in Shaoguan sera. CONCLUSION Shrimp is a common allergic food in southern China. Higher proportion of shrimp sensitization in rural subjects could be explained by cross-reactivity to cockroach. Tropomyosin was not a major allergen responding to the cross-reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z. Yang
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou China
| | - J. Zhao
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou China
| | - N. Wei
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou China
| | - M. Feng
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou China
| | - M. Xian
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou China
| | - X. Shi
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou China
| | - Z. Zheng
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou China
| | - Q. Su
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou China
| | - G. W. K. Wong
- Department of Paediatrics; Prince of Wales Hospital; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong China
| | - J. Li
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease; State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease; The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou China
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Yang Z, Zheng W, Yung E, Zhong N, Wong GWK, Li J. Frequency of food group consumption and risk of allergic disease and sensitization in schoolchildren in urban and rural China. Clin Exp Allergy 2016; 45:1823-32. [PMID: 25787117 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diet is a potential determinant of allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE To examine in schoolchildren the association between food intake and allergic diseases and determine whether there is effect of environment - rural vs. urban. METHODS A questionnaire survey was performed in 11 473 children aged 7-12 years in 20 schools from urban Guangzhou and rural Shaoguan, China. A nested case-control group, 402 from Guangzhou and 349 from Shaoguan, was recruited. Food ingestion frequency data were collected. Serum-specific IgE to 34 food and airborne allergens was determined. Associations between food ingestion frequency and clinical outcomes were sought by logistic analyses. RESULTS The prevalence of self-reported asthma (6.6% vs. 2.5%), rhinitis (23.2% vs. 5.3%) and eczema (34.1% vs. 25.9%) was significantly higher in Guangzhou subjects compared to Shaoguan, whereas prevalence of food hypersensitivity (9.7% vs. 9.2%) and food allergy (4.0% vs. 3.5%) was not significantly different. In this case-control study, seafood and fruits were two major food groups causing food hypersensitivity. Urban children consumed more milk, egg, chocolate, fruits, vegetable and cereals compared to rural children. Significantly higher percentage of Guangzhou children was sensitized to egg and milk, whereas more Shaoguan children were sensitized to seafood, nuts and seeds, fruit, vegetables, legumes and cereals. High consumption of milk (OR 2.604, 95 CI% 1.569-4.322, P < 0.001) and vegetables (OR 0.382, 95% CI 0.180-0.809, P = 0.012) were positively and reversely associated with asthma, respectively. CONCLUSION Difference in prevalence of asthma but not food allergy was observed. Diets of schoolchildren are affected by disease-related modification and country's urbanization. High vegetable intake and low milk intake might protect against asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Yang
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - W Zheng
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - E Yung
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - N Zhong
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - G W K Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - J Li
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Cheung TF, Cheuk KY, Yu FWP, Hung VWY, Ho CS, Zhu TY, Ng BKW, Lee KM, Qin L, Ho SSY, Wong GWK, Cheng JCY, Lam TP. Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among adolescents and its correlation with bone parameters using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Osteoporos Int 2016; 27:2477-88. [PMID: 27010646 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-016-3552-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are highly prevalent among adolescents in Hong Kong, which is a sub-tropical city with ample sunshine. Vitamin D level is significantly correlated with key bone density and bone quality parameters. Further interventional studies are warranted to define the role of vitamin D supplementation for improvement of bone health among adolescents. INTRODUCTION The relationship between bone quality parameters and vitamin D (Vit-D) status remains undefined among adolescents. The aims of this study were to evaluate Vit-D status and its association with both bone density and bone quality parameters among adolescents. METHODS Three hundred thirty-three girls and 230 boys (12-16 years old) with normal health were recruited in summer and winter separately from local schools. Serum 25(OH) Vit-D level, bone density and quality parameters by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and High-Resolution peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (HR-pQCT), dietary calcium intake, and physical activity level were assessed. RESULTS Sixty-four point seven percent and 11.4 % of subjects were insufficient [25 ≤ 25(OH)Vit-D ≤ 50 nmol/L] and deficient [25(OH)Vit-D < 25 nmol/L] in Vit-D, respectively. The mean level of serum 25(OH)Vit-D in summer was significantly higher than that in winter (44.7 ± 13.6 and 35.9 ± 12.6 nmol/L, respectively) without obvious gender difference. In girls, areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) of bilateral femoral necks, cortical area, cortical thickness, total volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), and trabecular thickness were significantly correlated with 25(OH)Vit-D levels. In boys, aBMD of bilateral femoral necks, BMC of the dominant femoral neck, cortical area, cortical thickness, total vBMD, trabecular vBMD, BV/TV, and trabecular separation were significantly correlated with 25(OH)Vit-D levels. CONCLUSION Vit-D insufficiency was highly prevalent among adolescents in Hong Kong with significant correlation between Vit-D levels and key bone density and bone quality parameters being detected in this study. Given that this is a cross-sectional study and causality relationship cannot be inferred, further interventional studies investigating the role of Vit-D supplementation on improving bone health among adolescents are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Cheung
- Bone Quality and Health Centre, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, General Office, 5/F LCW Clinical Sciences Building, Sha Tin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - K Y Cheuk
- Bone Quality and Health Centre, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, General Office, 5/F LCW Clinical Sciences Building, Sha Tin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - F W P Yu
- Bone Quality and Health Centre, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, General Office, 5/F LCW Clinical Sciences Building, Sha Tin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - V W Y Hung
- Bone Quality and Health Centre, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, General Office, 5/F LCW Clinical Sciences Building, Sha Tin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - C S Ho
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, China
| | - T Y Zhu
- Bone Quality and Health Centre, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, General Office, 5/F LCW Clinical Sciences Building, Sha Tin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - B K W Ng
- Bone Quality and Health Centre, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, General Office, 5/F LCW Clinical Sciences Building, Sha Tin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - K M Lee
- Lee Hysan Clinical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, China
| | - L Qin
- Bone Quality and Health Centre, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, General Office, 5/F LCW Clinical Sciences Building, Sha Tin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - S S Y Ho
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, China
| | - G W K Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, China
| | - J C Y Cheng
- Bone Quality and Health Centre, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, General Office, 5/F LCW Clinical Sciences Building, Sha Tin, NT, Hong Kong, China
- SH Ho Scoliosis Research Laboratory, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, China
| | - T P Lam
- Bone Quality and Health Centre, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, General Office, 5/F LCW Clinical Sciences Building, Sha Tin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
- SH Ho Scoliosis Research Laboratory, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, China.
