Allergen Sensitization Pattern by Sex: A Cluster Analysis in Korea.
- Author:
Jungyoon OHN
1
;
Seung Hwan PAIK
;
Eun Jin DOH
;
Hyun Sun PARK
;
Hyun Sun YOON
;
Soyun CHO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Allergens; Cluster analysis; mmunoglobulin E; Multiple allergen simultaneous test; Sensitization
- MeSH: Allergens; Cluster Analysis*; Dermatology; Female; Fungi; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Korea*; Male; Mass Screening; Medical Records; Retrospective Studies
- From:Annals of Dermatology 2017;29(6):735-741
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: Allergens tend to sensitize simultaneously. Etiology of this phenomenon has been suggested to be allergen cross-reactivity or concurrent exposure. However, little is known about specific allergen sensitization patterns. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the allergen sensitization characteristics according to gender. METHODS: Multiple allergen simultaneous test (MAST) is widely used as a screening tool for detecting allergen sensitization in dermatologic clinics. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with MAST results between 2008 and 2014 in our Department of Dermatology. A cluster analysis was performed to elucidate the allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E cluster pattern. RESULTS: The results of MAST (39 allergen-specific IgEs) from 4,360 cases were analyzed. By cluster analysis, 39items were grouped into 8 clusters. Each cluster had characteristic features. When compared with female, the male group tended to be sensitized more frequently to all tested allergens, except for fungus allergens cluster. CONCLUSION: The cluster and comparative analysis results demonstrate that the allergen sensitization is clustered, manifesting allergen similarity or co-exposure. Only the fungus cluster allergens tend to sensitize female group more frequently than male group.
