Maria Pesonen1, Markku J T Kallio2, Martti A Siimes2, Annamari Ranki3. 1. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: maria.pesonen@ttl.fi. 2. Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. 3. Department of Dermatology and Allergology, the Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of skin prick testing in early childhood on subsequent allergic symptoms up to adult age. STUDY DESIGN: A cohort of 200 unselected healthy newborns was prospectively followed from birth to 20 years of age. Of them, 163 (82%) were reassessed at age 5 years, 150 (76%) at age 11 years, and 164 (83%) at age 20 years with a skin prick test that included 11 common allergens. On the basis of clinical examination and structured interview, the occurrence of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, recurrent wheezing, and symptoms of food hypersensitivity were recorded at each of the follow-up visits. RESULTS: The reproducibility of skin prick test positivity at age 5 years was 100% at ages 11 and 20 years, ie, none of the skin prick-positive subjects turned negative during the follow-up. Gaining of new sensitizations to aeroallergens was common. Skin prick test positivity at age 5 years predicted allergic symptoms at ages 11 (sensitivity 28%, specificity 94%) and 20 years (sensitivity 23%, specificity 91%) but not atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Skin prick test positivity at age 5 years strongly predicts later skin prick test positivity and is associated with respiratory symptoms, ie, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and recurrent wheezing, at ages 11 and 20 years. However, skin prick test negativity at age 5 years does not exclude sensitization and allergic symptoms at a later age.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of skin prick testing in early childhood on subsequent allergic symptoms up to adult age. STUDY DESIGN: A cohort of 200 unselected healthy newborns was prospectively followed from birth to 20 years of age. Of them, 163 (82%) were reassessed at age 5 years, 150 (76%) at age 11 years, and 164 (83%) at age 20 years with a skin prick test that included 11 common allergens. On the basis of clinical examination and structured interview, the occurrence of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, recurrent wheezing, and symptoms of food hypersensitivity were recorded at each of the follow-up visits. RESULTS: The reproducibility of skin prick test positivity at age 5 years was 100% at ages 11 and 20 years, ie, none of the skin prick-positive subjects turned negative during the follow-up. Gaining of new sensitizations to aeroallergens was common. Skin prick test positivity at age 5 years predicted allergic symptoms at ages 11 (sensitivity 28%, specificity 94%) and 20 years (sensitivity 23%, specificity 91%) but not atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Skin prick test positivity at age 5 years strongly predicts later skin prick test positivity and is associated with respiratory symptoms, ie, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and recurrent wheezing, at ages 11 and 20 years. However, skin prick test negativity at age 5 years does not exclude sensitization and allergic symptoms at a later age.
Authors: Katharina Eder; Sven Becker; Marion San Nicoló; Alexander Berghaus; Moritz Gröger Journal: Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol Date: 2016-11-15 Impact factor: 3.406
Authors: Harold Kim; Anne K Ellis; David Fischer; Mary Noseworthy; Ron Olivenstein; Kenneth R Chapman; Jason Lee Journal: Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol Date: 2017-11-17 Impact factor: 3.406