A study of IgE sensitization and skin response to histamine in Asian-Pacific American adults

Abstract

Allergic disorders and skin response to histamine have been noted to vary in different ethnicities. We investigated IgE-mediated allergic sensitization and skin response to histamine in Asian Pacific Americans (APAs), black and Hispanic Americans, and white adults. A retrospective questionnaire-based study was performed of 2222 adults presenting at a New York City allergy referral center from 1994 to 2003. Questionnaire data included sex, age, and ethnicity and personal and family history of atopic disorders. Skin-prick test (SPT) data included saline and histamine controls and response to a standardized panel of 10 aeroallergens. APA patients had a lower odds of asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-0.89; p = 0.005) and/or animal allergies (aOR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.50-0.82; p = 0.0003). Histamine response was not significantly different in APA (aOR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.73-1.12; p = 0.36) or Hispanic Americans (aOR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.85-1.24; p = 0.76), but was higher in black Americans (aOR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.67-3.21; p< 0.0001). APA had higher odds of a positive SPT to trees (aOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.16-1.91; p = 0.002), grasses (aOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.05-1.43; p = 0.02), feathers (aOR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.31-2.09; p < 0.0001), and cockroaches (aOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.10-1.62; p = 0.005). Moreover, APA had a higher total number of positive SPTs when compared with white patients (5.5 ± 3.2 versus 4.9 ± 3.3; aOR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.10-1.62 p = 0.004). APA adults in our patient population had more IgE sensitizations but not an increased skin response to histamine. In contrast, black Americans had increased skin response to histamine.

Association of body mass index and season with histamine skin reactivity in Chinese children with allergic rhinitis

“…In addition, the seasonal variation of histamine reactivity was also analyzed in the present study. 5,7 Nevertheless, the present study has several limitations. First, the sample size was too small to draw firm conclusions.…”

Histamine skin reactivity increases with body mass index in Korean children

“…Histamine skin reactivity can differ depending on race and age [24]. Other studies have shown that skin test results had seasonal variations [10,12]. However, the present study has a relatively homogeneous population sample consisting of Korean children.…”

Measurement and interpretation of skin prick test results

“…To even further increase the accuracy of SPT results, the HEP-index can be calculated, to rule out differences in skin reactivity. There are several factors that contribute to this difference, e.g., poly-sensitised patients and patients with mould sensitisation have significantly higher skin reactions [ 14 ] and the skin response varies in different ethnicities [ 15 ]. Furthermore, differences in technique of performing SPTs (inter-observer variability) contribute to the variation in wheal size [ 4 ].…”