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Tang MF, Sy HY, Kwok JSL, Tam WH, Hon KL, Tung CKC, Wong GWK, Tsui SKW, Leung TF. Eczema susceptibility and composition of faecal microbiota at 4 weeks of age: a pilot study in Chinese infants. Br J Dermatol 2016; 174:898-900. [PMID: 26408944 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.14205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M F Tang
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - H Y Sy
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - J S L Kwok
- Department of School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - W H Tam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - K L Hon
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - C K C Tung
- Department of School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - G W K Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - S K W Tsui
- Department of School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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Li J, Wang H, Chen Y, Zheng J, Wong GWK, Zhong N. House dust mite sensitization is the main risk factor for the increase in prevalence of wheeze in 13- to 14-year-old schoolchildren in Guangzhou city, China. Clin Exp Allergy 2014; 43:1171-9. [PMID: 24074335 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Revised: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about time trend of prevalence of asthma and the association between the changing prevalence and allergen sensitization in Chinese children. OBJECTIVE To determine the changes in prevalence of asthma and allergen sensitization in schoolchildren over a period of 15 years. METHODS A total of 6928 schoolchildren aged 13-14 years in 2009 were recruited for the study using the Phase III Protocol of the International Study of Asthma and Allergic disease in Childhood (ISAAC) and 2531 of them underwent skin prick test for seven common aeroallergens. The results were compared with those obtained in the Phase I (1994/95) and III (2001/02) ISAAC studies. RESULTS The prevalence of asthma ever and current wheeze increased from 3.9% and 3.4% in 1994, to 4.6% and 4.8% in 2001 (P<0.001), and to 6.9% and 6.1% in 2009 (P ≤ 0.008). The prevalence of higher degree of skin response to house dust mites (HDMs) and cat, and atopic index increased significantly in all children in 2010 when compared with those in 2002 (P<0.001). Prevalence of wheeze remained unchanged in subjects without sensitization to any tested allergen including HDMs (P > 0.05). Sensitization to HDMs, especially Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus was associated with increase in prevalence of wheeze. CONCLUSION The prevalence of wheeze and sensitization to common aeroallergens in secondary schoolchildren in Guangzhou China has increased significantly since 1994. Sensitization to HDMs is an important risk factor associated with the increase in prevalence of wheeze in this group of population in Guangzhou city.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, China
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Leung TF, Li AM, Wong GWK, Wong SPS, Lam CWK, Ng PC. Spirometric reference standards for preschool children in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Med J 2013; 19 Suppl 9:21-25. [PMID: 24473585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
1. Prediction equations and normograms are established using incentive spirometry in a community cohort of 770 Hong Kong Chinese children aged 2 to 6 years. 2. All spirometric parameters depend mainly on standing height. Boys have higher values than girls. 3. Forced expiratory volumes depend on birth weight, place of birth, history of wheezing, and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure. 4. High urinary cotinine level as a biomarker of ETS exposure is noted in about one tenth of the children. 5. Urinary cotinine level is inversely associated with all spirometric parameters. This supports implementation of the smoking cessation programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
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Leung TF, Chan PKS, Wong GWK, Fok TF, Ng PC. Respiratory viruses and atypical bacteria triggering severe asthma exacerbation in children. Hong Kong Med J 2013; 19 Suppl 4:11-14. [PMID: 23775180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
1. Respiratory viruses and atypical bacteria were detected in 51.0% of Hong Kong children with asthma exacerbations, which was significantly higher than the detection rate of 27.3% in children with chronic stable asthma. 2. Co-infections of two or more respiratory pathogens were more commonly found in children with asthma exacerbations (10.7%) than in patients with stable asthma (2.6%). 3. Human rhinovirus infection was a significant risk factor for asthma exacerbations. 4. There was no significant association between the severity of asthma exacerbations and respiratory viral or atypical bacterial infections. 5. Routine use of macrolide antibiotics in the treatment of childhood asthma exacerbations should be discouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Wong GWK, Kwon N, Hong JG, Hsu JY, Gunasekera KD. Pediatric asthma control in Asia: phase 2 of the Asthma Insights and Reality in Asia-Pacific (AIRIAP 2) survey. Allergy 2013; 68:524-30. [PMID: 23414255 DOI: 10.1111/all.12117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We conducted Phase 2 of the Asthma Insights and Reality in the Asia-Pacific (AIRIAP 2) survey in 2006 to determine the level of asthma control in this region and the validity of the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and childhood ACT (C-ACT) in relation to asthma control. METHODS Pediatric participants (0 to <16 years; N = 988) with diagnosed asthma and current asthma symptoms or taking anti-asthma medications were recruited from 12 geographic areas in Asia. The survey consisted of the AIRIAP 2 questionnaire (asthma symptoms, use of urgent healthcare services and anti-asthma medication) and the ACT or C-ACT (English or Chinese translations only), both administered in the participant's preferred language. A symptom control index based on the Global Initiative for Asthma criteria (except lung function) was used to classify asthma control status. RESULTS Most participants had inadequately controlled asthma ('uncontrolled' = 53.4%, 528/988; 'partly controlled' = 44.0%, 435/988). Only 2.5% (25/988) had 'controlled' asthma. Demand for urgent healthcare services (51.7%, 511/988) and use of short-acting beta-agonists (55.2%, 545/988) was high. The optimal ACT and C-ACT cutoff score for detecting uncontrolled asthma (compared with controlled or partly controlled asthma) was determined to be ≤19 (receiver operating characteristic analysis) with good agreement between the ACT and C-ACT and the symptom control index. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this survey show that asthma control is suboptimal in many children in the Asia-Pacific region. Practical tools, such as the ACT or C-ACT, may help clinicians assess asthma control and facilitate adjustment of asthma medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. W. K. Wong
- Department of Paediatrics and School of Public Health; The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Shatin; New Territories; Hong Kong
| | | | - J. G. Hong
- Shanghai First People's Hospital; Shanghai Jiaotong University; Shanghai; China
| | - J.-Y. Hsu
- Taichung Veterans General Hospital; Taichung; Taiwan
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Eczema lesions are characterized by impaired expression of antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidin, which play crucial roles in the innate immune defence against cutaneous infections. LL-37 corresponds to amino acids 134-170 of human cathelicidin and is a multifunctional host defence molecule essential for normal immune responses to infection and tissue injury. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between childhood eczema and circulating LL-37 levels. METHODS One hundred and forty-four eczema children and 36 controls were recruited. Eczema severity was assessed by SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and serum LL-37 concentration measured using enzyme immunoassay. Patients' skin hydration and transepidermal water loss at forearms were measured using Corneometer and Tewameter. RESULTS Patients' mean SCORAD was 49.2 and their disease was classified as mild (n=28; 12.8%), moderate (n=95; 43.6%) and severe (n=95; 43.6%). Serum LL-37 concentrations did not differ between eczema patients and controls (mean: 832 pg/mL vs. 952 pg/mL, P=0.471). However, serum LL-37 concentrations increased with increasing eczema severity among the patients (P=0.005 for trend). This biomarker shows weakly positive correlation with patients' objective SCORAD (r=0.207, P=0.013) and age (r=0.170, P=0.041), but not skin hydration or transepidermal water loss (P>0.09). Linear regression confirmed significant association between objective SCORAD and serum LL-37 when adjusted for age and gender as covariates (β=0.171, P=0.038). On the other hand, serum LL-37 did not differ between patients with and without heavy growth of staphylococci (P=0.151). CONCLUSIONS Circulating LL-37 may be a biomarker for severity of childhood eczema, which supports the importance of innate immunity in eczema pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
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Leung TF, Ching KW, Sy HY, Kong APS, Tse LY, Wang SS, Lam CWK, Chan JCN, Wong GWK, Hon KL. CHIA confers susceptibility to childhood eczema. Br J Dermatol 2010; 163:1360-2. [PMID: 20731649 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10007.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Mong JLY, Ng MCY, Guldan GS, Tam CHT, Lee HM, Ma RCW, So WY, Wong GWK, Kong APS, Chan JCN, Waye MMY. Associations of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 gene polymorphisms with IGF-I activity and lipid parameters in adolescents. Int J Obes (Lond) 2010; 33:1446-53. [PMID: 19786971 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2009.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Childhood obesity is a growing global epidemic. Recent studies indicate that obesity and related metabolic traits are highly heritable. Increasing evidence suggests that growth hormone (GH) and the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) axis have important functions in regulating adiposity and insulin sensitivity. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) were genotyped to find their associations with IGF-1 activity level and common clinical metabolic traits. PATIENTS AND METHODS We examined the associations of five SNPs at IGFBP3 with serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels, as well as with obesity-related metabolic traits in 981 Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. Factor analysis was used to reduce the intercorrelated variables to five factor scores indicating body composition, blood pressure, IGF-I activity, triglyceride (TG)+high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC)+low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) factor scores. RESULTS There was a strong association between the -202A/C polymorphism (rs2854744) and IGF-I activity (P=1.2 x 10(-6)) and TC+LDL-C factor scores (P=0.0085), corrected for age and sex. The C allele was associated with decreased IGFBP-3 levels (P=1.21 x 10(-13)), increased IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio (P=5.22 x 10(-6)) and decreased LDL-C (P=0.020). There was also a significant association between a G/A polymorphism at the 3' flanking sequence (rs13223993) of the IGFBP3 gene and the TG+HDL-C factor score (P=0.0013). The minor A allele carriers of rs13223993 had a lower HDL-C (P=0.0067) level and a tendency toward a high TG level. Haplotype analysis did not increase the significance of associations between single SNPs and phenotypes. CONCLUSION Our results support the function of IGFBP3 gene polymorphisms in modulating IGF-I activity and lipid levels in adolescents. Given the prognostic significance of IGF-I, IGFBPs and lipids on risk of diabetes, obesity and cancer, long-term studies are required to clarify the clinical meaning of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Y Mong
