In Korea, there are two descrite pollen seasons: a tree pollen season and a weed pollen season. In order to investigate the incidence of sensitization to the major pollens and to evaluate is clinical significance in respriatory allergic disease, skin prick tests were performed using 7 species of Korean pollen extracts (K-P extracts) and specific IgE was measured by the Phadebas radioallergosorbent test (RAST) in patients with positive skin prick tests. Of the 317 patients with respiratory allergic diseases 73 patients (23.0%) were skin prick test positive to one or more K-P extracts and the positive reactions to individual pollens were as follows: 14.2% (45/317) positive to sagebrush 10.4% to ragweed, 5.0% to grass, 4.1% to oak, 3.8% to alder, 1.9% to poplar; and 0% to pine. The 30-39yr old group manifested the highest skin test positivity 36.7%. There was no difference in the skin reactivity according to the patient's sex and the kinds of allergic disease. Also there was no relationship between birth season and skin test positivity. The agreement between the results of the skin prick test with K-P and commercially prepared Bencard's pollen extracts (B-P extracts) was good. There were good correlations between the strongly positive skin prick test and a posivite RAST and also between a netative skin prick test and a negative RAST. From this study, it can be concluded that overall sensitization rate of respiratory allergy patients to K-P exstracts was 23.0%, and that weed pollens such as sagebrush and ragweed were major pollens.
Female ; Human ; Korea ; Male ; Pollen/adverse effects* ; Radioallergosorbent Test ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/diagnosis ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity/epidemiology* ; Skin Tests

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nationwide prevalence of childhood asthma, eczema and other allergic diseases in Korean school-age children (8-11 yr old) and to assess the difference between residential areas. Among 6,279 elementary schools, 427 schools were randomly selected according to residential area (metropolitan, provincial, rural, and industrial area) by the cluster sampling method. Parents of students completed a modified Korean version of a questionnaire formulated by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Among 50,200 subjects, 31,026 (61.8%) responded, and 30,893 (99.6%) were analyzed. The 12-month prevalence of wheeze, flexural rash, and allergic rhinitis symptoms were 4.8%, 15.3%, and 32.9%, respectively. The prevalence of diagnosis of allergic diseases in boys was higher than that in girls, with the exception of eczema. In both boys and girls, the difference of the prevalence of allergic diseases among industrial, metropolitan and provincial areas was not statistically significant, but the differences between rural area and other areas were significant. Our results support the importance of contextual effect associated with residential area as causative agents of allergic diseases among Korean school-age children.
Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eczema/epidemiology ; Exanthema/epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/*epidemiology ; Male ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Respiratory Sounds ; *Rural Population ; Schools ; Sex Distribution ; *Urban Population

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of endotoxin concentration in dwellings on the prevalence of atopic asthma in children.

METHODSStandardized questionnaires of asthma were distributed to the parents of 2986 school children aged between 8 and 12 years and endotoxin content in children's mattress was measured by a kinetic limulus assay. A radioallergosorbent technique--fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (RAST-FEIA) was used to measure the level of specific IgE in serum.

RESULTSComplete data was available for 904 children with males more than females. There were both negative associations seen between endotoxin levels and both atopic asthma (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.32-0.72, P < 0.05) and atopic sensitization (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.49-0.94, P < 0.05) but not with non-atopic asthma and wheeze. Comparing with normal people, patients with atopic sensitization, atopic wheeze and atopic asthma had a higher levels of endotoxin (M-W U: 15 138.0, P < 0.01, M-W U: 4858.0, P < 0.01, M-W U: 4041.0, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONExposure to endotoxin in early lives of children might have a protective effect on atopic asthma and sensitization.

Asthma ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Data Collection ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate ; epidemiology ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Respiratory Sounds

Approximately one in four patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have asthmatic features consisting of wheezing, airway hyper-responsiveness or atopy. The Global initiative for Asthma/Globalinitiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease committee recently labelled these patients as having asthma-COPD overlap syndrome or ACOS. ACOS also encompasses patients with asthma, ≥40 years of age, who have been cigarette smokers (more than 5–10 pack years) or have had significant biomass exposure, and demonstrate persistent airflow limitation defined as a post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁)/forced vital capacity of <70%. Data over the past 30 years indicate that patients with ACOS have greater burden of symptoms including dyspnea and cough and show higher risk of COPD exacerbations and hospitalizations than those with pure COPD or pure asthma. Patients with ACOS also have increased risk of rapid FEV₁ decline and COPD mortality. Paradoxically, experimental evidence to support therapeutic decisions in ACOS patients is lacking because traditionally, patients with ACOS have been systematically excluded from therapeutic COPD and asthma trials to maintain homogeneity of the study population. In this study, we summarize the current understanding of ACOS, focusing on definitions, epidemiology and patient prognosis.
Asthma ; Biomass ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Epidemiology ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Mortality ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity ; Respiratory Sounds ; Tobacco Products ; Vital Capacity

OBJECTIVETo analyze the allergic status to common inhalant allergens and food allergens in clinical patients in Harbin in northeastern China and provide evidence to develop the prevention strategy of allergic disease.

