Reliability of respiratory symptoms to diagnose atopy

To describe the distribution of serum total IgE and specific IgE. to common aeroallergens by sex and age and to study their relationship to each other, we measured serum total IgE and specific IgE (CAP) to house-dust mite, timothy grass, cat, birch, and Cladosporium in a random sample of 2496 subjects, aged 20-70 years from the Dutch general population. We found that total IgE was higher in men, independently of smoking, and that total IgE had no relationship with age after adjustment for specific IgE and smoking in linear regression analysis. At least one positive specific IgE test was found in 32% in both sexes. Men had higher prevalences of specific IgE to house-dust mite and lower prevalences of specific IgE to birch than women. The proportion with positive specific IgE decreased with age. The mean total IgE increased with the number of positive specific IgE tests. Thus, total IgE is higher in men and has no relationship with age if specific IgE is taken into account. The prevalences of specific IgE to aeroallergens are high and decrease with increasing age. We suggest that sex differences in total IgE should be considered when using total IgE.

“…In contrast to our findings, Vervloet et al (12) found a decrease of the percentage with positive Phadiatop tests with age much more sharply in men than in women.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 56%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Distribution of total serum IgE and specific IgE to common aeroallergens by sex and age, and their relationship to each other in a random sample of the Dutch general population aged 20–70 years*

Kerkhof

Droste

Monchy³

et al. 1996

“…However, it should be noted that there is no clear relationship between allergic sensitization and allergic symptoms. 17,[51][52][53] Although allergic sensitization often overlaps with the occurrence of allergic symptoms, there are also many children without allergen-specific serum IgE/positive SPT that do develop allergic symptoms 17,19,21,22,26,31 and vice versa. 43 There might be a different …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early‐life antibiotic exposure increases the risk of developing allergic symptoms later in life: A meta‐analysis

Ahmadizar

Vijverberg

Arets

et al. 2017

105

This study systematically reviewed and quantified the relationship between exposure to antibiotics during the first 2 years of life and the risk of allergies/atopies including hay fever, eczema, food allergy, positive skin prick testing (SPT), or elevated allergen-specific serum/plasma immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels later in life.PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for observational studies published from January 1966 through November 11, 2015. Overall pooled estimates of the odds ratios (ORs) were obtained using fixed or random-effects models. Earlylife exposure to antibiotics appears to be related to an increased risk of allergic symptoms of hay fever, eczema, and food allergy later in life. The summary OR for the risk of hay fever (22 studies Early-life exposure to antibiotics has been related to some later life morbidities such as obesity, arthritis, asthma, and allergies. 6,7 A meta-analysis from 2006 showed a higher risk of asthma among those children exposed to antibiotics in early childhood. 8 However, a more recent meta-analysis from 2011 reported that the association between antibiotics exposure and subsequent development of wheeze/asthma was weak when the analysis was adjusted for reverse causation and confounding by indication. 9Several studies have suggested that early-life exposure to antibiotics is associated with an increased risk of developing allergies and atopies later in life, but results are inconsistent. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess and quantify the relationship between early-life exposure to antibiotics and the risk of developing symptoms of hay fever, eczema, food allergy, positive skin prick testing (SPT), or elevated allergen-specific serum/plasma immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels later in life.Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval; HR, hazard ratio; IgE, immunoglobulin E; OR, odds ratio; SPT, skin prick test.

“…Objective tests for the diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy (skin prick tests, allergen-specific serum IgE) can be used (29)(30)(31). In both developed and developing countries, a large percentage of patients with an epidemiologic definition of Ôallergic rhinitisÕ do not have positive skin tests or serum-specific IgE (5-9, 32, 33).…”

Section: Epidemiologic Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Important research questions in allergy and related diseases: nonallergic rhinitis: a GA²LEN paper

Bousquet

Fokkens

Burney

et al. 2008

170

148

Important research questions in allergy and related diseases: nonallergic rhinitis: a GA 2 LEN paper Nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) can be defined as a chronic nasal inflammation which is not caused by systemic IgE-dependent mechanisms. It is common and probably affects far more than 200 million people worldwide. Both children and adults are affected. However, its exact prevalence is unknown and its phenotypes need to be evaluated using appropriate methods to better understand its pathophysiology, diagnosis and management. It is important to differentiate between infectious rhinitis, allergic/NAR and chronic rhinosinusitis, as management differs for each of these cases. Characterization of the phenotype, mechanisms and management of NAR represents one of the major unmet needs in allergic and nonallergic diseases. Studies on children and adults are required in order to appreciate the prevalence, phenotype, severity and co-morbidities of NAR. These studies should compare allergic and NAR and consider different age group populations including elderly subjects. Mechanistic studies should be carried out to better understand the disease(s) and risk factors and to guide towards an improved diagnosis and therapy. These studies need to take the heterogeneity of NAR into account. It is likely that neuronal mechanisms, T cells, innate immunity and possibly auto-immune responses all play a role in NAR and may also contribute to the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.