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- Carsin, A. E., et al.
(författare)
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Serum Total Immunoglobulin E Is a Surrogate of Atopy in Adult-Onset Asthma: A Longitudinal Study
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Archives of Allergy and Immunology. - : S. Karger AG. - 1018-2438 .- 1423-0097. ; 160:4, s. 387-392
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Studies have shown that serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels are higher in asthmatics. However, the role of the serum total IgE level, independently from atopy, in adult asthma is not understood. We studied the associations between serum total IgE, the number of sensitizations and the sum of specific IgEs and new-onset asthma using longitudinal data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. Methods: Serum total and specific IgE to 4 common inhalant allergens were measured at baseline in 9,175 participants, with a follow-up of 9 years. Individuals with asthma history and/or asthma symptoms were excluded. Atopy was defined as the presence of at least one specific IgE >= 0.35 kU/l. Total and specific IgEs were regressed against new-onset asthma using multivariate logistic regression with a random intercept for the study centre. Results: Two hundred and ninety-seven participants had developed asthma during follow-up (incidence rate 5.7 per 1,000 person- years). A 10% higher level of total IgE was associated with a 12% increased risk of new-onset asthma (p = 0.005). However, after adjustment for the number of positive specific IgEs [odds ratio (OR) for multiple sensitization 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-2.88] and the sum of allergen-specific IgEs (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.00-1.40), the association between total IgE and asthma disappeared (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.91-1.10). Seventeen percent of new-onset asthma cases could be attributed to atopy, and this estimate was not largely modified when the total IgE level was simultaneously taken into account. Conclusions: After taking into account the number and intensity of 4 specific IgEs, the serum total IgE level was not associated with new-onset asthma in adults.
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| 2. |
- Chen, C-M, et al.
(författare)
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Geographical variation and the determinants of domestic endotoxin levels in mattress dust in Europe
- 2012
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Ingår i: Indoor Air. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0905-6947 .- 1600-0668. ; 22:1, s. 24-32
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Endotoxin exposures have manifold effects on human health. The geographical variation and determinants of domestic endotoxin levels in Europe have not yet been extensively described. To investigate the geographical variation and determinants of domestic endotoxin concentrations in mattress dust in Europe using data collected in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey follow-up (ECRHS II). Endotoxin levels were measured in mattress dust from 974 ECRHS II participants from 22 study centers using an immunoassay. Information on demographic, lifestyle, and housing characteristics of the participants was obtained in face-to-face interviews. The median endotoxin concentration in mattress dust ranged from 772 endotoxin units per gram (EU/g) dust in Reykjavik, Iceland, to 4806 EU/g in Turin, Italy. High average outdoor summer temperature of study center, cat or dog keeping, a high household crowding index, and visible damp patches in the bedroom were significantly associated with a higher endotoxin concentrations in mattress dust. There is a large variability in domestic endotoxin levels across Europe. Average outdoor summer temperature of study center, which explains only 10% of the variation in domestic endotoxin level by center, is the strongest meteorological determinant. The observed variation needs to be taken into account when evaluating the health effects of endotoxin exposures in international contexts. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The incoherent observations of the health effects of endotoxin may be partly owing to the geographical heterogeneity of endotoxin exposure. Therefore, the observed variation should be considered in further studies. Measurements of indoor endotoxin are recommended as an indicator for the level of exposures of individual domestic environments.
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