Ryh Leung|Pei Ho|Carolyn S.P. Lam|Ching?Lung Lai
Sensitization to inhaled allergens as a risk factor for asthma and allergic diseases in Chinese population
background allergen sensitization associated asthma allergic disease children relationship confirmed chinese populations objective objective study evaluate effects allergen sensitization family history atopy asthma allergic disease chinese schoolchildren three southeast asian populations methods written questionnaires respiratory allergic symptoms completed parents children secondaryschool age age range 12 18 years hong kong n 1062 kota kinabalu eastern malaysia n 409 san bu southern china n 737 subsample schoolchildren underwent skin prick testing common inhalant allergens hong kong 471 children kota kinabalu 321 san bu 647 results prevalence asthma allergic disease schoolchildren highest hong kong intermediate kota kinabalu lowest san bu however overall rate atopic sensitization similar three populations 49 63 house dust mite cockroach two common allergens causing sensitization gave rise 95 positive skin test results three populations regression analysis mite allergy associated rhinitis asthma three populations family history asthma rhinitis eczema strongly associated respective symptoms subjects adjusting age sex atopic status family history allergic disease place residence remained significant independent factor asthma odds ratio 10 hong kong 057 kota kinabalu 015 san bu p 0001 rhinitis 10 hong kong 059 kota kinabalu 015 san bu p 0001 eczema 10 hong kong 035 kota kinabalu 101 san bu p 0001 conclusion sensitization indoor allergens significant risk factor asthma allergic disease familial clustering disease common region however marked difference disease prevalence three southeast asian populations chinese schoolchildren cannot explained atopic sensitization family history alone place residence independent risk factor asthma allergies suggests important environmental role disease pathogenesis j allergy clin immunol 1997995948