- Department of Biochemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Genuneit J, Cantelmo JL, Weinmayr G, Wong GWK, Cooper PJ, Riikjärv MA, Gotua M, Kabesch M, von Mutius E, Forastiere F, Crane J, Nystad W, El-Sharif N, Batlles-Garrido J, García-Marcos L, García-Hernández G, Morales-Suarez-Varela M, Nilsson L, Bråbäck L, Saraçlar Y, Weiland SK, Cookson WOC, Strachan D, Moffatt MF. A multi-centre study of candidate genes for wheeze and allergy: the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Phase 2. Clin Exp Allergy 2010; 39:1875-88. [PMID: 20085599 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2009.03364.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Common polymorphisms have been identified in genes suspected to play a role in asthma. We investigated their associations with wheeze and allergy in a case-control sample from Phase 2 of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. METHODS We compared 1105 wheezing and 3137 non-wheezing children aged 8-12 years from 17 study centres in 13 countries. Genotyping of 55 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 14 genes was performed using the Sequenom System. Logistic regression models were fitted separately for each centre and each SNP. A combined per allele odds ratio and measures of heterogeneity between centres were derived by random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS Significant associations with wheeze in the past year were detected in only four genes (IL4R, TLR4, MS4A2, TLR9, P<0.05), with per allele odds ratios generally <1.3. Variants in IL4R and TLR4 were also related to allergen-specific IgE, while polymorphisms in FCER1B (MS4A2) and TLR9 were not. There were also highly significant associations (P<0.001) between SPINK5 variants and visible eczema (but not IgE levels) and between IL13 variants and total IgE. Heterogeneity of effects across centres was rare, despite differences in allele frequencies. CONCLUSIONS Despite the biological plausibility of IgE-related mechanisms in asthma, very few of the tested candidates showed evidence of association with both wheeze and increased IgE levels. We were unable to confirm associations of the positional candidates DPP10 and PHF11 with wheeze, although our study had ample power to detect the expected associations of IL13 variants with IgE and SPINK5 variants with eczema.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Genuneit
- Institute of Epidemiology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
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Wong GWK. Zero tolerance to asthma death. Hong Kong Med J 2010; 16:84-85. [PMID: 20354240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
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Wong GWK, Mahesh PA, Ogorodova L, Leung TF, Fedorova O, Holla AD, Fernandez-Rivas M, Clare Mills EN, Kummeling I, van Ree R, Yazdanbakhsh M, Burney P. The EuroPrevall-INCO surveys on the prevalence of food allergies in children from China, India and Russia: the study methodology. Allergy 2010; 65:385-90. [PMID: 19889114 DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2009.02214.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Very little is known regarding the global variations in the prevalence of food allergies. The EuroPrevall-INCO project has been developed to evaluate the prevalence of food allergies in China, India and Russia using the standardized methodology of the EuroPrevall protocol used for studies in the European Union. The epidemiological surveys of the project were designed to estimate variations in the prevalence of food allergy and exposure to known or suspected risk factors for food allergy and to compare the data with different European countries. METHODS Random samples of primary schoolchildren were recruited from urban and rural regions of China, Russia and India for screening to ascertain possible adverse reactions to foods. Cases and controls were then selected to answer a detailed questionnaire designed to evaluate the possible risk factors of food allergies. Objective evidence of sensitisation including skin-prick test and serum specific IgE measurement was also collected. RESULTS More than 37 000 children from the three participating countries have been screened. The response rates for the screening phase ranged from 83% to 95%. More than 3000 cases and controls were studied in the second phase of the study. Further confirmation of food allergies by double blind food challenge was conducted. CONCLUSIONS This will be the first comparative study of the epidemiology of food allergies in China, India, and Russia using the same standardized methodology. The findings of these surveys will complement the data obtained from Europe and provide insights into the development of food allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W K Wong
- Department of Paediatrics and School of Public Health, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
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Flohr C, Weinmayr G, Weiland SK, Addo-Yobo E, Annesi-Maesano I, Björkstén B, Bråbäck L, Büchele G, Chico M, Cooper P, Clausen M, El Sharif N, Martinez Gimeno A, Mathur RS, von Mutius E, Morales Suarez-Varela M, Pearce N, Svabe V, Wong GWK, Yu M, Zhong NS, Williams HC. How well do questionnaires perform compared with physical examination in detecting flexural eczema? Findings from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase Two. Br J Dermatol 2009; 161:846-53. [PMID: 19485999 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09261.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Questionnaires are widely used in epidemiological studies to measure eczema symptom prevalence, but there are concerns regarding their accuracy if used as a diagnostic tool. OBJECTIVES To compare the performance of a validated eczema symptom questionnaire and a standardized skin examination protocol employed in the second phase of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). METHODS A total of 30,358 schoolchildren aged 8-12 years from 18 countries were examined for flexural eczema. Parents also completed an eczema symptom questionnaire. We compared prevalence estimates at the population level based on the questionnaire vs. physical examination. We also compared the skin examination and the ISAAC questionnaire in making a diagnosis of flexural eczema. RESULTS The point prevalences for flexural eczema at centre level based on a single examination were lower than the questionnaire-based 12-month period prevalences (mean centre prevalence 3.9% vs. 9.4%). Correlation between prevalences of both outcome measures was high (r = 0.77, P < 0.001). At the individual level, questionnaire-derived symptoms of 'persistent flexural eczema in the past 12 months' missed < 10% of cases of flexural eczema detected on physical examination. However, between 33% and 100% of questionnaire-based symptoms of 'persistent flexural eczema in the past 12 months' were not confirmed on examination. CONCLUSIONS ISAAC questionnaire-derived symptom prevalences are sufficiently precise for comparisons between populations. Where diagnostic precision at the individual level is important, questionnaires should be validated and potentially modified in those populations beforehand, or a standardized skin examination protocol should be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Flohr
- Centre for Evidence Based Dermatology, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based genome-wide association study revealed that markers on chromosome 17q21 were linked to childhood asthma but not atopy in Caucasians, with the strongest signal being detected for the SNP rs7216389 in the ORMDL3 gene. Such association was unknown in Chinese. This study delineated the allele and genotype frequencies of 10 SNPs at chromosome 17q21, and investigated the relationship between these SNPs and asthma and plasma IgE in southern Chinese children. METHODS Asthmatic children and non-allergic controls were recruited from pediatric clinics. Their plasma total and aeroallergen-specific IgE concentrations were measured by immunoassay. Ten SNPs on 17q21 region were genotyped by multiplex SNaPshot, and their genotype associations with asthma traits analyzed using multivariate regression. RESULTS 315 patients and 192 controls were enrolled. The allele frequency for C allele of rs7216389 varied significantly from 0.232 in our controls, 0.389 in Han Chinese to 0.536 in Caucasians. Asthma diagnosis was associated with rs11650680 and five other SNPs including rs7216389 (P = 0.019-0.034), whereas atopy was associated only with rs11650680 (P = 0.0004). Linear regression revealed the covariates for plasma total IgE to be significant for rs11650680 (P = 0.008-0.0002). Haplotypic associations were found with atopy and increased plasma total IgE, with the respective odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for TTTCCGTT haplotype to be 0.21 and 0.09-0.52 (P = 0.0002) and 0.41 and 0.18-0.90 (P = 0.025). CONCLUSION Childhood asthma and atopy are associated with chromosome 17q21 in Chinese, but such association may involve genes other than ORMDL3 in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong
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Leung TF, Ko FWS, Sy HY, Wong E, Li CY, Yung E, Hui DSC, Wong GWK, Lai CKW. Identifying uncontrolled asthma in young children: clinical scores or objective variables? J Asthma 2009; 46:130-5. [PMID: 19253117 DOI: 10.1080/02770900802468533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Several international asthma guidelines emphasize the importance of assessing asthma control. However, there is limited data on the usefulness of available assessment tools in indicating disease control in young asthmatics. This study investigated the ability of Chinese version of Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) and other disease-related factors in identifying uncontrolled asthma (UA) in young children. METHODS During the same clinic visit, asthma patients 4 to 11 years of age completed C-ACT and underwent exhaled nitric oxide and spirometric measurements. Blinded to these results, the same investigator assigned Disease Severity Score (DSS) and rated asthma control according to Global Initiative for Asthma. RESULTS The mean (SD) age of 113 recruited patients was 9.1 (2.0) years, and 35% of them had UA. C-ACT, DSS and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) differed among patients with different control status (p < 0.001 for C-ACT and DSS; p = 0.014 for FEV(1)). Logistic regression confirmed that UA was associated with DSS (p < 0.001), PEF (p = 0.002), C-ACT (p = 0.011), and FEV(1) (p = 0.012). By ROC analysis, C-ACT and DSS were the best predictors for UA (p < 0.001), followed by PEF (p = 0.006) and FEV(1) (p = 0.007). When analyzed by the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) approach, the sequential use of DSS and C-ACT had 77% sensitivity and 84% specificity in identifying UA. CONCLUSIONS C-ACT is better than objective parameters in identifying young Chinese children with UA.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
