Open AccessMale sex is strongly associated with IgE‐sensitization to airborne but not food allergens: results up to age 24 years from the BAMSE birth cohort
Author(s) -
Melén Erik,
Bergström Anna,
Kull Inger,
Almqvist Catarina,
Andersson Niklas,
Asarnoj Anna,
Borres Magnus P.,
Georgellis Antonis,
Pershagen Göran,
Westman Marit,
Hage Marianne,
Ballardini Natalia
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
clinical and translational allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.979
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2045-7022
DOI - 10.1186/s13601-020-00319-w
Subject(s) - sensitization , medicine , immunoglobulin e , immunology , airborne allergen , population , cohort , allergen , young adult , allergy , food allergens , antibody , environmental health
Background Up to half of the population in high‐income countries has allergen‐specific IgE antibodies. However, data regarding sex differences of IgE‐sensitization from childhood to adulthood is limited. Objective To explore IgE‐sensitization to common foods and airborne allergens in relation to sex over time in a population‐based cohort followed up to young adulthood. Methods The Swedish population‐based birth cohort BAMSE includes 4089 subjects who have been followed regularly with questionnaires and clinical investigations. A recent 24‐year follow‐up included 3069 participants (75%). Sera collected at 4, 8, 16 and 24 years were analyzed for IgE‐antibodies to 14 common foods and airborne allergens. Results At 24 years sensitization to foods had decreased compared to previous follow‐ups affecting 8.4%, while sensitization to airborne allergens was more common, affecting 42.2%. Male sex was associated with IgE‐sensitization to airborne allergens at all ages (overall OR: 1.68, 95% CI 1.46–1.94) while there was no statistically significant association between sex and sensitization to food allergens (overall OR: 1.10, 95% CI 0.93–1.32). Levels of allergen‐specific IgE did not differ significantly between males and females for any of the tested foods or airborne allergens at any age, following adjustment for multiple comparisons. Conclusion IgE‐sensitization to airborne allergens increases with age up to young adulthood, whereas sensitization to food allergens seems to level off. Male sex is strongly associated with IgE‐sensitization to airborne allergens from early childhood up to young adulthood. In contrast, there is little evidence for associations between sex and IgE‐sensitization to foods.