BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Western lifestyle has consistently been associated with the current asthma and atopy epidemics. We examined the occurrence and risk factors of atopy among schoolchildren and their mothers in 2 geographically adjacent areas with fundamental differences in living conditions and lifestyles. METHODS: A population-based study of 2 generations was carried out in eastern Finland and in western Russia. Randomly selected schoolchildren aged 7 to 16 years (367 in Finland and 446 in Russia) and their mothers (365 and 437, respectively) were enrolled. Data were obtained by using a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and by performing skin prick tests against 14 common airborne and food allergens. RESULTS: In children a 4-fold higher risk for atopy (> or =1 positive prick test result) was found in Finland compared with Russia. Sensitization rates in Finland were generally higher among children compared with those of their mothers, whereas in Russia the opposite trends emerged. Parental farming in early life (<1 year) in Finland (odds ratio [OR], 0.53; 95% CI, 0.28-0.99) and in Russia (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.22-1.03) and currently in Finland (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.22-0.91) conferred protection against atopy. Having pets, dogs in Finland (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.35-0.95) and cats in Russia (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24-0.80), in early life was also inversely associated with atopy. CONCLUSION: Atopy was several-fold more common in Finland compared with in Russia, and disparities in sensitization rates between the countries have further increased during these generations. The similarity of explanatory variables of atopy in both countries suggests that determinants of atopy are shared, at least in similar geoclimatic conditions.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Western lifestyle has consistently been associated with the current asthma and atopy epidemics. We examined the occurrence and risk factors of atopy among schoolchildren and their mothers in 2 geographically adjacent areas with fundamental differences in living conditions and lifestyles. METHODS: A population-based study of 2 generations was carried out in eastern Finland and in western Russia. Randomly selected schoolchildren aged 7 to 16 years (367 in Finland and 446 in Russia) and their mothers (365 and 437, respectively) were enrolled. Data were obtained by using a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and by performing skin prick tests against 14 common airborne and food allergens. RESULTS: In children a 4-fold higher risk for atopy (> or =1 positive prick test result) was found in Finland compared with Russia. Sensitization rates in Finland were generally higher among children compared with those of their mothers, whereas in Russia the opposite trends emerged. Parental farming in early life (<1 year) in Finland (odds ratio [OR], 0.53; 95% CI, 0.28-0.99) and in Russia (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.22-1.03) and currently in Finland (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.22-0.91) conferred protection against atopy. Having pets, dogs in Finland (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.35-0.95) and cats in Russia (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24-0.80), in early life was also inversely associated with atopy. CONCLUSION: Atopy was several-fold more common in Finland compared with in Russia, and disparities in sensitization rates between the countries have further increased during these generations. The similarity of explanatory variables of atopy in both countries suggests that determinants of atopy are shared, at least in similar geoclimatic conditions.
Authors: R Hakola; P Kauppi; T Leino; A Ojajärvi; J Pentti; T Oksanen; T Haahtela; M Kivimäki; J Vahtera Journal: Allergy Date: 2011-09-29 Impact factor: 13.146
Authors: T Seiskari; A Kondrashova; H Viskari; M Kaila; A-M Haapala; J Aittoniemi; M Virta; M Hurme; R Uibo; M Knip; H Hyöty Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2007-04 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: Ilkka Hanski; Leena von Hertzen; Nanna Fyhrquist; Kaisa Koskinen; Kaisa Torppa; Tiina Laatikainen; Piia Karisola; Petri Auvinen; Lars Paulin; Mika J Mäkelä; Erkki Vartiainen; Timo U Kosunen; Harri Alenius; Tari Haahtela Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2012-05-07 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Eija Yli-Panula; Desta Bey Fekedulegn; Brett James Green; Hanna Ranta Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2009-05-26 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Tari Haahtela; Stephen Holgate; Ruby Pawankar; Cezmi A Akdis; Suwat Benjaponpitak; Luis Caraballo; Jeffrey Demain; Jay Portnoy; Leena von Hertzen Journal: World Allergy Organ J Date: 2013-01-31 Impact factor: 4.084