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Leung TF, Li CY, Liu EKH, Tang NLS, Chan IHS, Yung E, Wong GWK, Lam CWK. Asthma and atopy are associated with DEFB1 polymorphisms in Chinese children. Genes Immun 2009; 7:59-64. [PMID: 16435024 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gene.6364279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Human beta-defensin (HBD)-1 is constitutively expressed in the airway, and hBD-1 plays crucial roles in innate immunity against respiratory pathogens. Asthma was associated with DEFB1 polymorphisms in Caucasians. This study investigates whether three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 5'-untranslated region of DEFB1 are associated with asthma phenotypes in Chinese children. Subjects aged 5-18 years were recruited from general pediatric clinics. Plasma IgE concentrations were measured by immunoassays. DEFB1 SNPs were characterized by restriction fragment length polymorphism. In all, 305 asthmatics and 156 controls were recruited. For asthma diagnosis, atopy and plasma total IgE, higher percentages of subjects with these outcomes had the minor alleles -20A and -52G (P = 0.041-0.0002). For log-transformed total IgE, the covariate was positive and significant for G-20A under recessive model (P = 0.001) and for G-52A under both recessive and codominant models (P = 0.008 and 0.035). The recessive model covariate was also positive and significant (P = 0.020) for C-44G on peripheral blood eosinophil count. The GCA haplotype of DEFB1 was significantly associated with asthma (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.64 (1.05-2.57); P = 0.029). These results suggest that DEFB1 is a candidate gene for asthma and atopy in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Caucasian families with food-allergic children have a compromised quality of life (QoL) for fear of life-threatening food reactions. Such data are limited in Asian children. Based on our recent questionnaire-based survey, 8.1% of young children recruited from local nurseries and kindergartens had parent-reported adverse food reactions (AFRs). OBJECTIVE This study tested the robustness of the Chinese Food Allergy Quality of Life-Parental Burden questionnaire (FAQL-PB) and assessed QoL in families with childhood AFR. The correlations among FAQL-PB items were evaluated by factor analysis. METHODS Two hundred and ninety-eight of 3677 children aged 2-7 years had parent-reported AFR, and 197 (66.1%) of them completed the 17 items of our self-administered FAQL-PB. Six hundred and thirty-nine (18.9%) children without AFR returned this questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to delineate the inter-relationship among the FAQL-PB items. RESULTS Cronbach alpha for our Chinese FAQL-PB was 0.976, and the median (interquartile range) FAQL-PB scores of children with and without parent-reported AFR were 0.10 (0.02-0.32) and 0 (0-0.18), respectively (P < 0.001). Factor analysis confirmed excellent correlations between FAQL-PB items. The 17 items were clustered into two factors, which explained 79.7% of the total variance. Among children with AFR, FAQL-PB scores increased with increasing numbers of foods that caused AFRs (P < 0.001 for trend). Thirty (15.2%) children had impaired QoL, defined as average item FAQL-PB score > or = 0.5. Impaired QoL was associated with AFR that was caused by >3 foods (P = 0.001), current food avoidance (P = 0.005) and AFR caused by peanut (P = 0.003), egg (P = 0.011) and cow's milk (P = 0.028), and current flexural dermatitis (P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS FAQL-PB is a robust measure of AFR-specific parental QoL, which is impaired in Chinese children with parent-reported AFR. Flexural dermatitis, current food avoidance and AFR caused by multiple foods are independent risk factors for lower parental QoL.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
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Chan IHS, Tang NLS, Leung TF, Huang W, Lam YYO, Li CY, Wong CK, Wong GWK, Lam CWK. Study of gene-gene interactions for endophenotypic quantitative traits in Chinese asthmatic children. Allergy 2008; 63:1031-9. [PMID: 18691306 DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2008.01639.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is a complex disease resulting from interactions between multiple genes and environmental factors. Study of gene-gene interactions could provide insight into the pathophysiology of asthma. METHODS We investigated the interactions among 18 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in eight candidate genes for plasma total immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration and peripheral blood (PB) eosinophil count in 298 Chinese asthmatic children and 175 controls. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction and generalized linear model were used to analyze gene-gene interactions for the quantitative traits. RESULTS A significant interaction was found between R130Q in IL13 and I50V in IL4RA for plasma total IgE concentration, with a cross-validation (CV) consistency of nine of 10 and a prediction error of 41.1% (P = 0.013). Plasma total IgE concentration was significantly higher in the high-risk than the low-risk groups (P < 0.0001). For PB eosinophil count, significant interaction was found between C-431T in TARC and RsaI_in2 in FCERIB, with a CV consistency of nine of 10 and a prediction error of 40.2% (P = 0.009). PB eosinophil count was significantly higher in the high-risk group than the low-risk groups (P < 0.0001). Generalized linear model also revealed significant gene-gene interaction for the above two endophenotypes with P = 0.013 for plasma total IgE concentration and P = 0.029 for PB eosinophil count respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest significant interactions between IL13 and IL4RA for plasma total IgE concentration, and this is the first report to show significant interaction between TARC and FCERIB for PB eosinophil count in Chinese asthmatic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- I H S Chan
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong
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Leung TF, Chan IHS, Wong GWK, Li CY, Tang NLS, Yung E, Lam CWK. Association between candidate genes and lung function growth in Chinese asthmatic children. Clin Exp Allergy 2007; 37:1480-6. [PMID: 17883727 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02799.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is caused by a complex interaction between multiple candidate genes and environmental factors. The Childhood Asthma Management Program reported lung function decline in a significant proportion of Caucasian asthmatic children, but such a relation has not been studied in other populations. Our group recently reported that interleukin-13 (IL13), interleukin-4 receptor-alpha and thymus and the activation-regulated chemokine interacted to influence asthma and raised plasma total IgE. However, there has not been any study that has addressed the genetic influences for longitudinal lung function growth. OBJECTIVE We studied the longitudinal changes in spirometric variables in Chinese asthmatic children, and investigated the influence and interactions between eight different loci in six candidate genes as well as environmental factors affecting lung function growth in these children. METHODS Spirometry was performed at baseline and study completion. Genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Multi-factor dimensionality reduction (MDR) was used to detect any gene-gene or gene-environment interaction. RESULTS We prospectively followed 131 Chinese children, aged 9.9 (3.0) years, for 4.5 (0.8) years. Their mean (standard deviation) baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was 98.6 (20.6)% of predicted, and FEV1 to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio was 77.8 (11.3)%. FEV1 and FVC increased by 210 (115) and 248 (148) mL/year during this study, and these changes were significantly larger among males (P<0.0001). Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between annual FEV1 change and C1570T of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 gene (STAT6; P=0.009). Linear regression confirmed this finding (P=0.041). Using MDR, we detected a significant 3-locus interaction between IL13 R130Q, ADRB2 R16G and STAT6 C1570T for determining change in FVC (P=0.045). CONCLUSION Our data suggest that STAT6 may influence lung function growth in asthmatic children. We also found significant interactions among several atopy-related genetic polymorphisms for influencing FVC change.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
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Ko FWS, Tam W, Wong TW, Lai CKW, Wong GWK, Leung TF, Ng SSS, Hui DSC. Effects of air pollution on asthma hospitalization rates in different age groups in Hong Kong. Clin Exp Allergy 2007; 37:1312-9. [PMID: 17845411 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02791.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To assess the relationship between levels of ambient air pollutants and hospitalization rates for asthma in Hong Kong (HK). METHODS This is a retrospective ecological study. Data of daily emergency hospital admissions to 15 major hospitals in HK for asthma and indices of air pollutants [sulphur dioxide (SO(2)), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), ozone (O(3)), particulates with an aerodynamic diameter of <10 microm particulate matter (PM(10)) and 2.5 microm (PM(2.5))] and meteorological variables from January 2000 to December 2005 were obtained from several government departments. Analysis was performed by the generalized additive models with Poisson distribution. The effects of time trend, season, other cyclical factors, temperature and humidity were adjusted. Autocorrelation and overdispersion were corrected. RESULTS Altogether, 69 716 admissions were assessed. Significant associations were found between hospital admissions for asthma and levels of NO(2), O(3), PM(10) and PM(2.5). The relative risks (RR) for hospitalization for every 10 microg/m(3) increase in NO(2), O(3), PM(10) and PM(2.5) were 1.028, 1.034, 1.019 and 1.021, respectively, at a lag day that ranged from cumulative lag 0-4 to 0-5. In a multi-pollutant model, O(3) was significantly associated with increased admissions for asthma. The younger age group (0-14 years) tended to have a higher RR for each 10 microg/m(3) increase in pollutants than those aged 15-65 years. The elderly (aged >/=65 years) had a shorter 'best' lag time to develop asthma exacerbation following exposure to pollutants than those aged <65 years. CONCLUSION Adverse effects of ambient concentrations of air pollutants on hospitalization rates for asthma are evident. Measures to improve air quality in HK are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F W S Ko
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Wong GWK, Leung TF, Ma Y, Liu EKH, Yung E, Lai CKW. Symptoms of asthma and atopic disorders in preschool children: prevalence and risk factors. Clin Exp Allergy 2007; 37:174-9. [PMID: 17250689 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02649.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Published epidemiological data suggested that asthma and allergies may be increasing in preschool children. Identification of the risk factors is important for planning possible early intervention to prevent asthma. This study was designed to measure the prevalence of, and risk factors for, asthma and atopic disorders in preschool children from Hong Kong. METHODS Children aged 2-6 years living in Hong Kong were recruited through the local nurseries and kindergartens for this study to ascertain the presence of symptoms of asthma and various possible risk factors. The parental questionnaire was developed based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 3089 children (1506 boys) from 14 nurseries and kindergartens participated in this study. The prevalence of wheeze ever and current wheeze were 16.7% and 9.3%. Two hundred and thirty-four subjects were born in mainland China and migrated to Hong Kong subsequently. When compared with children born and raised in Hong Kong, children born in mainland China had significantly lower prevalence of current wheeze (3.4% vs. 9.6%, P<0.01). Two environmental factors in the first year of life were associated with wheezing attacks within the last 12 months. They were the use of foam pillow (Odds ratio: 1.45; 95% Confidence interval: 1.04-2.00) and the use of gas as cooking fuel (1.68; 1.03-2.75). Frequent use of paracetamol was also associated with wheezing attack in the past 12 months. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the high prevalence of symptoms of atopic disorders in preschool children from Hong Kong. Early environmental exposure factors are important determinants of subsequent development of asthma symptoms in the preschool years. Further studies are needed to evaluate the possible pathogenetic role of the identified risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W K Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong.
