Asthma and Risk of Selective IgA Deficiency or Common Variable Immunodeficiency: A Population-Based Case-Control Study

Abstract

Objectives To determine the association between a prior history of asthma and diagnosis of sIgAD/CVID. Methods The study was designed as a population-based case-control study, which included sIgAD/CVID cases who met the PAGID/ESID diagnostic criteria from the residents of Olmsted County, MN, in January 1, 1964 through December 31, 2008. Each case had 4 age- and gender-matched controls (two from the community and two from a list of individuals who had undergone an immune work up). We ascertained asthma status by applying predetermined criteria for asthma. Results We identified 39 sIgAD/CVID cases; 26 (66.7%) had sIgAD and the remaining cases had CVID. Of the 39 cases, 51.3% were male and 97.1% were Caucasians. The mean age at the index date (time when one met the criteria) of sIgAD/CVID was 34.2 years. Of the 39 cases, 9 (23%) had a history of asthma prior to index date of sIgAD/CVID; whereas of the 156 controls, 13 (10%) had a history of asthma prior to index date (OR: 2.77, 95%CI: 1.09-7.06, P=.03). A history of asthma (before or after the index date of sIgAD/CVID) was more prevalent among sIgAD/CVID cases (31%) than matched controls (12%) (OR: 3.57, 95%CI: 1.50-8.51, P=.01). Conclusions Asthmatics are more likely to have a diagnosis of sIgAD/CVID compared to non-asthmatics. This association may potentially account for increased risks of bacterial infections among some individuals with asthma.

Risks for infection in patients with asthma (or other atopic conditions): Is asthma more than a chronic airway disease?

“…137 A history of asthma before the index date of sIgAD/CVID (OR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.09-7.06) and a history of asthma (before or after the index date of sIgAD/CVID) was more prevalent in sIgAD/CVID cases than in their matched controls (OR, 3.57; 95% CI, 1.50-8.51). These data suggest that asthma or its underlying immune mechanisms might affect kinetics in the maturation of B cells into IgA- (or other immunoglobulin)-producing plasma cells (eg, isotype switching defect or postswitch defect).…”

Causes of chronic productive cough: An approach to management

“…Patients with CVID may also experience repeated infections of other sites of the body including the skin, soft tissues, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract [103,112]. There is some evidence that asthmatics may be at greater risk of CVID than non-asthmatics, and this has been suggested as a potential reason for the increased risk of respiratory infection noted in asthmatic patients [114].…”

What Does Tympanostomy Tube Placement in Children Teach Us About the Association Between Atopic Conditions and Otitis Media?

“…113 A history of asthma before the incidence date of selective IgA deficiency/CVID (OR: 2.77; 95% CI, 1.09-7.06) was more prevalent in sIgAD/CVID cases than in their matched controls (OR: 3.57; 95% CI, 1.50-8.51). These results potentially suggest asthma, or the associated immune mechanisms, might influence the maturation of B cells into immunoglobulin-producing plasma cells (e.g., isotype switching defect or post-switch defect).…”