Combinations of self‐reported rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma predicts IgE sensitization in more than 25,000 Danes

Abstract

Background Allergic rhinitis (AR), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), and asthma composing multiple phenotypes and improved understanding of these phenotypes and their respective risk factors are needed. Objectives The objective of this study was to define the prevalence of AR, AC, and asthma and their association with allergen‐specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) sensitization in a large cohort of blood donors and identify risk factors. Methods From the nationwide population‐based Danish Blood Donor Study, 52,976 participants completed an electronic questionnaire including AR, AC, asthma, allergic predisposition, and childhood residence. Of these, 25,257 were additionally tested for sIgE to inhalation allergens (Phadiatop). Results The prevalence of sIgE sensitization, AR, AC, and asthma was 30%, 19%, 15%, and 9%, respectively. The youngest birth cohorts had the highest prevalence of sIgE sensitization and symptoms of asthma, AR, and AC, and for asthma, they apparently experienced symptoms at an earlier age. The sIgE sensitization was positively associated with male sex. The sIgE seroprevalence was higher in participants with both AR and AC (ARC) than in participants with either AR or AC. Allergic predisposition and sIgE sensitization increased the risk of the diseases, while farm upbringing was associated with reduced prevalence of ARC, however, only in sIgE sensitized participants. Conclusion Birth year, childhood residence, sIgE sensitization, and allergic predisposition were associated with asthma, AR, and AC prevalence. Individuals with self‐reported ARC represent a primarily sIgE‐positive phenotype, while those with either AR or AC represent more diverse phenotypes.

Associative factors for atopic dermatitis and other atopic diseases in middle‐aged adults: A population‐based birth cohort study among 5373 subjects

“… 10 In these studies, the age range was wider (16–75 years), and the definition of AD was different from the definition used in our study. Risk factors for AR, AC, and asthma were studied in adults; in a Danish study ( n = 52,976), upbringing on a farm with livestock compared to other levels of urbanization had a protective effect on allergic rhino‐conjunctivitis, 1 which was also seen in the current study. The protective effect of farm upbringing on the triad of AD, asthma, and AR or their different combinations was not confirmed in another setup.…”

“…Corresponding findings were reported in a recent Danish study ( n = 52,976), in which sensitization to common inhalant allergens was a risk factor for AR, AC, and asthma. 1 …”

“…Atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), and asthma are common in adults 1 , 2 with a significant effect on the quality of life 3 , 4 , 5 and work performance. 3 , 4 , 5 The association between asthma and AR with AD in adults is well established, but the association of AC with AD is still uncertain.…”

Rhino Conjunctivitis and Asthma Among Seafood Processing Workers in Greenland. A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Of the participants, 90% were smokers or former smokers. Smoking has been mentioned as a risk factor for developing occupational asthma among crab processing workers ( 28 ), but a new, large Danish study have indicated that smoking is a protective factor in having asthma ( 29 ). In the present study, the number of never smokers was so small that it did not make sense to examine possible differences in the risk of asthma between smokers and never smokers.…”

Ocular allergy in children and adolescents

“…The second self-reported manifestation of allergy among healthy Danish donors was AC (15%). 16 The frequency of ocular symptoms was higher in girls than in boys, except in vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). Genetic, hormonal, and cosmetic factors are being investigated as possible causes.…”