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Wong GWK, Ticea CM, Wright JM. Blood pressure lowering efficacy of beta blockers for primary hypertension. THE COCHRANE DATABASE OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd004806.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Chan IHS, Tang NLS, Leung TF, Ma SL, Zhang YP, Wong GWK, Wong CK, Lam CWK. Association of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 gene polymorphisms with asthma and atopy in Chinese children. Allergy 2007; 62:802-9. [PMID: 17573729 DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2007.01400.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays essential roles in inflammation. Previous studies have suggested associations between prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) polymorphisms and prostaglandins production in asthma. OBJECTIVE We have investigated the effects of Chinese tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PTGS2 on asthma traits in 299 Chinese asthmatic children and 175 controls. METHODS Plasma total and allergen-specific IgE were measured by enzyme immunoassay. PTGS2.8473T-->C in the 3'-untranslated region of exon 10 and three tag SNPs covering most of the variations in PTGS2 haplotypes in Chinese were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS Among the four SNPs, only PTGS2.8473 showed significant association with asthma (P = 0.034) and atopy (P = 0.005 when compared with non-atopic controls; P = 0.023 with all controls). Carriers of the C allele had a 1.5-fold (95% confidence interval: 1.01-2.30) risk of developing asthma than those homozygous for the T allele. Multivariate regression revealed significant correlations between PTGS2.8473 and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1); P = 0.002) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR; P = 0.001) with age and gender adjusted. Patients with the C allele of PTGS2.8473 had significantly lower FEV(1) (median: 90.0%vs 98.0%; P = 0.0047) and PEFR (70.0%vs 73.5%; P = 0.0065) than those homozygous for the T allele. No significant association between plasma total and allergen-specific IgE and these SNPs or with their haplotypes was found. CONCLUSIONS PTGS2.8473 polymorphism is associated with asthma, atopy and lung function but not plasma IgE in Chinese children. This may help to explore the pharmacogenetics of COX-2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- I H S Chan
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong
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Ko FWS, Lau CYK, Leung TF, Wong GWK, Lam CWK, Lai CKW, Hui DSC. Exhaled breath condensate levels of eotaxin and macrophage-derived chemokine in stable adult asthma patients. Clin Exp Allergy 2006; 36:44-51. [PMID: 16393265 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2006.02398.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is associated with esoinophilic airway inflammation and overproduction of T-helper type 2 (Th2) lymphocyte-related cytokines. OBJECTIVE This study assessed the eosinophil chemoattractant eotaxin and Th2-specific macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) in the adult asthmatic airway. Eotaxin and MDC levels were determined in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) obtained from adult patients with asthma. METHODS Fifty-four asthmatics (20 male, mean (SD) age 40 (12) years and percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) 81.7 (20.8)) and 20 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. EBC was collected using EcoScreen by 10 min of tidal breathing with a nose clip. Concentrations of eotaxin and MDC were measured by ELISA. RESULTS Asthma patients on inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) had a higher median interquartile range (IQR) level of eotaxin than the steroid-naïve asthmatics (18.5 (17.7-20.1) vs. 17.9 (17.0-18.6) pg/mL, P=0.02) and controls (18.5 (17.7-20.1) pg/mL vs 17.4 (16.3-18.0) pg/mL, P=0.001). Eotaxin level in EBC had a significant negative correlation with the FEV(1)/forced vital capacity ratio (r=-0.43, P=0.03) in steroid-naïve asthmatics. EBC MDC level was higher in subjects on ICS than the steroid naïve asthmatics (120 (118-125) vs. 117 (116-119) pg/mL, P=0.01) and the controls (120 (118-125) vs. 117 (116-120) pg/mL, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Eotaxin and MDC could be measured in EBC of adults with asthma. EBC eotaxin and MDC levels were higher in asthmatics on ICS than the steroid-naïve asthmatics or controls. Exhaled chemokines may be potential non-invasive markers for assessing airway inflammation in asthmatics.
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Affiliation(s)
- F W S Ko
- Departments of Medicine and Therapeutics, Paediatrics and Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Ko FWS, Wang HY, Wong GWK, Leung TF, Hui DSC, Chan DPS, Zhong NS, Lai CKW. Wheezing in Chinese schoolchildren: disease severity distribution and management practices, a community-based study in Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Clin Exp Allergy 2006; 35:1449-56. [PMID: 16297141 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2005.02361.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is a common chronic disease and information on its management practices at the community level is helpful in identifying problems and improving asthma care. OBJECTIVE To assess the severity status and management of the asthma symptom of wheeze of children at the community level in Hong Kong (HK) and Guangzhou (GZ). METHODS Cross-sectional study of children aged 10 years using the International Study of Asthma and Allergic disease in Childhood (ISAAC Phase II protocol). Asthma management and lung function were assessed in 178 (98 from HK and 80 from GZ) randomly selected children with wheeze over the past 12 months. RESULTS Eighty-three percent, 11%, 6% and 0% of children suffered from intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent and severe persistent asthma, respectively, according to the frequency of their symptoms. Addition of spirometric parameter only changed the asthma severity classification in 2.8% of children. Medications were used by 30.6% and 71.3% of children for wheeze in HK and GZ, respectively. In HK, inhaled beta(2)-agonist (73.3% among the drug users) was the commonest medication used followed by inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) (23.3%). In GZ, inhaled beta(2)-agonist was used by 75.4% of children, but use of ICS (26.3%), oral beta(2)-agonist (26.3%), oral theophylline (45.6%), oral ketotifen (36.8%) and oral steroid (35.1%) were also common. ICS was only used by 11.4% of children with persistent asthma. Ten percent and 18.7% of children in HK and GZ, respectively, had emergency department visits, while 16.3% and 11.6% of children in HK and GZ, respectively, had missed school secondary to asthma over the past 1 year. CONCLUSIONS Most children in the community had intermittent asthma and addition of lung function to symptoms did not significantly affect classification of asthma severity. Significant morbidity was seen even in this group of children with mostly intermittent and mild persistent asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- F W S Ko
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, SAR
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Wong GWK, von Mutius E, Douwes J, Pearce N. Environmental determinants associated with the development of asthma in childhood. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2006; 10:242-51. [PMID: 16562701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease, and many epidemiological studies have documented an increasing trend over the past few decades. Comparative studies have shown that asthma is more prevalent in Westernised societies than in rural or developing regions. Environmental factors are likely to be important in explaining such disparities and increasing trends. Although allergen exposure and atopic sensitisation have been thought to be important in the pathogenesis of asthma, recent cross-sectional and longitudinal studies suggest that allergic sensitisation is likely a marker rather than a causative factor for asthma. There is accumulating evidence confirming the role of early exposure to infections in altering the regulation of cytokine production and reduction of subsequent development of atopic disorders. The consistent finding of a lower prevalence of asthma in subjects brought up in a farming environment and the inverse relationship between microbial exposure and asthma symptoms further support the importance of early environmental exposure affecting the risk of subsequent development of asthma. Confirmation of the pathogenetic role of these environmental determinants may allow us to develop primary preventive strategies against the development of asthma and related atopic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W K Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China.