METHODSThe data were collected from 5 473 patients with clinical suspected allergic diseases seeking medical care in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University. Among these patients, 2 530 (46.2%) were males aged 0-86 years, the youngest was only 1 month old and 2 579 (47.1%) were young children and teenagers. The serum specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE) to 14 kinds of common allergens and serum total IgE were detected by using AllergyScreen test (Mediwiss Analytic GmbH, Moers, Germany).

RESULTSIn 5 473 subjects the positive rate of sIgE was 33.1% (n=1 813). Cow milk (6.9%) and wheat (3.1%) were the most common food allergens, followed by house dust mite mix (12.5%) and mould mix (9.4%) and the age and gender specific differences in the positive rate were significant. For the children aged <7 years the positive rates to cow milk, beef-mutton, and egg white/egg yolk were high, but the positive rates to house dust mite mix, ragweed estragon, and mould mix were low (P<0.05). For the adults the positive rates to aeroallergens were high while the rates to food allergens were low.

CONCLUSIONThe results from this study showed that the food allergens in Harbin had geographic characteristics, which support the viewpoint that the environment factors play an important role in the incidence of allergic diseases. Also, the detection of sIgE and total IgE are essential to identify relevant allergens for the purpose of early diagnosis, management and prevention of allergic disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Allergens ; analysis ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cities ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Hypersensitivity ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult

Although the association between obesity and asthma has been well documented, the nature of this association has yet to be clarified. The aim of this study was to examine the association of body mass index (BMI), lipid profiles, and atopy, wheezing, and lung function in older adults living in a rural area in Korea. BMI (kg/m2), lipid profiles, skin prick test, spirometry, and questionnaire including airway symptoms were obtained in a cross-sectional survey in 707 (259 males and 448 females) older adults (aged 50 to 93; mean, 65.7 yr) living in a high-altitude rural area in Korea. The prevalence of self-reported wheezing was 17.1% (121/707). The prevalence of atopy was 13.8%. The mean of BMI was 23.3+/-0.13 (14.6-32.8). The BMI was higher in females than in males (23.8+/-0.16 vs 22.4+/-0.17; p<0.01). The prevalence of wheezing was higher in group with BMI> or = 25 than in group with BMI<25 [57/201 (28.3%) vs 64/505 (12.6%), p<0.01]. The BMI was higher in group with wheezing than in group without wheezing (24.3+/-0.34 vs 23.1+/-0.13, p<0.01). No association between BMI and atopy was found. These findings suggest that BMI associated with wheezing in older adults.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Altitude ; Asthma/*epidemiology/metabolism ; *Body Mass Index ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity/immunology ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/epidemiology/immunology ; Korea/epidemiology ; Lipids/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Questionnaires ; Respiratory Function Tests ; *Respiratory Sounds/immunology ; Skin Tests

