[Atopy and asthma].

Numerous studies have shown an association between the development of allergic sensitization and asthma. On the population level the strength of this association is variable and depends on the gross national income (GNI) of a country. The higher the GNI is, the stronger is the association between atopy and asthma. The development of a perennial sensitization to indoor allergens such as house dust mites, cat and dog plays is a strong risk factor for a chronic asthma course over childhood years. Likewise, a strong sensitization to perennial allergens in adolescence contributes to asthma progression over puberty. Therefore, early and repeated allergy tests are warranted since they are predictors of the prognosis of these patients.