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Leung TF, Liu EKH, Tang NLS, Ko FWS, Li CY, Lam CWK, Wong GWK. Nitric oxide synthase polymorphisms and asthma phenotypes in Chinese children. Clin Exp Allergy 2006; 35:1288-94. [PMID: 16238787 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2005.02342.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nitric oxide (NO) is a key factor for balancing T-helper type 1/T-helper type 2 immunity. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) genes have been associated with atopy and exhaled NO concentrations in Caucasians. We investigated the association between asthma traits and genetic polymorphisms in neuronal NO synthase (NOS1) and endothelial NO synthase (NOS3) in Chinese children. METHODS Asthmatic children between 5 and 18 years of age and non-allergic controls were recruited. Plasma total IgE was measured by microparticle immunoassay, whereas allergen-specific IgEs were measured by fluorescent enzyme immunoassay. Fractional exhaled NO concentration (FeNO) was measured by a chemiluminescence analyser. NOS1 C5266T and NOS3 G894T were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism, and (AAT)n polymorphism in intron 20 of NOS1 was determined by GeneScan analysis. RESULTS The mean (SD) ages of 295 asthmatics and 174 controls were 11.1 (3.8) years and 11.6 (4.0) years, respectively (P=0.162). NOS1 C5266T and NOS3 G894T were not associated with asthma, atopy or FeNO. However, significantly more subjects with T/T in NOS1 C5266T had increased plasma total IgE as compared with those with C/T or C/C (P=0.017). This SNP was also associated with sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (P=0.049). Among asthmatic patients, log-transformed plasma total IgE levels were significantly higher among those homozygous for 5266T of NOS1 [mean (SD): 2.84 (0.44) for T/T, 2.68 (0.42) for C/T, 2.59 (0.69) for C/C; P=0.021]. This study found a significant inter-ethnic difference in the allele frequencies of AAT repeats, and this polymorphism was associated with high plasma total IgE levels (P=0.044) but not FeNO (P=0.158). NOS3 G894T was not associated with any asthma or atopy phenotype. CONCLUSIONS NOS1 C5266T and AAT repeats affect plasma IgE concentrations in Chinese children. On the other hand, neither NOS1 nor NOS3 SNP was associated with FeNO or the risk of having asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Wong GWK, Liu EKH, Leung TF, Yung E, Ko FWS, Hui DSC, Fok TF, Lai CKW. High levels and gender difference of exhaled nitric oxide in Chinese schoolchildren. Clin Exp Allergy 2006; 35:889-93. [PMID: 16008675 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2005.02263.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) may represent a useful noninvasive marker of airway inflammation, but data on the reference population values in schoolchildren are limited. No reference eNO study in Asian children has been published. METHODS Levels of eNO in a sample of 531 schoolchildren aged 11-18 years recruited from five schools (three international schools) in Hong Kong were measured online by a chemiluminescence analyser according to ERS/ATS standard. Each student also completed an International Study of Asthma and Allergic disease in Childhood questionnaire. RESULTS Among the children without a physician's diagnosis of asthma or symptoms of wheeze, rhinitis and eczema, there were 258 Chinese and 33 Caucasians. In control Chinese children, the eNO level (median: interquantile range) was significantly higher (P<0.001) in males (17.0 parts per billion (p.p.b.); 10.7-36.6) than in females (10.8 p.p.b.; 7.8-17.6). When compared with Caucasian control males (11.6 p.p.b.; 8.2-19.3) and females (9.1 p.p.b.; 7.5-11.9), the Chinese children had significantly higher eNO levels for both males (P=0.011) and females (P=0.037). For Chinese asthmatic males, the median eNO (interquartile range) was 39.8 p.p.b. (12.5-73.8), and for asthmatic females, 18.0 (9.6-56.3). After controlling for sex in Chinese controls, eNO did not have any significant correlation with height, weight and body mass index or body surface area. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates a gender difference of eNO level in healthy Chinese schoolchildren. When compared with Caucasians, Chinese children have significantly higher eNO levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W K Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Leung TF, Wong GWK, Ko FWS, Lam CWK, Fok TF. Clinical and atopic parameters and airway inflammatory markers in childhood asthma: a factor analysis. Thorax 2005; 60:822-6. [PMID: 16055623 PMCID: PMC1747220 DOI: 10.1136/thx.2004.039321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have repeatedly shown weak correlations among lung function parameters, atopy, exhaled nitric oxide level (Feno), and airway inflammatory markers, suggesting that they are non-overlapping characteristics of asthma in adults. A study was undertaken to determine, using factor analysis, whether the above features represent separate dimensions of childhood asthma. METHODS Clinically stable asthmatic patients aged 7-18 years underwent spirometric testing, methacholine bronchial challenge, blood sampling for atopy markers and chemokine levels (macrophage derived chemokine (MDC), thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC), and eotaxin), Feno, and chemokines (MDC and eotaxin) and leukotriene B(4) measurements in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). RESULTS The mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and Feno of 92 patients were 92.1 (15.9)% predicted and 87.3 (65.7) ppb, respectively. 59% of patients received inhaled corticosteroids. Factor analysis selected four different factors, explaining 55.5% of total variance. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was 0.587. Plasma total and specific IgE levels, peripheral blood eosinophil percentage, and Feno loaded on factor 1; plasma TARC and MDC concentrations on factor 2; MDC, eotaxin and leukotriene B4 concentrations in EBC on factor 3; and plasma eotaxin concentration together with clinical indices including body mass index and disease severity score loaded on factor 4. Post hoc factor analyses revealed similar results when outliers were excluded. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that atopy related indices and airway inflammation are separate dimensions in the assessment of childhood asthma, and inflammatory markers in peripheral blood and EBC are non-overlapping factors of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Leung TF, Tang NLS, Lam CWK, Li AM, Fung SLM, Chan IHS, Wong GWK. RANTES G-401A polymorphism is associated with allergen sensitization and FEV1 in Chinese children. Respir Med 2005; 99:216-9. [PMID: 15715189 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2004.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
G-401A polymorphism in RANTES promoter was associated with near-fatal asthma and atopic dermatitis in children. We studied whether gain-of-function mutations in RANTES gene were associated with asthma and atopy-related traits in Chinese children. Plasma total and aeroallergen-specific IgE concentrations were measured using micro-particle immunoassay and fluorescent enzyme immunoassay, respectively. Restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to genotype RANTES G-401A and C-28G. One hundred and twenty-nine asthmatic children and 66 controls were recruited. Their mean logarithmic plasma total IgE concentrations were 2.53 and 1.98, respectively (P<0.0001). RANTES G-401A was not associated with physician-diagnosed asthma (P = 0.408). However, RANTES G-401A allele was significantly associated with IgE sensitization to cat (odds ratio 2.35; 95% CI 1.15-4.77; P = 0.010). Those homozygous for -401A had higher plasma cat-specific IgE levels (P = 0.034). Subjects having -401A were also more likely to have mold-specific IgE (odds ratio 3.82; 95% CI 1.24-12.14; P = 0.007). On spirometry, those with -401A/ A had lower forced expiratory volume in 1-s (FEV1; P = 0.044). RANTES C-28G was not associated with any outcome in this study. In conclusion, the gain-of-function mutation at -401 of RANTES promoter is associated with sensitization to cat and mold allergens and FEV1 in Chinese children.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies have reported an increase in the prevalence of asthma and related atopic disorders. The lack of standardized methodologies and 'objective' measurements make reliable comparison and monitoring of trends of asthma very difficult. METHODS In this study, a total of 3321 schoolchildren aged 13-14 years were recruited for study using the Phase III Protocol of the International Study of Asthma and Allergic disease in Childhood (ISAAC). The results were compared with those obtained in the Phase I ISAAC study (1994-95), which used the identical and validated core questionnaires. RESULTS The prevalence rates of physicians' diagnosis of asthma were similar in the two surveys (11.2% and 10.2%), but the prevalence rates of wheeze (written questionnaire) in the past year have decreased from 12.4% in 1994-95 to 8.7% in 2002 (P<0.001). For the video questionnaire, all asthmatic symptoms in the preceding 12 months were significantly lower in 2002 when compared with those in 1994-95. Among the subjects with diagnosed asthma, the prevalence rates of wheeze in the past 12 months (written questionnaire) has decreased from 39.1% to 27.6% (P<0.001). The prevalence rates of having wheezing attack at least once per month (video questionnaire) has decreased from 10.5% to 5.6% (P=0.013). CONCLUSION Using the same standardized and validated ISAAC questionnaire, the prevalence rates of asthma symptoms in Hong Kong Chinese schoolchildren have decreased since 1994. The exact reasons for such trend remain to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W K Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
