Single and multiple time‐point allergic sensitization during childhood and risk of asthma by age 13

Abstract

Background The relationship between allergic sensitization during childhood and risk of developing asthma remains unclear. Objective To analyze single time‐point and temporal patterns of sensitization in childhood in relation to asthma at age 13. Methods Specific IgE (sIgE) level and skin prick test (SPT) toward 22 food allergens and aeroallergens were assessed at 6, 18 months, 4, 6, and 13 years in children from the high‐risk Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood2000 (COPSAC2000) mother‐child cohort. We analyzed the association between single time‐point monosensitization, polysensitization, and quantitative assessment of sensitization, that is, sum of all sIgE levels and SPT wheal sizes, against asthma at age 13. In addition, we analyzed the association between three temporal patterns of sensitization: (a) early‐transient, (b) late‐onset, and (c) persistent sensitization and asthma. Results Polysensitization status measured by SPT or sIgE was at all single time‐points associated with increased risk of asthma at age 13: OR range, SPT = 3.0‐15.7, and sIgE = 2.6‐15.7, respectively, whereas monosensitization status was inconsistently associated with asthma. Quantitative assessment of both sIgE and SPT results was associated with asthma at all single time‐points: OR range, SPT = 1.3‐3.6, and sIgE = 1.1‐1.7. Persistent sensitization, but not early‐transient or late‐onset sensitization was associated with asthma by age 13: OR [95% CI], SPT = 8.9 [2.8‐28.23], and sIgE = 2.9 [1.1‐7.6], respectively. Conclusion Sensitization to multiple allergens at single time‐points, increasing sIgE levels and SPT wheal sizes, and persistent sensitization during childhood were associated with increased risk of asthma at age 13, suggesting the use of quantitative and repetitive sensitization measurements when assessing risk of developing asthma.

Epigenetic landscape links upper airway microbiota in infancy with allergic rhinitis at 6 years of age

“…AS ) and/or skin prick test to 10 common aeroallergens (Alternaria spp, birch, cat, Cladosporium spp, Dermatophagoides farinae, D pteronyssinus, dog, grass, horse, and mugwort) in 538 children, assessed during the same visit at which the nasal brush samples were obtained, as described. 20 Children were considered sensitized if they were positive for at least 1 specific IgE (> _0.35 kU A /L) or 1 skin prick test (wheal > _3 mm larger than that with negative control, n 5 109). Rhinitis cases were defined as reoccurring sneezing and blocked or runny nose that severely affected the wellbeing of the child in the previous 12 months during periods without an accompanying common cold or flu, alone for nonallergic rhinitis (n 5 34) or with congruence between symptoms, relevant allergen exposure, and sensitization for AR (n 5 40).…”

Sex- and Age-Dependent Changes in Polysensitization to Common Aeroallergens Over 20 Years

“…2 Polysensitization is associated with the development and severity of allergies, particularly allergic asthma. 3,4 We investigated age-and sex-dependent mono-and polysensitization profiles using skin prick test (SPT) reactivity to the most common aeroallergens. In addition, patterns of sensitization against the structurally different allergens of the major aeroallergen groups early flowering tree pollen, grass pollen, and house dust mites (HDM) were analyzed in a large German study group during the last 20 years.…”

Fecal metabolites and early sensitization influence asthma, and how to prevent anaphylaxis in the community

“…8 The second highlighted article by Ann-Marie Malby Schoos and colleagues reports data generated from the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC). 9 Specific IgE (sIgE) levels and skin prick test (SPT) results from 22 food allergens and aeroallergens were assessed at different time points up to age 13 years. Then, they analyzed the association between single time-point monosensitization, polysensitization, and quantitative assessment of sensitization against asthma.…”

“…The second highlighted article by Ann‐Marie Malby Schoos and colleagues reports data generated from the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC) . Specific IgE (sIgE) levels and skin prick test (SPT) results from 22 food allergens and aeroallergens were assessed at different time points up to age 13 years.…”