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Psychological Medicine Jan 2017Prior studies have suggested a relationship between atopy and mental health, although methodological barriers have limited the generalizability of these findings. The...
BACKGROUND
Prior studies have suggested a relationship between atopy and mental health, although methodological barriers have limited the generalizability of these findings. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between early-life atopy and vulnerability to mental health problems among youth in the community.
METHOD
Data were drawn from the Raine Study (N = 2868), a population-based birth cohort study in Western Australia. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations were used to examine the relationship between atopy at ages 1-5 years [using parent report and objective biological confirmation (sera IgE)], and the range of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems at ages 5-17 years.
RESULTS
Atopy appears to be associated with increased vulnerability to affective and anxiety problems, compared to youth without atopy. These associations remained significant after adjusting for a range of potential confounders. No relationship was evident between atopy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or externalizing problems.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings are the first linking atopy (measured by both parent report and objective verification) with increased vulnerability to affective and anxiety problems. Therefore, replication is required. If replicated, future research aimed at understanding the possible biological and/or social and environmental pathways underlying these links is needed. Such information could shed light on shared pathways that could lead to more effective treatments for both atopy and internalizing mental health problems.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety Disorders; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Comorbidity; Disease Susceptibility; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Infant; Mood Disorders; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Western Australia
PubMed: 27762174
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291716001896 -
Medical Mycology Apr 2011Allergic asthma is an obstructive lung disease linked to environmental exposures that elicit allergic airway inflammation and characteristic antigen-specific... (Review)
Review
Allergic asthma is an obstructive lung disease linked to environmental exposures that elicit allergic airway inflammation and characteristic antigen-specific immunoglobulin reactions termed atopy. Analyses of asthma pathogenesis using experimental models have shown that T helper cells, especially T helper type 2 (Th2) cells and Th2 cytokines such as interleukin 4 (IL-4) and IL-13, are critical mediators of airway obstruction following allergen challenge, but the environmental initiators of lung Th2 responses are less defined. Our studies demonstrate that fungal-derived proteinases that are commonly found in home environments are requisite immune adjuvants capable of eliciting robust Th2 responses and allergic lung disease in mice. We have further shown that common household fungi readily infect the mouse respiratory tract and induce both asthma-like disease and atopy to otherwise innocuous bystander antigens through the secretion of proteinases. These findings support the possibility that asthma and atopy represent a reaction to respiratory tract fungal infection, suggesting novel means for diagnosis and therapy of diverse allergic disorders.
Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Allergens; Animals; Asthma; Disease Models, Animal; Fungal Proteins; Fungi; Interleukin-13; Interleukin-4; Lung; Mice; Mycoses; Peptide Hydrolases; Respiratory System; Th2 Cells
PubMed: 20807032
DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2010.509743 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Jul 2017Previous studies, mostly from Europe, suggest that early-life farming exposures protect against childhood asthma and allergy; few data exist on asthma and allergy in...
BACKGROUND
Previous studies, mostly from Europe, suggest that early-life farming exposures protect against childhood asthma and allergy; few data exist on asthma and allergy in adults.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to examine associations between early-life farming exposures and current asthma and atopy in an older adult US farming population.
METHODS
We analyzed data from 1746 farmers and 1555 spouses (mean age, 63) from a case-control study nested within the Agricultural Health Study. Current asthma and early-life farming exposures were assessed via questionnaires. We defined atopy based on specific IgE > 0.70 IU/mL to at least 1 of 10 allergens measured in blood. We used logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, race, state (Iowa or North Carolina), and smoking (pack years), to estimate associations between early-life exposures and asthma (1198 cases and 2031 noncases) or atopy (578 cases and 2526 noncases).
RESULTS
Exposure to the farming environment in utero and in early childhood had little or no association with asthma but was associated with reduced odds of atopy. The strongest association was seen for having a mother who performed farm activities while pregnant (odds ratio, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.48-0.74) and remained significant in models with correlated early-life exposures including early childhood farm animal contact and raw milk consumption.
CONCLUSIONS
In a large US farming population, early-life farm exposures, particularly maternal farming activities while pregnant, were strongly associated with reduced risk of atopy in adults. These results extend previous work done primarily on childhood outcomes and suggest that protective associations of early-life farming exposures on atopy endure across the life course.
Topics: Aged; Asthma; Case-Control Studies; Environmental Exposure; Farms; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Immunoglobulin E; Iowa; Male; Middle Aged; North Carolina; Odds Ratio; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Smoking
PubMed: 27845237
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.09.036 -
The Journal of International Medical... Jan 2020In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases among a homogenous group of students attending the health...
OBJECTIVE
In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases among a homogenous group of students attending the health colleges of a Saudi university and to investigate the relationship between their atopy profile and associated clinical symptoms of allergic diseases.
METHODS
A total of 222 students completed the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and underwent skin prick testing (SPT) using a standardized panel of allergenic extracts.