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, as well as the risk factors of wheezing among young adults in the Korean military. Young military conscripts in five areas completed a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. For subjects with current wheeze in one sample area, baseline spirometry and bronchodilator response were measured. For subjects without a significant response to bronchodilator (improvement in FEV1 of more than 200 mL and 12%), methacholine challenge tests (MCT) were also performed. Of 3,359 subjects that completed the questionnaire, 354 (10.5%) had current wheeze, 471 (14.0%) had current allergic rhinitis, and 326 (9.7%) had current eczema. Current wheeze was associated with family history of allergic disease, overweight, current smoking, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Of 36 subjects with current wheeze who underwent PFT with or without MCT in the Anyang area, 24 (66.7%) were confirmed to have current asthma. In conclusion, the prevalence of allergic disease in young adults of Korean military is not low, and the risk factors of wheezing include family history of allergic disease, overweight, current smoking, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis.
Adult ; Asthma/*complications/epidemiology/*immunology ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/*epidemiology/*immunology ; *Military Personnel ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Sounds/*etiology ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: The worldwide prevalence of obesity and allergic diseases has increased. We aimed to explore the relation of overweight to asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis in a sample of Korean adolescents. METHODS: We investigated the prevalence of symptoms of asthma and other allergic diseases by using a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. The survey was conducted among 1,499 high school students in 3 regions of Korea. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of wheezing (21.2% vs. 15.7%, P = 0.04), the 12 months-prevalence of wheezing (4.5% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.04), exercise induced wheezing (13.8% vs. 9.3%, P = 0.04), treatment of asthma (3.3% vs. 1.1%, P = 0.01) and the prevalence of symptoms of allergic rhinitis (11.0% vs. 5.1%, P = 0.001) were signifi cantly higher in overweight boys than normal weight boys, but not in girls. However, there were no signifi cant differences of the prevalence of symptoms and past history of atopic dermatitis and allergic conjunctivitis between overweight and normal weight groups. In boys, overweight increased the risk of the lifetime prevalence of wheezing (OR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.05-2.24) and 12 months-prevalence of exercise induced wheezing (OR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.05-2.55) after adjusting for confounding variables. CONCLUSION: Overweight could be a risk factor for the development of symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis in adolescent boys, whereas it was not a signifi cant risk factor for allergic diseases in girls.
Adolescent ; Asthma ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Conjunctivitis ; Conjunctivitis, Allergic ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Prevalence ; Respiratory Sounds ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Risk Factors

The bronchial pathology of asymptomatic airway hyperreponsiveness (AHR) subjects is not well understood, and the role of atopy in the development of airway remodeling is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether atopy is associated with airway remodeling in asymptomatic AHR subjects. Five groups, i.e., atopic or non-atopic subjects with asymptomatic AHR, atopic or non-atopic healthy controls, and subjects with mild atopic asthma, were evaluated by bronchoscopic biopsy. By electron microscopy, mean reticular basement membrane (RBM) thicknesses were 4.3+/-1.7 micrometer, 3.4+/-1.8 micrometer, 2.5+/-1.5 micrometer, 2.6+/-1.1 micrometer, and 2.3+/-1.2 micrometer in the mild atopic asthma, atopic and non-atopic asymptomatic AHR, atopic and nonatopic control groups, respectively (p=0.002). RBM thicknesses were significantly higher in the mild atopic asthma group and in the atopic asymptomatic AHR group than in the other three groups (p=0.048). No significant difference in RBM thickness was observed between the atopic asymptomatic AHR group and the mild atopic asthma group (p>0.05), nor between non-atopic asymptomatic AHR group and the two control groups (p>0.05). By light microscopy, subepithelial layer thicknesses between the groups showed the same results. These findings suggest that RBM thickening occurs in subjects with atopic asymptomatic AHR, and that atopy plays an important role in airway remodeling.
Adult ; Asthma/epidemiology/*pathology ; Basement Membrane/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Biopsy ; Bronchi/pathology ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity/epidemiology/*pathology ; Bronchoscopy ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate/*epidemiology ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Respiratory Mucosa/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the serum total IgE (tIgE) and specific IgE (sIgE) to common allergens among allergic patients in Guangzhou, China.

METHODS7 085 patients were examined for tIgE and sIgE to 15 allergens, based on the protocols of reversed enzyme allergosorbent test and the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS3 758 (53.04%) patients tested positive for tIgE, and 4 640 (65.49%) for sIgE. Der pteronyssinus, Der farinae, eggs, and cow's milk were the most common allergens leading to higher positive rates of sIgE responses. Several peaks of sensitization were: Der pteronyssinus, Der farinae, and Blomia tropicalis at age 10-12; cow's milk at age below 3; eggs at age 4-6. The mean level and positive rate of tIgE tended to increase in subjects sensitized to more allergens. Sensitization to Der pteronyssinus (OR, 1.6; P<0.05), Der farinae (OR, 1.5; P<0.05), Blomia tropicalis (OR, 1.4; P<0.05), Blattella germanica (OR, 1.5; P<0.05), cow's milk (OR, 1.3; P<0.05), and soy beans (OR, 2.0; P<0.05) were independently correlated with allergy-related conditions in preliminary diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONThe major allergens in Guangzhou include Der pteronyssinus, Der farinae, cow's milk, and eggs. Sensitization to these allergens appears to be predictors of allergy-related disorder.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Allergens ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; blood ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Infant ; Laboratories ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; blood ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult