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The European Respiratory Journal Mar 2004
Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Asthma; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Prevalence; Switzerland
PubMed: 15065820
DOI: 10.1183/09031936.04.00134004 -
The British Journal of General Practice... Dec 2023The number of children exposed to maternal mental illness is rapidly increasing and little is known about the effects of maternal mental illness on childhood atopy.
BACKGROUND
The number of children exposed to maternal mental illness is rapidly increasing and little is known about the effects of maternal mental illness on childhood atopy.
AIM
To investigate the association between maternal mental illness and risk of atopy among offspring.
DESIGN AND SETTING
Retrospective cohort study using a UK primary care database (674 general practices).
METHOD
In total, 590 778 children (born 1 January 1993 to 30 November 2017) were followed until their 18th birthday, with 359 611 linked to their hospital records. Time-varying exposure was captured for common (depression and anxiety), serious (psychosis), addiction (alcohol and substance misuse), and other (eating and personality disorder) maternal mental illness from 6 months before pregnancy. Using Cox regression models, incidence rates of atopy were calculated and compared for the exposed and unexposed children in primary (asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, and food allergies) and secondary (asthma and food allergies) care, adjusted for maternal (age, atopy history, smoking, and antibiotic use), child (sex, ethnicity, and birth year/season), and area covariates (deprivation and region).
RESULTS
Children exposed to common maternal mental illness were at highest risk of developing asthma (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15 to 1.20) and allergic rhinitis (aHR 1.17, 95% CI = 1.13 to 1.21), as well as a hospital admission for asthma (aHR 1.29, 95% CI = 1.20 to 1.38). Children exposed to addiction disorders were 9% less likely to develop eczema (aHR 0.91, 95% CI = 0.85 to 0.97) and 35% less likely to develop food allergies (aHR 0.65, 95% CI = 0.45 to 0.93).
CONCLUSION
The finding that risk of atopy varies by type of maternal mental illness prompts important aetiological questions. The link between common mental illness and childhood atopy requires GPs and policymakers to act and support vulnerable women to access preventive (for example, smoking cessation) services earlier.
Topics: Pregnancy; Child; Humans; Female; Cohort Studies; Retrospective Studies; Mental Disorders; Eczema; Asthma; Mothers; Rhinitis, Allergic; Surveys and Questionnaires; Food Hypersensitivity; United Kingdom; Primary Health Care
PubMed: 37783510
DOI: 10.3399/BJGP.2022.0584 -
Environmental Research May 2021Microbial exposures in early childhood direct the development of the immune system and their diversity may influence the risk of allergy development. We aimed to...
BACKGROUND
Microbial exposures in early childhood direct the development of the immune system and their diversity may influence the risk of allergy development. We aimed to determine whether the indoor microbial diversity at early-life is associated with the development of allergic rhinitis and inhalant atopy.
METHODS
The study population included children within two birth cohorts: Finnish rural-suburban LUKAS (N = 312), and German urban LISA from Munich and Leipzig study centers (N = 248). The indoor microbiota diversity (Chao1 richness and Shannon entropy) was characterized from floor dust samples collected at the child age of 2-3 months by Illumina MiSeq sequencing of bacterial and fungal DNA amplicons. Allergic rhinitis and inhalant atopy were determined at the age of 10 years and analyzed using logistic regression models.
RESULTS
High bacterial richness (aOR 0.19, 95%CI 0.09-0.42 for middle and aOR 0.12, 95%CI 0.05-0.29 for highest vs. lowest tertile) and Shannon entropy were associated with lower risk of allergic rhinitis in LISA, and similar trend was seen in LUKAS. We observed some significant associations between bacterial and fungal diversity measured and the risk of inhalant atopy, but the associations were inconsistent between the two cohorts. High bacterial diversity tended to be associated with increased risk of inhalant atopy in rural areas, but lower risk in more urban areas. Fungal diversity tended to be associated with increased risk of inhalant atopy only in LISA.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that a higher bacterial diversity may reduce the risk of allergic rhinitis later in childhood. The environment-dependent heterogeneity in the associations with inhalant atopy - visible here as inconsistent results between two differing cohorts - suggests that specific constituents of the diversity may be relevant.
Topics: Allergens; Child; Child, Preschool; Dust; Fungi; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Infant; Microbiota; Rhinitis, Allergic
PubMed: 33582132
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110835 -
Dermatitis : Contact, Atopic,... 2019Atopic dermatitis (AD) associated with respiratory atopy may represent a form of systemic contact dermatitis (SCD), whereby AD flares after ingestion or inhalation of...
BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis (AD) associated with respiratory atopy may represent a form of systemic contact dermatitis (SCD), whereby AD flares after ingestion or inhalation of allergens.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of positive patch tests to allergens known to cause SCD in AD patients with and without respiratory atopy.
METHODS
This is a retrospective study of patients with AD patch tested to 23 allergens known to cause SCD. Positive patch tests were compared between AD patients with and without respiratory atopy, stratified by age and wet or dry work occupation.
