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The influence of age and gender on sensitization to aero‐allergens
Author(s) -
Govaere Elke,
Gysel Dirk Van,
Massa Guy,
Verhamme Katia MC,
Doli Erenik,
Baets Frans De
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2007.00570.x
Subject(s) - sensitization , medicine , demography , atopy , sex ratio , young adult , population , allergy , immunology , environmental health , sociology
Boys run a higher risk for atopy than girls but this gender difference is less pronounced in adulthood. The underlying mechanisms and the exact timing of this decrease in male/female ratio remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of age and gender on sensitization in schoolchildren. A cross‐sectional study was performed in an unbiased community population of 2021 Belgian schoolchildren, aged 3.4–14.8 yr. The overall sensitization and the sensitization for mites, mixed grass pollens and tree pollens increased significantly with increasing age. Male sex was strongly associated with sensitization (OR adj 2.0, 98% CI 1.6–2.4). Male predominance was more obvious in children under the age of 8 yr. After the age of 8 male predominance persisted, but a significant increase in sensitized females occurred. Our data demonstrate a significant increase in prevalence of sensitization with age and a significant decrease in male/female ratio of sensitization after the age of 8 yr, although a male predominance persists. These data are the first published data ever that document this change in male/female ratio in sensitization at this age.