Geographical variation in the prevalence of sensitization to common aeroallergens in adults: the GA(2) LEN survey

R B Newson; R van Ree; B Forsberg; C Janson; J Lötvall; S-E Dahlén; E M Toskala; J Baelum; G M Brożek; L Kasper; M L Kowalski; P H Howarth; W J Fokkens; C Bachert; T Keil; U Krämer; J Bislimovska; M Gjomarkaj; C Loureiro; P G J Burney; D Jarvis

doi:10.1111/all.12397

Geographical variation in the prevalence of sensitization to common aeroallergens in adults: the GA(2) LEN survey

R B Newson, R van Ree, B Forsberg, C Janson, J Lötvall, S-E Dahlén, E M Toskala, J Baelum, G M Brożek, L Kasper, M L Kowalski, P H Howarth, W J Fokkens, C Bachert, T Keil, U Krämer, J Bislimovska, M Gjomarkaj, C Loureiro, P G J BurneyD Jarvis

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Geographical variation in the prevalence of sensitization to aeroallergens may reflect differences in exposure to risk factors such as having older siblings, being raised on a farm or other unidentified exposures.

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to measure geographical variation in skin prick test positivity and assess whether it was explained by differences in family size and/or farm exposure. We also compared prevalence in younger and older subjects.

METHODS: Within the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2) LEN) survey, we measured the prevalence of skin prick positivity to a panel of allergens, and geometric mean serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), in 3451 participants aged 18-75 years in 13 areas of Europe. Estimated prevalence was standardized to account for study design. We compared prevalence estimates in younger and older subjects and further adjusted for age, gender, smoking history, farm exposure, number of older siblings and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS: Skin prick test positivity to any one of the measured allergens varied within Europe from 31.4% to 52.9%. Prevalence of sensitization to single allergens also varied. Variation in serum total IgE was less marked. Younger participants had higher skin prick sensitivity prevalence, but not total IgE, than older participants. Geographical variation remained even after adjustment for confounders.

CONCLUSION: Geographical variation in the prevalence of skin prick test positivity in Europe is unlikely to be explained by geographical variation in gender, age, smoking history, farm exposure, family size and BMI. Higher prevalence in younger, compared to older, adults may reflect cohort-associated increases in sensitization or the influence of ageing on immune or tissue responses.

Original language	English
Journal	Allergy
Volume	69
Issue number	5
Pages (from-to)	643-651
ISSN	0105-4538
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/all.12397
Publication status	Published - May 2014

Keywords

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Air Pollutants
Allergens
Animals
Female
Global Health
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Immunoglobulin E
Male
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Public Health Surveillance
Risk Factors
Young Adult
total immunoglobulin E
skin prick tests
Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, Europe
prevalence
geographical variation

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10.1111/all.12397

1 Finished

GA2LEN survey and follow-up study: GA2LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network) survey and follow-up study
Thilsing, T., Bælum, J., Al-kalemji, A., Lange, B., Kjeldsen, A. D., Burney, P. G. J., Garcia-Larsen, V., Potts, J. F., Bom, A. T., Haahtela, T., Keil, T., Amaral, A. F. S., Matricardi, P. M., Makowska, J., Kowalski, M. L., Torén, K., Van Zele, T., Bachert, C., Rymarczyk, B., Brozek, G., Janson, C., Forsberg, B., Nizankowska-Mogilnicka, E., Howarth, P. H. & Jarvis, D. L.
02/06/2008 → 01/09/2010
Project: Research

Cite this

Newson, R. B., van Ree, R., Forsberg, B., Janson, C., Lötvall, J., Dahlén, S-E., Toskala, E. M., Baelum, J., Brożek, G. M., Kasper, L., Kowalski, M. L., Howarth, P. H., Fokkens, W. J., Bachert, C., Keil, T., Krämer, U., Bislimovska, J., Gjomarkaj, M., Loureiro, C., ... Jarvis, D. (2014). Geographical variation in the prevalence of sensitization to common aeroallergens in adults: the GA(2) LEN survey. Allergy, 69(5), 643-651. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.12397

