Cross‐sectional comparison of the characteristics of respiratory allergy in immigrants and Italian children

Lombardi, Carlo; Fiocchi, Alessandro; Raffetti, Elena; Donato, Francesco; Canonica, Giorgio Walter; Passalacqua, Giovanni

doi:10.1111/pai.12250

Cited by 16 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…This finding is in agreement with the higher mortality noticed in populations with lower income, such as black or Hispanic in the United States. However, differently from economical issues, racial factors at least in youngsters seemed not to affect asthma severity [17]. Of note, according to a large USA study that investigated the outcomes of patients hospitalized for asthma, race was not relevant as a risk factor for hospital deaths.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatal asthma; is it still an epidemic?

Vianello

Caminati

Crivellaro

et al. 2016

World Allergy Organization Journal

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BackgroundAsthma mortality has declined since the 1980s. Nevertheless the World Health Organization (WHO) identified asthma as responsible for 225.000 deaths worldwide in 2005, and 430.000 fatal cases are expected by 2030. Some unexpected and concentrated fatal asthma events all occurred between 2013 and 2015 in Veneto, a North Eastern region of Italy, which prompted a more in-depth investigation of characteristics and risk factors.MethodsA web search including key words related to fatal asthma in Italy between 2013 and 2015 has been performed. Concerning the cases that occurred in Veneto, subjects’ clinical records have been evaluated and details about concomitant weather conditions, pollutants and pollen count have been collected.ResultsTwenty-three cases of asthma deaths were found in Italy; 16 of them (69%) occurred in the Veneto Region. A prevalence of male and young age was observed. Most of patients were atopic, died in the night-time hours and during the weekends. The possible risk factors identified were the sensitization to alternaria, previous near fatal asthma attacks and the incorrect treatment of the disease. Weather condition did not appear to be related to the fatal exacerbations, whereas among the pollutants only ozone was detected over the accepted limits. Smoking habits, possible drug abuse and concomitant complementary therapies might be regarded as further risk factors.DiscussionAlthough not free from potential biases, our web search and further investigations highlight an increasing asthma mortality trend, similarly to what other observatories report. The analysis of available clinical data suggests that the lack of treatment more than a severe asthma phenotype characterizes the fatal events.ConclusionsAsthma mortality still represents a critical issue in the management of the disease, particularly in youngsters. Once more the inadequate treatment and the lack of adherence seem to be not only related to the uncontrolled asthma but also to asthma mortality.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatal asthma; is it still an epidemic?

Vianello

Caminati

Crivellaro

et al. 2016

World Allergy Organization Journal

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“…An earlier age at the time of migration was generally associated with increased risks of developing atopic diseases compared to migration later in childhood. Children who were below the age of 4 years at the time of migration to Italy had a higher prevalence of rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and sensitization compared to children who had migrated after the age of 4 years [6]. However, an older age at the time of migration was associated with a shorter time from migration to the onset of allergic symptoms in this cohort.…”

Section: First-generation International Immigrantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a cross-sectional study comparing the prevalence of allergic disorders in Italian and immigrant children living in Italy, the latter group were found to have significantly lower rates of rhinitis and grass sensitization compared to native Italian-born children [6]. Asian immigrants to Australia, however, were reported to have a higher prevalence of seasonal allergic rhinitis compared to Australian-born non-Asians [7].…”

Section: First-generation International Immigrantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Migration on Allergic Diseases

Tham

Zhu

2018

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

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Studies in migrant populations provide vital opportunities to investigate the role of environmental factors in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. Differences in allergy prevalence have been observed between migrants and native-born subjects living in the same geographical location. Immigrants who migrate from less affluent countries with lower allergy prevalence tend to have a lower prevalence of allergic disorders compared to native-born residents of the more affluent host country. The patterns of allergic disease prevalence also differ between first- and second-generation migrants. The timing of migration in relation to birth, age at migration, and duration of residence in the host country also influence one’s atopic risk. A complex interplay of multiple environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural factors is likely responsible for these observed differences. Further research into the roles of various risk factors in modulating differences in allergic disease prevalence between migrant and native populations will enhance our understanding of the complex gene-environment interactions involved in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders.

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“…The comparisons were restricted to native-born subjects because of the heterogeneity of the allergic pattern of sensitization in immigrants compared with native-born citizens in Italy. 25,26 Associations of clinical disease and symptoms and sensitization pattern with breeder or non-breeder status were analyzed using logistic regression models after adjusting for age, family history of asthma or allergy, and urban vs nonurban residential area. The results are reported as odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%