Allergic diseases and atopic sensitization in children related to farming and anthroposophic lifestyle – the PARSIFAL study

Alfvén, Tobias; Braun-Fahrländer, C; Brunekreef, Bert; Mutius, Erika von; Riedler, Josef; Scheynius, Annika; Hage, Marianne van; Wickman, Magnus; Benz, Marcus R.; Budde, J.; Michels, Karin B.; Schram, D.; Üblagger, E.; Waser, Marco; Pershagen, Göran

doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2005.00939.x

Cited by 282 publications

(259 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The etiological mechanisms are unclear, but probiotic bacteria or other currently unidentified non-microbial components in farm milk may play a role. Evidence from other populations with anthroposophic lifestyles, which are characterized by (among other things) diets rich in (probiotic) microbes [58], suggests that this protective effect may not be limited only to the farming environment; however, results have not always been consistent [59]. Similar to the recent 'rediscovery' of Blackley's observation of the protective farming environment, the idea that probiotic bacteria may affect the immune system and have beneficial effects on human health was first proposed more than a century ago by a contemporary of Blackley, the Russian Nobel-prize laureate Elias Metchnikoff [60].…”

Section: Protective Exposuresmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…A related issue is that a number of studies have found consistently low prevalences of allergies and asthma in farmers' children, both in high-income countries such as Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Europe [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20], and in lowincome countries including Mongolia and Southern Africa [21,22]. These protective effects for allergies and asthma have also been observed in adult farmers [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36], despite the increased risks of other respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, reduced lung function and farmers' lung [37].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Protective effects of farming on allergies and asthma: have we learnt anything since 1873?

Douwes

Brooks

Pearce

2009

Expert Review of Clinical Immunology

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Section: Protective Exposuresmentioning

confidence: 88%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Protective effects of farming on allergies and asthma: have we learnt anything since 1873?

Douwes

Brooks

Pearce

2009

Expert Review of Clinical Immunology

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“…This suggests that the protective effects of early life exposures may eventually wear off. Numerous studies demonstrated lower odds of AD and allergic disease in farm and rural children, though the inverse associations were more consistent for respiratory atopy [67,68]. The protective effects may be related to exposure to manure and microbial exposure in the home [68,69].…”

Section: Hygiene Hypothesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental risk factors and their role in the management of atopic dermatitis

Kantor

Silverberg

2016

Expert Review of Clinical Immunology

278

225

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Introduction-The etiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) is multifactorial with interaction between genetics, immune and environmental factors.Areas covered-We review the role of prenatal exposures, irritants and pruritogens, pathogens, climate factors, including temperature, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, outdoor and indoor air pollutants, tobacco smoke exposure, water hardness, urban vs. rural living, diet, breastfeeding, probiotics and prebiotics on AD.Expert commentary-The increased global prevalence of AD cannot be attributed to genetics alone, suggesting that evolving environmental exposures may trigger and/or flare disease in predisposed individuals. There is a complex interplay between different environmental factors, including individual use of personal care products and exposure to climate, pollution, food and other exogenous factors. Understanding these complex risk factors is crucial to developing targeted interventions to prevent the disease in millions. Moreover, patients require counseling on optimal regimens for minimization of exposure to irritants and pruritogens and other harmful exposures.

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“…Children growing up on small dairy farms have a remarkably low incidence of allergy compared with other children growing up in rural environments, but not on a farm [1–3]. Frequent contact with livestock and fodder [4] and consumption of unpasteurized milk [5] have been associated with protection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Late introduction of fish and eggs is associated with increased risk of allergy development – results from the FARMFLORA birth cohort

Jönsson

Barman

Brekke

et al. 2017

Food & Nutrition Research

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The prevalence of allergy is markedly low in children growing up on farms. An increasing number of studies indicate that the timing of food introduction may affect allergy development. We aimed to investigate if protection against allergy in farm environments may be mediated through differences in food-introduction practices between farm and non-farm families, using an explorative approach. Twenty-eight farm and 37 non-farm children were included in the FARMFLORA birth cohort. Practices of breastfeeding and introduction of formulas and complementary foods were collected by questionnaires at 6, 12, and 18 months of age. Allergy was diagnosed by pediatricians at 3 years of age. The only difference in food-introduction practices observed between farm and non-farm children was an earlier introduction of nuts in farmers (median month: 11 [IQR: 8–6] in farmers, 15 [12–19] in non-farmers). One farm child (4%) and 10 non-farm children (27%) were allergic at 3 years of age. Lower risk of allergy development was associated with early exclusive breastfeeding (continuous variable; OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.39–0.89), but also having received eggs (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.13–0.54) and fish (logistic regression not applicable, P = 0.01 in likelihood ratio testing [χ2]) at 10 months of age or earlier compared to later. Our results were not affected by reverse causation, as judged by a questionnaire sent to the families in retrospect. Timing of introduction of complementary foods is unlikely to contribute to the lower risk of allergy among farm children. Although early exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a lower rate of allergy development, postponed introduction of complementary foods might increase the risk of developing allergy. Owing to the limited sample size, our results are only indicative, but support prior findings.

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Allergic diseases and atopic sensitization in children related to farming and anthroposophic lifestyle – the PARSIFAL study

Abstract: This study indicates that growing up on a farm, and to a lesser extent leading an anthroposophic life style may confer protection from both sensitization and allergic diseases in childhood.

Cited by 282 publications

References 24 publications

Protective effects of farming on allergies and asthma: have we learnt anything since 1873?

Protective effects of farming on allergies and asthma: have we learnt anything since 1873?

Environmental risk factors and their role in the management of atopic dermatitis

Late introduction of fish and eggs is associated with increased risk of allergy development – results from the FARMFLORA birth cohort

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