Trends of Sensitization to Inhalant Allergens in Korean Children Over the Last 10 Years
10.3349/ymj.2020.61.9.797
- Author:
Yea Ji KIM
1
;
Mi Yeon LEE
;
A Ram YANG
;
In Suk SOL
;
Ji Hee KWAK
;
Hye Lim JUNG
;
Jae Won SHIM
;
Deok Soo KIM
;
Jung Yeon SHIM
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2020;61(9):797-804
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Climate and lifestyle changes increase an individual’s susceptibility to various allergens and also the incidence of allergic diseases. We aimed to examine the changes in sensitization rate for aeroallergens over a 10-year period in Korean children.
Materials and Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 4493 children who visited the allergy clinic at a tertiary hospital in Korea for allergic rhinitis or asthma from January 2009 to December 2018. The serum specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were measured to confirm the sensitization against Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae), Alternaria, weed and tree pollen mixtures, as well as cat and dog dander through ImmunoCAP test.
Results:D. farinae was the most common sensitizing aeroallergen (45.9%) during the 10-year span. The sensitization rate for tree pollen mixture (p for trend <0.001), weed pollen mixtures (p for trend <0.001), dog dander (p for trend=0.025), and cat dander (p for trend=0.003) showed ascending trends during the 10-year study period. Furthermore, the sensitization rate for multiple allergens (≥2) in 2018 increased significantly compared to that in 2009 (p for trend=0.013).Compared with children without sensitization to D. farinae, those with sensitization to D. farinae showed higher sensitization rates to other aeroallergens (p for interaction <0.001).
Conclusion:Children’s sensitization rate to cat and dog dander and weed and tree pollen mixtures significantly increased during the 10-year period in Korea. Children with sensitization to D. farinae are likely to be sensitized to other aeroallergens as well.