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Leung TF, Wong GWK, Ko FWS, Lam CWK, Fok TF. Increased macrophage-derived chemokine in exhaled breath condensate and plasma from children with asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 2004; 34:786-91. [PMID: 15144472 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2004.1951.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type 2 helper T lymphocyte-specific chemokines including macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and eotaxin are important mediators for allergic airway inflammation. OBJECTIVE We investigated whether these chemokines can be detected in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and their relation to childhood asthma. METHODS Asthmatics recruited from paediatric clinics of a university teaching hospital were classified into intermittent asthma (IA) and persistent asthma (PA) according to Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. EBC was collected by a disposable collection kit, whereas fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) was measured by a chemiluminescence analyser. Concentrations of MDC, TARC and eotaxin in both EBC and plasma were measured using sandwich enzyme immunoassay. The intra-subject reproducibility of exhaled chemokine measurements was determined by co-efficients of variation (CV). RESULTS Forty-eight patients with PA, 36 children with IA and 18 controls were recruited. MDC and eotaxin were present in EBC from nearly all subjects, whereas TARC could be measured in EBC from 33 (32%) subjects only. The median MDC concentration in EBC was higher in PA (117 pg/mL) as compared with IA (106 pg/mL) and controls (105 pg/mL; P=0.003 for both). The median plasma MDC concentration in PA (648 pg/mL) was also higher than that in IA (520 pg/mL; P=0.002) and controls (490 pg/mL; P=0.008). The median plasma TARC concentration was also increased in PA as compared with IA (72 pg/mL vs. 35 pg/mL; P=0.004). MDC concentrations in EBC were lower in patients with PA who received high-dose inhaled corticosteroid (P=0.005). FENO was significantly higher in asthmatics than controls (P<0.0001), but it was not associated with chemokines in EBC or plasma. The mean (range) CV for measuring MDC, TARC and eotaxin in EBC (n=6) were 5.5 (2.0-7.2%), 8.8 (3.6-14.4%) and 5.2 (2.8-7.9%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that MDC in EBC and MDC and TARC in plasma are increased in children with PA as compared with IA or control. MDC concentrations in EBC are suppressed in patients on high-dose inhaled corticosteroid treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Departments of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Leung TF, Ng PC, Cheng FWT, Lyon DJ, So KW, Hon EKL, Li AM, Li CK, Wong GWK, Nelson EAS, Hui J, Sung RYT, Yam MC, Fok TF. Infection control for SARS in a tertiary paediatric centre in Hong Kong. J Hosp Infect 2004; 56:215-22. [PMID: 15003670 PMCID: PMC7124203 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2003.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2003] [Accepted: 11/25/2003] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an emerging infectious disease. After the appearance of an index patient in Hong Kong in February 2003, SARS outbreaks occurred rapidly in hospitals and spread to the community. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a triage policy and risk-stratified infection control measures in preventing nosocomial SARS infection among paediatric healthcare workers (HCWs) at the Prince of Wales Hospital, a general hospital to which children with SARS are referred in Hong Kong. The acute paediatric wards were stratified into three areas: (1) ultra high-risk area, (2) high-risk area and (3) moderate-risk area according to different risk levels of nosocomial SARS transmission. The implementation of different levels of infection control precautions was guided by this risk stratification strategy. Between 13 March and 23 June, 38 patients with probable and suspected SARS, 90 patients with non-SARS pneumonia, and 510 patients without pneumonia were admitted into our unit. All probable SARS cases were isolated in negative-pressure rooms. Twenty-six HCWs worked in the ultra high-risk area caring for SARS patients and 88 HCWs managed non-SARS patients in other ward areas. None of the HCWs developed clinical features suggestive of SARS. In addition, there was no nosocomial spread of SARS-associated coronavirus to other patients or visitors during this period. In conclusion, stringent infection control precautions, appropriate triage and prompt isolation of potential SARS patients may have contributed to a lack of nosocomial spread and HCW acquisition of SARS in our unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W K Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
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Sandford AJ, Chan HW, Wong GWK, Lai CKW, Chan-Yeung M. Candidate genetic polymorphisms for asthma in Chinese schoolchildren from Hong Kong. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2004; 8:519-27. [PMID: 15137526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polymorphisms in several genes have been associated with asthma, atopy and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in white and Japanese populations. In this study we tested for associations of 11 polymorphisms with wheeze and asthma in 10-year-old Chinese schoolchildren. METHODS The subjects were 107 children who had wheeze in the last 12 months and 118 without wheeze in the last 12 months. They were randomly selected from 3110 children who took part in Phase II of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. These schoolchildren underwent questionnaire, spirometry and methacholine challenge testing. RESULTS The A allele of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFA) G-308A polymorphism was significantly associated with wheeze in the last 12 months (odds ratio [OR] 2.1, P = 0.04) and current asthma (OR 2.6, P = 0.006). When stratified by gender, these associations were only seen in the female study participants. In girls, the OR for the TNFA-308A allele and wheeze in the last 12 months was 3.6 (P = 0.01) and for current asthma it was 6.0 (P = 0.0006). CONCLUSION The A allele of the TNFA G-308A polymorphism was a risk factor for asthma-related phenotypes in girls but not boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Sandford
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a newly recognised and highly contagious respiratory infection caused by a new strain of coronavirus. The disease can result in progressive respiratory failure in adults and the mortality rate has been reported to be 8-15%. This infection spreads by droplet transmission and children appear to acquire SARS through close household contact exposure to infected adults. Disease severity is, however, much milder in the paediatric age group. The common laboratory findings in infected children and adolescents include lymphopaenia and elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine phosphokinase. Air space consolidation is commonly seen during the course of the illness although chest radiographs are normal on presentation in half of the cases. The pathophysiology of SARS appears to be related to immunological dysregulation in response to the coronavirus infection. The optimal treatment of SARS in children remains to be determined. No case fatality in infected children has been reported. The early and proper isolation of infected adults, meticulous infection control measures in the hospital setting, exhaustive contact tracing and quarantine measures are important steps in preventing the spread of the disease among health care workers and into the community. The development of a sensitive and rapid test for early diagnosis is underway. Further controlled trials are necessary to define the optimal treatment of this infection in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, HKSAR, China
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Ma Y, Li XF, Zhao J, Wong GWK, Zhou CS, Chen YZ. [Relationships between the diameters of Bacille Calmette-Guerin scars and asthma, atopy in urban and rural Beijing children]. Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi 2003; 26:526-30. [PMID: 14521754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the diameters of Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) scars between asthmatic (allergic) students and normal students, and to compare the diameters of BCG scars in children in rural Beijing area with those in urban Beijing area, and to compare the prevalence of asthmatic (allergic) symptoms and atopy between rural and urban Beijing students. METHODS Sampled by cluster-random Method, 819 urban school children and 1 044 rural school children aged 13 - 14 years were recruited for the Beijing arm of the phase III international study of asthma and allergies in childhood. The children answered the core questionnaires, and underwent skin prick test for 13 allergens, and were checked for BCG scars on their arms. RESULTS (1) In both rural and urban Beijing students, the mean diameters of BCG scars in those with asthma (allergy) (asthma ever, wheeze ever, current wheeze within 12 months, hay fever ever, repeated rash ever, eczema ever, allergic rhinitis, atopy, high-sensitivity or were diagnosed asthma) were (7.0 +/- 2.1) mm-(8.8 +/- 2.8) mm, which were not significantly different from those of (7.2 +/- 2.7) mm-(8.2 +/- 2.2) mm in normal students (P > 0.05). (2) Compared to the urban students, the mean diameter of BCG scars in the rural students was (8.2 +/- 2.3) mm, significantly larger than that of (7.3 +/- 2.9) mm in the urban students (P < 0.01). The prevalence of asthma (allergy) (asthma ever, wheeze ever, current wheeze within 12 months, hay fever ever, repeated rash ever, eczema ever, allergic rhinitis, atopy, high-sensitivity or diagnosed asthma) were 0.6% - 11.4% in the rural Beijing students, significantly lower than that of 3.1% - 35.7% in urban Beijing schoolchildren (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The diameters of BCG scars were not significantly different between asthmatic (allergic) students and normal students. The diameters of BCG scars in the rural students were significantly larger than those in the urban students. The prevalence of asthma and allergy in the rural children were significantly lower than that in the urban students. The results suggest that there is difference in immunity between rural and urban children from early life, which may be caused by the different living environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ma
- Asthma Clinic and Education Center, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The factors accounting for the low 'ever breastfeeding' rate in Hong Kong remain unclear. The objective of this survey was to study the intention and planned duration of breastfeeding in Chinese women in Hong Kong, and to investigate the sociodemographic and atopic factors affecting the intention to breastfeed. METHODS All Chinese mothers who were Hong Kong residents and who delivered their babies in a University teaching hospital were given a self administered and anonymous Chinese questionnaire within 1 day postpartum. The questionnaire included items on sociodemographic data, the presence of allergic diseases in the families, and the intention and planned duration of breastfeeding for their newborn babies. RESULTS A total of 1374 eligible questionnaires were collected. About one-third of mothers were born outside Hong Kong and the majority (78%) of them were aged between 25 and 40 years. Logistic regression revealed that only socioeconomic factors, namely older maternal age (odds ratio (OR) 2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-3.89), parity (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.02-9.27) and higher educational background (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.92-4.27), significantly affected the intention to breastfeed. In addition, mothers born outside Hong Kong and those with first babies, had a longer intended duration of breastfeeding (P-values < 0.001 and 0.033, respectively). A family history of atopic disorders in parents or siblings did not influence the breastfeeding intention of these Chinese mothers. CONCLUSION Several sociodemographic factors, rather than a history of atopic disorders, of Chinese mothers in Hong Kong affected their intention to breastfeed and the planned duration of breastfeeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Chen YZ, Ma Y, Wang HY, Wang HJ, Zhao J, Cao L, Li S, Wong GWK, Zhong NS, Fok TF, Lai CKW. [Individual allergens as risk factors for asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in Chinese children]. Zhonghua Er Ke Za Zhi 2003; 41:538-41. [PMID: 14746684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the