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The protective effect of cheese consumption at 18 months on allergic diseases in the first 6 years
Author(s) -
Nicklaus Sophie,
DivaretChauveau Amandine,
Chardon MarieLaure,
Roduit Caroline,
Kaulek Vincent,
Ksiazek Eléa,
Dalphin MarieLaure,
Karvonen Anne M.,
Kirjavainen Pirkka,
Pekkanen Juha,
Lauener Roger,
SchmausserHechfellner Elisabeth,
Renz Harald,
BraunFahrländer Charlotte,
Riedler Josef,
Vuitton Dominique A.,
Mutius Erika Von,
Dalphin JeanCharles
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/all.13650
Subject(s) - medicine , atopy , asthma , allergy , wheeze , food allergy , atopic dermatitis , confounding , cohort , cohort study , food science , immunology , biology
Background The effect of exposure to microorganisms on allergic diseases has been well studied. The protective effect of early food diversity against allergic diseases was previously shown in the PASTURE cohort study. The consumption of cheese, a food potentially rich in microbial diversity, deserves further examination. We aimed to evaluate whether cheese consumption is associated with allergic diseases. Methods In the PASTURE study (birth cohort in 5 European countries), data on feeding practices, environmental factors, and allergic diseases were collected by questionnaires from birth to 6 years (N = 931). Cheese consumption at 18 months of age was quantified in terms of frequency and diversity (ie, number of consumed types among 6 types: hard pressed, semipressed, soft, blue, fresh cheese, and cheese from the farm). Multiple logistic regressions were performed to evaluate the effect of cheese consumption on atopic dermatitis ( AD ), food allergy ( FA ), allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic sensitization at 6 years after adjustment for confounders of atopy. Results Cheese consumption (vs. nonconsumption) had a significant protective effect on AD ( OR = 0.51 [0.29‐0.90], P = 0.02) and FA ( OR = 0.32, [0.15‐0.71], P = 0.004), but no effect on atopic sensitization, allergic rhinitis, and asthma at 6 years. This effect on AD and FA may be related to the diversity of consumed cheeses ( OR = 0.64 [0.48‐0.85] per cheese type, P = 0.002; OR = 0.55 [0.33‐0.92], P = 0.02, respectively). Conclusion Although reverse causality cannot totally be ruled out, cheese diversity at 18 months had a protective effect against AD and FA at 6 years in addition to the protective effect of diversity of other foods.