OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the severity of asthma is associated with sensitisation to airborne moulds rather than to other seasonal or perennial allergens. DESIGN: Multicentre epidemiological survey in 30 centres. SETTING: European Community respiratory health survey. PARTICIPANTS: 1132 adults aged 20-44 years with current asthma and with skin prick test results. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Severity of asthma according to score based on forced expiratory volume in one second, number of asthma attacks, hospital admissions for breathing problems, and use of corticosteroids in past 12 months. RESULTS: The frequency of sensitisation to moulds (Alternaria alternata or Cladosporium herbarum, or both) increased significantly with increasing asthma severity (odds ratio 2.34 (95% confidence interval 1.56 to 3.52) for either for severe v mild asthma). This association existed in all of the study areas (gathered into regions), although there were differences in the frequency of sensitisation. There was no association between asthma severity and sensitisation to pollens or cats. Sensitisation to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was also positively associated with severity. In multivariable logistic regressions including sensitisation to moulds, pollens, D pteronyssinus, and cats simultaneously, the odds ratios for sensitisation to moulds were 1.48 (0.97 to 2.26) for moderate v mild asthma and 2.16 (1.37 to 3.35) for severe v mild asthma (P<0.001 for trend). CONCLUSIONS: Sensitisation to moulds is a powerful risk factor for severe asthma in adults. This should be taken into account in primary prevention, management, and patients' education.
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the severity of asthma is associated with sensitisation to airborne moulds rather than to other seasonal or perennial allergens. DESIGN: Multicentre epidemiological survey in 30 centres. SETTING: European Community respiratory health survey. PARTICIPANTS: 1132 adults aged 20-44 years with current asthma and with skin prick test results. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Severity of asthma according to score based on forced expiratory volume in one second, number of asthma attacks, hospital admissions for breathing problems, and use of corticosteroids in past 12 months. RESULTS: The frequency of sensitisation to moulds (Alternaria alternata or Cladosporium herbarum, or both) increased significantly with increasing asthma severity (odds ratio 2.34 (95% confidence interval 1.56 to 3.52) for either for severe v mild asthma). This association existed in all of the study areas (gathered into regions), although there were differences in the frequency of sensitisation. There was no association between asthma severity and sensitisation to pollens or cats. Sensitisation to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was also positively associated with severity. In multivariable logistic regressions including sensitisation to moulds, pollens, D pteronyssinus, and cats simultaneously, the odds ratios for sensitisation to moulds were 1.48 (0.97 to 2.26) for moderate v mild asthma and 2.16 (1.37 to 3.35) for severe v mild asthma (P<0.001 for trend). CONCLUSIONS: Sensitisation to moulds is a powerful risk factor for severe asthma in adults. This should be taken into account in primary prevention, management, and patients' education.
Authors: C Janson; J Anto; P Burney; S Chinn; R de Marco; J Heinrich; D Jarvis; N Kuenzli; B Leynaert; C Luczynska; F Neukirch; C Svanes; J Sunyer; M Wjst Journal: Eur Respir J Date: 2001-09 Impact factor: 16.671
Authors: M T O'Hollaren; J W Yunginger; K P Offord; M J Somers; E J O'Connell; D J Ballard; M I Sachs Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1991-02-07 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Ann Chen Wu; Jessica Lasky-Su; Christine A Rogers; Barbara J Klanderman; Augusto A Litonjua Journal: Am J Respir Crit Care Med Date: 2010-06-10 Impact factor: 21.405
Authors: Päivi M Salo; Ming Yin; Samuel J Arbes; Richard D Cohn; Michelle Sever; Michael Muilenberg; Harriet A Burge; Stephanie J London; Darryl C Zeldin Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2005-09 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: M I Gunnbjörnsdóttir; K A Franklin; D Norbäck; E Björnsson; D Gislason; E Lindberg; C Svanes; E Omenaas; E Norrman; R Jõgi; E J Jensen; A Dahlman-Höglund; C Janson Journal: Thorax Date: 2006-01-05 Impact factor: 9.139
Authors: Jacqueline-Yvonne Cephus; Matthew T Stier; Hubaida Fuseini; Jeffrey A Yung; Shinji Toki; Melissa H Bloodworth; Weisong Zhou; Kasia Goleniewska; Jian Zhang; Sarah L Garon; Robert G Hamilton; Vasiliy V Poloshukin; Kelli L Boyd; R Stokes Peebles; Dawn C Newcomb Journal: Cell Rep Date: 2017-11-28 Impact factor: 9.423