Abstract
BACKGROUND: Our knowledge about longitudinal predictors of atopy is limited.
OBJECTIVES: To describe changes in skin test reactivity during a 3-year period in a sample of adolescents and adults with atopic disease and to identify factors of importance for these changes.
METHODS: From a sample of 1,186 candidates, ranging in age from 14 to 44 years, who in a screening questionnaire reported symptoms suggestive of respiratory allergic disease, 344 individuals with a positive skin prick test (SPT) result concomitantly with asthma and/or rhinitis were clinically studied on 2 occasions, 3 years apart.
RESULTS: In total, 134 (39% of the study population) had a different SPT result at follow-up compared with baseline, based on a diagnostic criterion of 3 mm for a positive test result; 77 (22%) developed de novo sensitizations to 1 or more allergens, 45 (13%) had remission of 1 or more sensitizations, and 12 (4%) both gained and lost sensitizations. Female sex (odds ratio = 1.90 [1.02-3.57], P = .04) significantly predicted incidence of 1 or more sensitizations.
CONCLUSIONS: Four of 10 adults with atopic disease will have changes in SPT status during a 3-year period, and most will gain new sensitizations. Women with atopic disease are at increased risk of developing new sensitizations compared with men.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Tidsskrift | Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology |
| Vol/bind | 101 |
| Udgave nummer | 5 |
| Sider (fra-til) | 524-8 |
| Antal sider | 5 |
| ISSN | 1081-1206 |
| DOI | |
| Status | Udgivet - nov. 2008 |
| Udgivet eksternt | Ja |