@article{ea247b5aac1d47ca9e9136dbe7612a26,

title = "Geographical variation in the prevalence of sensitization to common aeroallergens in adults: the GA(2) LEN survey",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: Geographical variation in the prevalence of sensitization to aeroallergens may reflect differences in exposure to risk factors such as having older siblings, being raised on a farm or other unidentified exposures.OBJECTIVE: We wanted to measure geographical variation in skin prick test positivity and assess whether it was explained by differences in family size and/or farm exposure. We also compared prevalence in younger and older subjects.METHODS: Within the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2) LEN) survey, we measured the prevalence of skin prick positivity to a panel of allergens, and geometric mean serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), in 3451 participants aged 18-75 years in 13 areas of Europe. Estimated prevalence was standardized to account for study design. We compared prevalence estimates in younger and older subjects and further adjusted for age, gender, smoking history, farm exposure, number of older siblings and body mass index (BMI).RESULTS: Skin prick test positivity to any one of the measured allergens varied within Europe from 31.4% to 52.9%. Prevalence of sensitization to single allergens also varied. Variation in serum total IgE was less marked. Younger participants had higher skin prick sensitivity prevalence, but not total IgE, than older participants. Geographical variation remained even after adjustment for confounders.CONCLUSION: Geographical variation in the prevalence of skin prick test positivity in Europe is unlikely to be explained by geographical variation in gender, age, smoking history, farm exposure, family size and BMI. Higher prevalence in younger, compared to older, adults may reflect cohort-associated increases in sensitization or the influence of ageing on immune or tissue responses.",

keywords = "Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Air Pollutants, Allergens, Animals, Female, Global Health, Humans, Hypersensitivity, Immunoglobulin E, Male, Middle Aged, Prevalence, Public Health Surveillance, Risk Factors, Young Adult, total immunoglobulin E, skin prick tests, Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, Europe, prevalence, geographical variation",

author = "Newson, {R B} and {van Ree}, R and B Forsberg and C Janson and J L{\"o}tvall and S-E Dahl{\'e}n and Toskala, {E M} and J Baelum and Bro{\.z}ek, {G M} and L Kasper and Kowalski, {M L} and Howarth, {P H} and Fokkens, {W J} and C Bachert and T Keil and U Kr{\"a}mer and J Bislimovska and M Gjomarkaj and C Loureiro and Burney, {P G J} and D Jarvis",

note = "{\textcopyright} 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.",

year = "2014",

month = may,

doi = "10.1111/all.12397",

language = "English",

volume = "69",

pages = "643--651",

journal = "Allergy",

issn = "0105-4538",

publisher = "Wiley",

number = "5",

}

Newson, RB, van Ree, R, Forsberg, B, Janson, C, Lötvall, J, Dahlén, S-E, Toskala, EM, Baelum, J, Brożek, GM, Kasper, L, Kowalski, ML, Howarth, PH, Fokkens, WJ, Bachert, C, Keil, T, Krämer, U, Bislimovska, J, Gjomarkaj, M, Loureiro, C, Burney, PGJ & Jarvis, D 2014, 'Geographical variation in the prevalence of sensitization to common aeroallergens in adults: the GA(2) LEN survey', Allergy, vol. 69, no. 5, pp. 643-651. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.12397

TY - JOUR

T1 - Geographical variation in the prevalence of sensitization to common aeroallergens in adults