RESULTS
Overall prevalence of physician-diagnosed allergic diseases was 27% for bronchial asthma (BA), 13.1% for atopic dermatitis (AD), and 5% for allergic rhinitis (AR). Atopy was present in 90 (40.5%) students. Students with atopic disease were more likely to have physician-diagnosed BA, AR, and AD. Atopy and polysensitization was more frequent among male than female students. SPT results were positive in 20.8% of participants for Bermuda grass, 18.9% for cat fur, and 12.7% for .
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of atopy and allergic diseases in Saudi young adults is high and worrisome. Comorbid allergic diseases were more prevalent among our participants with atopic disease. Determination of allergen sensitization patterns in patients with atopic disease is crucial for selecting proper preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Topics: Asthma; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dermatitis, Atopic; Female; Humans; Male; Rhinitis, Allergic; Saudi Arabia; Skin Tests; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities; Young Adult
PubMed: 32008405
DOI: 10.1177/0300060519899760 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2019The prevalence of allergic disorders has been increasing worldwide and significantly impacts the quality of life of the atopic individual. There has been an increased... (Review)
Review
The prevalence of allergic disorders has been increasing worldwide and significantly impacts the quality of life of the atopic individual. There has been an increased interest in the role of probiotics for the prevention and treatment of allergic disorders, given the recent evidence that atopy risk may be associated with a dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. Research in this area is ongoing with some studies showing possible benefits of probiotics, with seemingly little to no risk. While these studies suggest that there may be a promise in probiotic use for the prevention or treatment of allergy, further evidence is needed to determine its efficacy, optimal dosing, and strains needed for treatment. In this review, we discuss recently published studies examining the benefits, risks, and role of probiotics in preventing atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy.
PubMed: 30764558
DOI: 10.3390/children6020024 -
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii Feb 2022Whether individuals with atopic diseases have a different risk of contact allergy compared to those who are non-atopic is controversial and data are conflicting.
INTRODUCTION
Whether individuals with atopic diseases have a different risk of contact allergy compared to those who are non-atopic is controversial and data are conflicting.
AIM
To explore the association between atopy and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This retrospective cross-sectional study included 301 patients referred to a tertiary clinic to evaluate ACD. Demographic details including personal and familial mucosal or cutaneous atopic status were recorded. Patch tests were tailored to their clinical presentations and relevant exposures.
RESULTS
At least 1 positive patch test reaction was observed in 177 patients (59% of the study cohort), of which 52% had a history of atopic diseases, compared with 44% of patients with a negative patch test result ( = 0.2). Additionally, 147 patients had an atopic background, of which 92 (62%) had ≥ 1 positive patch test result, compared with 55% of non-atopic patients ( = 0.2). Nickel sulphate was the most common contact allergen (13.4% of the patch test reactions).
CONCLUSIONS
We identified a positive tendency for atopic diseases among individuals with ACD and vice versa. Our study supports the aggregate data from previous studies despite the non-significant differences between the study and control groups. However, further research performed in larger populations of patients is necessary to evaluate the real association between atopy and ACD on a solid basis. Our results indicate the necessity of systematic patch testing in patient setups with atopic background and chronic dermatitis.
PubMed: 35369630
DOI: 10.5114/ada.2022.113606 -
Epigenomics Jun 2022Breast milk-derived extracellular vesicle (EV) miRNAs may program child health outcomes associated with maternal asthma and atopy. The authors investigated associations...
Breast milk-derived extracellular vesicle (EV) miRNAs may program child health outcomes associated with maternal asthma and atopy. The authors investigated associations between maternal asthma/atopy and EV miRNAs in the Programming of Intergenerational Stress Mechanisms cohort. Breast milk-derived EV miRNAs collected 6.1 ± 5.9 weeks postnatally (n = 80 mothers) were profiled using the TaqMan OpenArray Human MicroRNA Panel. The authors assessed associations using adjusted robust regression. Nine EV miRNAs were associated with asthma during pregnancy ( criteria: nominal p < 0.05; || >0.2). miR-1290 was associated with asthma and atopy during pregnancy (p < 0.05; || >0.2). Enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways included TGF-β signaling and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction (false discovery rate <0.05). In this study, maternal asthma and atopy were associated with breast milk-derived EV miRNAs. Additional studies are needed to understand whether EV miRNAs have direct effects on infant and child health.
Topics: Asthma; Extracellular Vesicles; Female; Humans; Infant; MicroRNAs; Milk, Human; Mothers; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35638388
DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0090 -
Prilozi (Makedonska Akademija Na... Oct 2021Leptin, as a major adipokine, positively correlates with the body's fat, while atopy is an important feature in the development of childhood asthma. We aimed to evaluate...
