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Specific sensitization to common allergens and pulmonary function in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey
Author(s) -
Jaén A.,
Sunyer J.,
Basagaña X.,
Chinn S.,
Zock J. P.,
Antó J. M.,
Burney P.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2222.2002.01539.x
Subject(s) - medicine , atopy , sensitization , asthma , pulmonary function testing , house dust mite , lung function , spirometry , cladosporium , aeroallergen , respiratory system , immunology , methacholine , allergy , respiratory disease , allergen , lung , penicillium , biology , genetics
Summary Background The role of atopy in the evolution to chronic obstructive disease remains controversial. Aim We aimed to assess the association between individual sensitization to common allergens and lung function. Method We analysed data from 12 687 subjects aged 20 to 44 years, from 34 centres in 15 countries participating in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). Participants performed a blood test, lung function test, methacholine challenge, and answered an administered questionnaire. The relationships between specific IgE, FEV 1 and FEV 1 /FVC ratio were assessed for each study centre stratified by sex, followed by random effects meta‐analysis. Results Asthmatics sensitized to house dust mite had a lower FEV 1 (− 119 mL in women and − 112 mL in men) and FEV 1 /FVC ratio (− 1.95%, and − 2.48%) than asthmatics without sensitization. Asthmatics sensitized to cat had a lower FEV 1 (statistically significant for women only) and a lower FEV 1 /FVC ratio. Asthmatic women sensitized to grass had a lower FEV 1 and a lower ratio, and those sensitized to Cladosporium had a lower FEV 1 . A weak association was found with sensitization to cat and to Cladosporium among non‐asthmatic women, which disappeared after adjusting for BHR. Conclusion We conclude that atopy was related to a lower lung function, which was only apparent among asthmatics. This relationship was explained by specific sensitization to cat and to house dust mite, the latter being homogeneous across areas.