relationship between individual allergens with current wheezing and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in schoolchildren from three chinese cities: Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. METHODS Community-based random samples of 10-yr-old schoolchildren from the 3 cities were recruited for study using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase II protocol. The subjects were studied by parental questionnaires (n = 10,902), skin-prick tests (n = 3478), and methacholine challenge tests (n = 608). RESULTS The highest prevalence rates of wheezing in the past 12 months (Beijing, 3.8%; Guangzhou, 3.4%; Hong Kong, 5.8%) and atopy (Beijing, 23.9%; Guangzhou, 30.8%; Hong Kong, 41.2%, defined as having <or= 1 positive skin-prick tests,) were seen in schoolchildren from Hong Kong. The highest prevalence rates of BHR (Beijing, 33.2%; Guangzhou, 45.8%; Hong Kong, 30.7%) were seen in schoolchildren from Guangzhou. Multivariate-logistic regression analyses revealed that sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus [odds ratio ((OR)) = 4.48; 95% confidence interval ((CI)); 3.02-6.66], cat ((OR) 2.85; 95% (CI) 1.24-6.50), Dermatophagoides farinae (DF) ((OR) 2.41, 95% (CI) 1.65-3.51) and Mixed grass pollen ((OR) 2.85, 95% (CI) 1.24-6.50) were significantly associate with current wheezing atopy ((OR) 1.29, 95% (CI) 0.74-2.24), was not an independent risk factor for current wheezing in children from any of the three cities. Furthermore, atopy ((OR) 2.53, 95% (CI) 1.93-6.97) were significantly associated with BHR. CONCLUSION The authors confirmed that sensitization to house dust mite and cat was significantly associated with current wheezing and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in Chinese schoolchildren.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-zhi Chen
- Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020 China
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44
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Abstract
Recent studies suggested the T-helper cells type-2 lymphocytes-specific thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and monocyte-derived chemokine (MDC) are useful inflammatory markers for chronic asthma. However, their roles in assessing the severity of acute asthma are unknown. This study aims to evaluate the serial changes of plasma TARC and MDC concentrations in children with asthmatic exacerbation. All patients with acute asthma were treated with systemic corticosteroid for 5 days. The severity of asthmatic exacerbation was classified according to the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines. Plasma TARC and MDC concentrations were measured by sandwich enzyme immunoassays. Sixteen children, with a median (interquartile range) age of 9.3 (7.2-10.6) yrs and asthmatic exacerbation, were recruited. Plasma TARC concentration showed inverse correlation with peak expiratory flow rate at presentation. The median plasma TARC concentration was highest during the acute attacks (46 pg x mL(-1)) as compared to those levels at 1 (31 pg x mL(-1)) and 5 weeks (32 pg x mL(-1)) following treatment. The median plasma MDC level similarly decreased from 698 pg x mL(-1) at baseline to 261 pg x mL(-1) 1 week later, but increased back to 574 pg x mL(-1) at 5 weeks. These results suggest that plasma T-helper cells type-2 lymphocytes-specific thymus and activation-regulated chemokine but not monocyte-derived chemokine concentration may be a useful inflammatory marker in assessing asthmatic exacerbation in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- T F Leung
- Dept of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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45
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Abstract
AIMS To study the ocular manifestations and their severity in children with Graves' disease. METHODS All patients with Graves' disease having regular follow up in a paediatric endocrine clinic were recruited for the study. A comprehensive ophthalmic assessment including ocular motility, exophthalmometry, intraocular pressure (IOP), slit lamp, and fundus examinations was performed. RESULTS 83 patients (72 female, 11 male) aged 16 years or below were examined. All are Chinese. Ocular symptoms occurred in 12 patients. Ocular signs of ophthalmopathy were documented in 52 patients (62.7%). Most of them presented with eyelid abnormalities such as lid oedema, lid lag, and lagophthalmos, whereas lower lid retraction was the commonest clinical sign noted (38.6%). Diffuse conjunctival injection was found in four patients (4.8%). 10 patients (12.0%) had mild proptosis of less than 3 mm. Only one patient (1.2%) had limited extraocular motility in extreme gaze. Punctate epithelial corneal erosions were reported in 11 patients (13.3%). CONCLUSIONS This is the largest series on the ocular complications of childhood Graves' disease in the literature. Although 52 patients (62.7%) were identified with positive ocular changes, none of them had visual threatening complications or debilitating myopathy.
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46
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Graves' disease is associated with a polymorphism at position 49 in exon 1 of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) gene in Caucasians and Japanese. A high incidence of childhood Graves' disease has been documented in Hong Kong Chinese. The aims of this study were to investigate the CTLA-4 gene A-G polymorphism association in Chinese children with Graves' disease. PATIENTS AND DESIGN One hundred and twenty-three Chinese children with Graves' disease (104 girls and 19 boys) and 158 racially matched healthy controls were recruited for the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood samples. The dimorphism at position 49 A-G was analysed by polymerase chain reaction, single-strand conformation polymorphism and restriction fragment-length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS The genotype distribution and allele frequencies of children with Graves' disease differed significantly from those of the controls (P = 0.0023 and P = 0.022, respectively). The presence of at least one G allele (GG or AG) was associated with an increased risk of Graves' disease (OR = 6.8, 95% CI = 2.0-36.1; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that CTLA-4 49 A-G polymorphism is associated with Graves' disease in Chinese children. The CTLA-4 49 G allele confers an increased risk of childhood Graves' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Yung
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
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47
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Wong GWK, Li ST, Hui DSC, Fok TF, Zhong NS, Chen YZ, Lai CKW. Individual allergens as risk factors for asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in Chinese children. Eur Respir J 2002; 19:288-93. [PMID: 11871366 DOI: 10.1183/09031936.02.002319.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The role of allergen sensitization in the development of asthma in the Chinese is not clear. This study aims to determine the relationship of sensitization to individual allergens, and the development of asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in schoolchildren from three Chinese cities: Hong Kong, Beijing and Guangzhou. Community-based random samples of 10-yr-old schoolchildren from three Chinese cities were recruited for study using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase II protocol. Subjects were studied by parental questionnaires (n=10,902), skin-prick tests (n=3,479), and methacholine challenge tests (n=608). The prevalence rates of wheeze in the past 12 months (Hong Kong, 5.8%; Beijing, 3.8%; Guangzhou, 3.4%) and atopy (Hong Kong, 41.2%; Beijing, 23.9%; Guangzhou, 30.8%) were highest in schoolchildren from Hong Kong. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (odds ratio (OR)=4.48; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.02-6.66), cat (2.59; 1.67-4.03), Dermatophagoides farinae (2.41; 1.65-3.51) and mixed grass pollen (2.85; 1.24-6.50) were significantly associated with current wheeze. Atopy, defined as having > or = 1 positive skin-prick tests, was not an independent risk factor for current wheeze in children from any of the three cities. Furthermore, atopy (OR=2.53; 95% CI: 1.07-5.97), sensitization to cat (3.01; 1.39-6.52) and D. farinae (3.67; 1.93-6.97) were significantly associated with BHR. The authors confirmed that sensitization to house dust mite and cat was significantly associated with current wheeze and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in Chinese schoolchildren. However, the difference in the prevalence rate of atopic sensitization cannot explain the higher prevalence of childhood asthma in Hong Kong, when compared with those children from Beijing and Guangzhou.
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Affiliation(s)
- G W K Wong
- Dept of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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Ng PC, Lam CWK, Wong GWK, Lee CH, Cheng PS, Fok TF, Chan IHS, Wong E, Cheung K, Lee SY. Changes in markers of bone metabolism during dexamethasone treatment for chronic lung disease in preterm infants. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2002; 86:F49-54. [PMID: 11815549 PMCID: PMC1721351 DOI: 10.1136/fn.86.1.f49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AIM To characterise the change in serum and urinary bone markers in the early postnatal period, and to assess the effect of systemic corticosteroid on bone metabolism in preterm infants. METHODS Bone formation was quantified by measurement of serum concentrations of bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and osteocalcin. Bone resorption was measured by monitoring creatinine adjusted urinary deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) concentration. Blood and urinary samples were collected from corticosteroid treated infants (n = 19) immediately before the start (T(d-pre)), three weeks after the start (T(d-end)), and two (T(d-post2)) and four weeks (T(d-post4)) after the end of the dexamethasone course. Untreated patients (n = 30) had specimens taken at week 3 (T(wk-3)), 6 (T(wk-6)), 8 (T(wk-8)), and 10 (T(wk-10)) of postnatal age. RESULTS Serum concentrations of BALP and osteocalcin at T(d-end) were significantly lower than pretreatment levels and the levels at the corresponding time point (T(wk-6)) of the non-treatment group. In contrast, urinary Dpd concentration at T(d-end) was not significantly decreased compared with the pretreatment level. However, it was significantly lower than the urinary Dpd concentration at T(wk-6) of the non-treatment group. The rate of increase in lower leg length was significantly higher in the non-treatment group between weeks 3 and 6 than in the corresponding period during dexamethasone treatment in the corticosteroid group. CONCLUSION Systemic corticosteroid causes appreciable suppression of serum BALP and osteocalcin and, to a lesser extent, urinary Dpd. The results suggest that corticosteroid inhibits bone growth mainly by decreasing bone formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Ng
- Department of Paediatrics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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