Leptin, as a major adipokine, positively correlates with the body's fat, while atopy is an important feature in the development of childhood asthma. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between leptin, parameters of obesity, and atopy in children with asthma. The study included 112 children (73 boys, 39 girls, mean age 11.1±2.4). 41 were overweight, 38 had asthma and a normal body mass index (BMI), and 33 were overweight asthmatics. Serum leptin levels, BMI, waist circumference (WC), and waist to hips ratio (WHR) were measured. Skin prick test (SPT)/CAP, total serum IgE, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and pulmonary function tests were performed. In asthmatic children, serum leptin median level was 9.2±16.2 ng/ml, in overweight children was 30.6±21.6 ng/ml, and in overweight asthmatics was 31.1±20.3 ng/ml with a significant difference between the groups (p=0.0374), yet with a significantly lower median level in the group of children with asthma compared to the overweight children: with asthma (p=0.00001) and without asthma (p=0.00001). In the three groups of patients, BMI and WC displayed a significant positive correlation with leptin (for BMI r=0.652 vs. r=0.530 vs. r=0.563, respectively and for WC r=0.508 vs. r=0.426 vs. r=0.527, respectively). No significant correlations of leptin within atopy parameters (Eo, IgE, SPT/CAP, FeNO) in all three analyzed groups (p>0.05) was detected. : Atopy was not confirmed as an underlying mechanism of the association between asthma and being overweight. Leptin had a significant linear correlation as a parameter of central obesity with BMI and WC in all three groups, but not with WHR.
Topics: Adolescent; Asthma; Body Mass Index; Child; Female; Humans; Leptin; Male; Obesity; Waist Circumference
PubMed: 34699713
DOI: 10.2478/prilozi-2021-0024 -
Pediatric Health, Medicine and... 2018Besides their fundamental role in transfusion medicine, ABO and other histo-blood group antigens are associated with the pathogenesis of some human diseases such as... (Review)
Review
Besides their fundamental role in transfusion medicine, ABO and other histo-blood group antigens are associated with the pathogenesis of some human diseases such as malignancy and thrombosis. Reports also show a possible relationship with the risk of asthma and other forms of respiratory atopy. This paper aims to critically review the current evidence linking ABO histo-blood group with the risk of respiratory atopy in children and adults. A literature search was conducted with PubMed to gather baseline data about this relationship. The search extended to studies published within the past 45 years. First, the molecular mechanism underpinning the role of ABO antigenic system in human diseases comprises a fascinating relationship with von Willebrand factor and several pro-inflammatory and adhesion molecules. Second, specific blood group types vary with asthma phenotypes; severe asthma is associated with B phenotype, while mild and moderate asthma is associated with O and A phenotypes. Third, O phenotype has been linked to allergic rhinitis but only in males. Furthermore, asthma risk is related to O/Lewis negative/secretor phenotypes, while a significant relationship has also been established with B phenotype but not with A and O phenotypes. However, one study failed to establish a significant relationship with any of the ABO blood group antigens. In conclusion, there is no unanimity on the specific histo-blood groups linked to respiratory atopy risk, although asthma phenotypes are associated with specific blood groups. Despite the prospect that this relationship holds for the use of blood-group typing in evaluating respiratory atopy risk in children, more evidence-based studies are still required for its validation.
PubMed: 30102298
DOI: 10.2147/PHMT.S162570 -
The European Respiratory Journal Dec 2011Vitamin D has been linked in some studies with atopy- and asthma-associated phenotypes in children with established disease, but its role in disease inception at the...
Vitamin D has been linked in some studies with atopy- and asthma-associated phenotypes in children with established disease, but its role in disease inception at the community level is less clear. The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between vitamin D status and biological signatures indicative of allergy and asthma development in children aged 6 and 14 years in Perth, WA, Australia (latitude 32° S). Serum vitamin D was assayed in 989 6-yr-olds and 1,380 14-yr-olds from an unselected community birth cohort; 689 subjects were assessed at both ages. Vitamin D levels were assessed as a risk modifier for respiratory and allergic outcomes at both ages, using previously ascertained phenotypic data. The predictive value of vitamin D levels at age 6 yrs for development of clinical phenotypes at age 14 yrs was also examined. Serum vitamin D levels in children of both ages were negatively associated with concurrent allergic phenotypes; sex stratification revealed that this association was restricted mainly to males. Furthermore, vitamin D levels at age 6 yrs were significant predictors of subsequent atopy/asthma-associated phenotypes at age 14 yrs. In an unselected community setting, children (particularly males) with inadequate vitamin D are at increased risk of developing atopy, and subsequently bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and asthma. In a large unselected cohort, males with inadequate vitamin D at 6 and 14 yrs of age had increased atopy and BHR. Low vitamin D at age 6 yrs was a predictor of atopy and asthma at 14 yrs of age.
Topics: Adolescent; Allergens; Animals; Asthma; Bronchial Hyperreactivity; Child; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Predictive Value of Tests; Prevalence; Pyroglyphidae; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory Sounds; Rhinitis; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Vitamin D; Western Australia
PubMed: 21565922
DOI: 10.1183/09031936.00029011