T2 - the GA(2) LEN survey

AU - Newson, R B

AU - van Ree, R

AU - Forsberg, B

AU - Janson, C

AU - Lötvall, J

AU - Dahlén, S-E

AU - Toskala, E M

AU - Baelum, J

AU - Brożek, G M

AU - Kasper, L

AU - Kowalski, M L

AU - Howarth, P H

AU - Fokkens, W J

AU - Bachert, C

AU - Keil, T

AU - Krämer, U

AU - Bislimovska, J

AU - Gjomarkaj, M

AU - Loureiro, C

AU - Burney, P G J

AU - Jarvis, D

PY - 2014/5

Y1 - 2014/5

N2 - BACKGROUND: Geographical variation in the prevalence of sensitization to aeroallergens may reflect differences in exposure to risk factors such as having older siblings, being raised on a farm or other unidentified exposures.OBJECTIVE: We wanted to measure geographical variation in skin prick test positivity and assess whether it was explained by differences in family size and/or farm exposure. We also compared prevalence in younger and older subjects.METHODS: Within the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2) LEN) survey, we measured the prevalence of skin prick positivity to a panel of allergens, and geometric mean serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), in 3451 participants aged 18-75 years in 13 areas of Europe. Estimated prevalence was standardized to account for study design. We compared prevalence estimates in younger and older subjects and further adjusted for age, gender, smoking history, farm exposure, number of older siblings and body mass index (BMI).RESULTS: Skin prick test positivity to any one of the measured allergens varied within Europe from 31.4% to 52.9%. Prevalence of sensitization to single allergens also varied. Variation in serum total IgE was less marked. Younger participants had higher skin prick sensitivity prevalence, but not total IgE, than older participants. Geographical variation remained even after adjustment for confounders.CONCLUSION: Geographical variation in the prevalence of skin prick test positivity in Europe is unlikely to be explained by geographical variation in gender, age, smoking history, farm exposure, family size and BMI. Higher prevalence in younger, compared to older, adults may reflect cohort-associated increases in sensitization or the influence of ageing on immune or tissue responses.

AB - BACKGROUND: Geographical variation in the prevalence of sensitization to aeroallergens may reflect differences in exposure to risk factors such as having older siblings, being raised on a farm or other unidentified exposures.OBJECTIVE: We wanted to measure geographical variation in skin prick test positivity and assess whether it was explained by differences in family size and/or farm exposure. We also compared prevalence in younger and older subjects.METHODS: Within the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2) LEN) survey, we measured the prevalence of skin prick positivity to a panel of allergens, and geometric mean serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), in 3451 participants aged 18-75 years in 13 areas of Europe. Estimated prevalence was standardized to account for study design. We compared prevalence estimates in younger and older subjects and further adjusted for age, gender, smoking history, farm exposure, number of older siblings and body mass index (BMI).RESULTS: Skin prick test positivity to any one of the measured allergens varied within Europe from 31.4% to 52.9%. Prevalence of sensitization to single allergens also varied. Variation in serum total IgE was less marked. Younger participants had higher skin prick sensitivity prevalence, but not total IgE, than older participants. Geographical variation remained even after adjustment for confounders.CONCLUSION: Geographical variation in the prevalence of skin prick test positivity in Europe is unlikely to be explained by geographical variation in gender, age, smoking history, farm exposure, family size and BMI. Higher prevalence in younger, compared to older, adults may reflect cohort-associated increases in sensitization or the influence of ageing on immune or tissue responses.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Air Pollutants

KW - Allergens

KW - Animals

KW - Female

KW - Global Health

KW - Humans

KW - Hypersensitivity

KW - Immunoglobulin E

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Prevalence

KW - Public Health Surveillance

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Young Adult

KW - total immunoglobulin E

KW - skin prick tests

KW - Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, Europe

KW - prevalence

KW - geographical variation

U2 - 10.1111/all.12397

DO - 10.1111/all.12397

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 24654915

SN - 0105-4538

VL - 69

SP - 643

EP - 651

JO - Allergy

JF - Allergy

IS - 5

ER -

Geographical variation in the prevalence of sensitization to common aeroallergens in adults: the GA(2) LEN survey

Abstract

Keywords

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GA2LEN survey and follow-up study: GA2LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network) survey and follow-up study

Cite this