BACKGROUND: The prevalence of sensitization and allergic disease has increased significantly worldwide. The aim of the "Aalst Allergy Study" was to document prevalences of sensitization and allergic symptoms, and to evaluate the effect of personal and environmental influences on these prevalences in an unbiased Belgian pediatric population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in an unbiased population of 2021 Belgian schoolchildren (3.4-14.8 years). Skin prick testing with the most common aeroallergens was performed. Allergic symptoms as well as potential risk factors for sensitization and allergic disease were documented by a parental questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of sensitization to the most common aeroallergens and the prevalence of allergic diseases (eczema, asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis) were in line with the data in the literature. The association of current allergic symptoms with sensitization was only significant in the children aged > or =6 years. Age, gender, body mass index, bedroom environment and exposure to pets were the factors significantly associated with sensitization and allergic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our study corroborates the reported prevalences of sensitization and allergic diseases. Moreover the study illustrates the complexity of the search for factors involved in the process of sensitization and allergic disease. The impact of different potential causative factors is not only influenced by mutual interactions of these factors, but also by the existence of distinct subtypes of disease.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of sensitization and allergic disease has increased significantly worldwide. The aim of the "Aalst Allergy Study" was to document prevalences of sensitization and allergic symptoms, and to evaluate the effect of personal and environmental influences on these prevalences in an unbiased Belgian pediatric population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in an unbiased population of 2021 Belgian schoolchildren (3.4-14.8 years). Skin prick testing with the most common aeroallergens was performed. Allergic symptoms as well as potential risk factors for sensitization and allergic disease were documented by a parental questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of sensitization to the most common aeroallergens and the prevalence of allergic diseases (eczema, asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis) were in line with the data in the literature. The association of current allergic symptoms with sensitization was only significant in the children aged > or =6 years. Age, gender, body mass index, bedroom environment and exposure to pets were the factors significantly associated with sensitization and allergic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our study corroborates the reported prevalences of sensitization and allergic diseases. Moreover the study illustrates the complexity of the search for factors involved in the process of sensitization and allergic disease. The impact of different potential causative factors is not only influenced by mutual interactions of these factors, but also by the existence of distinct subtypes of disease.
Authors: Ulrike Gehring; Wolfgang Bischof; Bärbel Fahlbusch; Heinz-Erich Wichmann; Joachim Heinrich Journal: Am J Respir Crit Care Med Date: 2002-10-01 Impact factor: 21.405
Authors: G G King; N J Brown; C Diba; C W Thorpe; P Muñoz; G B Marks; B Toelle; K Ng; N Berend; C M Salome Journal: Eur Respir J Date: 2005-05 Impact factor: 16.671
Authors: Ginger L Chew; Matthew S Perzanowski; Stephen M Canfield; Inge F Goldstein; Robert B Mellins; Lori A Hoepner; Maxine Ashby-Thompson; Judith S Jacobson Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2007-10-22 Impact factor: 10.793
Authors: J Riedler; C Braun-Fahrländer; W Eder; M Schreuer; M Waser; S Maisch; D Carr; R Schierl; D Nowak; E von Mutius Journal: Lancet Date: 2001-10-06 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: S Baldacci; P Modena; L Carrozzi; M Pedreschi; M Vellutini; P Biavati; M Simoni; T Sapigni; G Viegi; P Paoletti; C Giuntini Journal: Allergy Date: 1996-03 Impact factor: 13.146
Authors: Eliza M Vázquez; Francisco Vázquez; María C Barrientos; José A Córdova; Dolores Lin; Francisco J Beltrán; Carlos F Vázquez Journal: World J Pediatr Date: 2011-06-01 Impact factor: 2.764