Incidence and Remission of Specific IgE Aeroallergen Sensitization from Age of 40 to 60 Years, and Association with Alcohol Consumption

Abstract

Background: Data on incidence and long-term persistence of IgE aeroallergen sensitization in older adults are limited. Alcohol consumption is a strong immune-modulator with a significant impact on the IgE response. Objectives: We aimed to assess the incidence and remission of aeroallergen sensitization from the age of 40 to 60 years. Furthermore, we examined the relationship of alcohol consumption to the prevalence and incidence of aeroallergen sensitization. Methods: In 1976–1977, a total of 1,200 people born in 1936 and randomly selected from the general population were invited for a health examination (1,052 were examined). At 60 years, they were invited for a re-examination (695 were examined). Stored serum samples from both examinations were analyzed consecutively for serum-specific IgE to aeroallergens by using a qualitative multi-allergen immunoassay. Results: We observed a total of 32 (7.1% of those not sensitized at 40 years) incident cases and 35 (41.1% of those sensitized at 40 years) remittent cases of aeroallergen sensitization over this 20 year period. Persistent as well as incident sensitization was significantly associated with self-reported atopic disease at 60 years. Alcohol consumption (>14 drinks per week) at 40 years was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of sensitization at 40 years, but not with the incidence of sensitization. Conclusions: In older adults, aeroallergen sensitization as reflected by serum-specific IgE positivity to aeroallergens is a dynamic process. Both persistent and incident sensitization was associated with atopic disease. Further studies are needed to clarify the influence of alcohol on the allergen-specific IgE response.

Low incidence and high remission of allergic sensitization among adults

“…Thus in the middle-aged and elderly subjects, normal aging is assumed to affect the prevalence of allergic sensitization, and the lower prevalence in the elderly might not primarily be caused by a birth cohort effect, as suggested by others. 12,23 To the best of our knowledge, only a few longitudinal population-based studies among adults have reported data about the incidence and remission of allergic sensitization and a possible age effect. We found a cumulative incidence of 5%, and remission was 32% during a 10-year period.…”

“…Longitudinal studies assessing the incidence and remission of allergic sensitization based on objective and physiological tests are even rarer. [12][13][14] The prevalence of allergic sensitization increases with age up to young adulthood, 3,14 whereas from middle age, the prevalence decreases with increasing age. 3,11 The decrease in prevalence among the elderly might be related to normal aging or a birth cohort effect.…”

Immunoglobulin E Sensitization to Cross-Reactive Carbohydrate Determinants: Epidemiological Study of Clinical Relevance and Role of Alcohol Consumption

“…Furthermore, experimental animal studies [11,12] and observational studies in humans [13,14] strongly support the idea that alcohol consumption increases serum total IgE levels. In contrast, the relationship between alcohol consumption and specific IgE sensitization is less clear [15,16,17]. …”

The Pathogenesis of Alcohol-Induced Airflow Limitation in Acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase 2-Deficient Mice

“…These findings suggest that excess histamine release plays an important role in alcohol-induced asthma. Further studies are required to explore the mechanisms underlying this process, including how histamine localizes to target organs, the molecular mechanism associated with the actions of histamine, the roles of the nonhistamine chemical mediators that are released from mast cells and basophils, and the characteristics of the immune system response in these patients [19,20]. Future potential research topics include the study of sensitized ALDH2-deficient mice and an assessment of the inhibitory effects caused by various agents.…”