Prevalence of Self-reported Allergic Diseases and IgE Levels: A 2010 KNHANES Analysis

Abstract

PurposeThe prevalence of allergic diseases is known to be associated with both demographic and environmental factors. Herein, we aimed to determine significant factors associated with the prevalence of allergic diseases and with total immunoglobulin E (tIgE) and specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels in Korea.MethodsWe analyzed unweighted data collected by the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2,342 subjects who underwent serum tests for tIgE and sIgE to Dermatophagoides farinae, dog, and Blattella germanica, representing a sample of 16,003,645 citizens, by considering the sample weight and stratification.ResultsThe overall prevalence of self-reported allergic diseases was 37.6%. The prevalence rates of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis decreased with age, whereas the asthma prevalence was not affected by the age of the subjects. When analyzed according to the type of allergic diseases, the prevalence of self-reported allergic disease was significantly associated with various factors (e.g. age, occupation, living in urban areas, and depression). The tIgE level decreased with age, but later increased. Elevation of tIgE was significantly associated with male sex, type of occupation, obesity, and smoking status. However, the risk factors for the increased sIgE levels to each allergen were quite different. Sensitization to D. farinae was more likely in young subjects, whereas the prevalence of sensitization to B. germanica was significantly higher in subjects with male sex, residing in a house (houses), and with glucose intolerance. Finally, young age and the smoking status were significantly associated with sensitization to dog.ConclusionsVarious demographic and environmental factors were significantly associated with the prevalence of self-reported allergic diseases and the levels of tIgE and sIgE to D. farinae, B. germanica, and dog in Korea.

Association between Atopic Dermatitis and the Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review

“…Further, a recent meta-analysis by Thyssen et al [43] has also concluded that it is unlikely that AD represents an independent and clinically relevant risk factor for type 2 diabetes (pooled OR 1.11; 95% CI 0.87-1.42). Data from the fifth KNHANES with assessment of the glucose tolerance status found no association between type 2 diabetes and AD [20]. In contrast the KNHANES survey with self-reported physician's diagnosis of diabetes mellitus found decreased odds [19].…”

“…In another analysis from the KNHANES study (described above), Park et al [20] investigated the association between type 2 diabetes and AD. Blood samples were obtained after ≥8 h of fasting to test for glucose tolerance and based on the fasting glucose levels, the glucose tolerance status was categorized as normal, impaired fasting glucose, or diabetes mellitus.…”

Dependence of the allergic status markers on the level of vitamin D in the serum

“…An increasing incidence of allergic disease during the past 30 years sets the need to seek laboratory parameters that are useful in diagnosing allergic disease. Park et al [13] in their study showed that the serum total IgE level is a good predictor of allergy in children. Several papers indicated a problem of discrepancy between the results obtained with an SPT and allergen sIgE.…”

Testes laboratoriais de triagem para doenças alérgicas: ainda têm espaço na prática clínica?

“…Após o descobrimento da IgE, em 1967, vários métodos permitiram a sua quantificação 26 , e embora várias situações clínicas possam cursar com níveis séricos elevados de IgE total, eles têm sido apontados, ainda hoje, como marcadores de doenças alérgicas 27,28 . Apesar de bem documentada a relação da IgE com as doenças alérgicas, a IgE total também pode estar aumentada em indivíduos normais, na ausência de outras doenças, por razões desconhecidas 13 .…”