CONCLUSIONS
Children and adolescents, but not adults, with AD and respiratory atopy were more likely than age-matched AD patients without respiratory atopy to have positive patch tests to these allergens (odds ratio, 2.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-4.79). Moreover, AD patients with respiratory atopy and engaging in wet work, but not dry work, occupations were more likely than AD patients without respiratory atopy to have positive patch tests to allergens known to cause SCD (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.06). Thus, respiratory atopy and wet work are associated with sensitization to allergens known to cause SCD in patients with AD, and patch testing may be valuable in identifying systemic triggers of dermatitis in these patients.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Allergens; Asthma; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Immunization; Male; Occupational Exposure; Odds Ratio; Patch Tests; Prevalence; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Retrospective Studies; Rhinitis, Allergic; Young Adult
PubMed: 30640765
DOI: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000436 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... May 2014In 2003, we recorded a striking difference in the prevalence of atopy between village and small-town populations in southwest Poland. Nine years later, we undertook a... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
BACKGROUND
In 2003, we recorded a striking difference in the prevalence of atopy between village and small-town populations in southwest Poland. Nine years later, we undertook a second survey of the same area.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to assess whether rapid changes in farming practices, driven by accession to the European Union in 2004, were accompanied by an increase in atopy, asthma, and hay fever in these villages.
METHODS
In 2012, we surveyed 1730 inhabitants older than 5 years (response rate, 85%); 560 villagers and 348 town inhabitants who had taken part in the earlier survey. Participants completed a questionnaire on farm-related exposures and symptoms of asthma and hay fever. Atopy was assessed by using skin prick tests.
RESULTS
In 2012, far fewer villagers had contact with cows (4% vs 24.3% in 2003) or pigs (14% vs 33.5%), milked cows (2.7% vs 12.7%), or drank unpasteurized milk (9% vs 35%). Among the villagers, there was a significant increase at all ages in the prevalence of atopy between 2003 and 2012 both in the total population (7.3% vs 19.6%, P < .0001) and among those who took part in both surveys (7.9% vs 17.8%, P < .0001). Among the townspeople, the prevalence of atopy did not change substantially (20% vs 19.9% and 21.7% vs 18.5%, respectively). Hay fever increased 2-fold in the villages (3.0% vs 7.7%) but not in the town (7.1% vs 7.2%); there was little or no change in asthma prevalence in the villages (5.0% vs 4.3%) or town (4.3% vs 5.0%).
CONCLUSIONS
We report a substantial increase in atopy at all ages and in a remarkably short period of time in a Polish population whose farm-related exposures were dramatically reduced after their country's accession to the European Union.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Agriculture; Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; European Union; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Poland; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Rural Population; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 24342546
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.10.035 -
Movement Disorders Clinical Practice Oct 2022To clarify patterns of comorbid atopic disorders in children with tic disorders compared to controls, and to evaluate whether medications commonly used for treatment of...
OBJECTIVE
To clarify patterns of comorbid atopic disorders in children with tic disorders compared to controls, and to evaluate whether medications commonly used for treatment of tics and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are associated with differing risks of atopy.
BACKGROUND
Inflammatory mechanisms are increasingly recognized as playing a role in a range of neuropsychiatric disorders. The association between tic disorders, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and atopic disorders is uncertain.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective cohort study using the global electronic health records database TriNetX. Using odds ratios, we compared the risk of atopy in children with tic disorder (n = 4508), ADHD (n = 83,569), and/or OCD (n = 1555) to controls (n = 758 290). To analyze the risk of developing atopy with use of different medications commonly prescribed to treat tics and ADHD, we performed a separate analysis including children with tic disorder, ADHD, and/or OCD who had initiated treatment with one of these medications. Binary logistic regression controlling for age and sex was used to calculate odds ratios.
RESULTS
Children with tic disorder, ADHD, or OCD were more likely than controls to have comorbid atopy. Children who had taken clonidine, guanfacine, methylphenidate, or dexmethylphenidate were more likely to develop an atopic disorder than controls.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests a link between atopic disorders and tic disorders, ADHD, and OCD. Although the underlying mechanism for this association remains unclear, medication use may play a role.
PubMed: 36247912
DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.13506 -
Clinical & Developmental Immunology 2012Asthma is a hereditary disease associated with IgE-mediated reaction. Whether maternal atopy and paternal atopy have different impacts on perinatal IgE production and... (Review)
Review
Asthma is a hereditary disease associated with IgE-mediated reaction. Whether maternal atopy and paternal atopy have different impacts on perinatal IgE production and asthma development remains unclear. This paper reviews and summarizes the effects of maternal and paternal atopy on the developmental aspects of IgE production and asthma. Maternal atopy affects both pre- and postnatal IgE production, whereas paternal atopy mainly affects the latter. Maternally transmitted genes GSTP1 and FceRI-beta are associated with lung function and allergic sensitization, respectively. In IgE production and asthma development, the maternal influence on gene-environment interaction is greater than paternal influence. Maternal, paternal, and/or postnatal environmental modulation of allergic responses have been linked to epigenetic mechanisms, which may be good targets for early prevention of asthma.
Topics: Adult; Asthma; Fathers; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Immunoglobulin E; Infant, Newborn; Male; Mothers; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Risk Factors
PubMed: 22272211
DOI: 10.1155/2012/132142 -
World Journal of Methodology Dec 2015Recently a lot of literature has been published about the possible preventive action of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) against allergy. The present review summarizes... (Review)
Review
Recently a lot of literature has been published about the possible preventive action of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) against allergy. The present review summarizes research data about the association between H. pylori and allergic diseases, as well as discusses possible hypotheses about the preventive action of H. pylori against atopy. There is evidence from observational studies to support a weak inverse association between prevalence of H. pylori infection and allergy. However, confounders like some unidentified socioeconomic factors, antibiotic use and others could bias the association. Although data from cohort studies point to a possible association of H. pylori with some of the allergic diseases, no definite proof for causal relationship has been clearly demonstrated yet. A biological mechanism proposed to explain the preventive action of H. pylori to allergy is reduced exposure to a major stimulus for the generation of Treg cells in individuals without H. pylori infection. In addition, H. pylori could be an indicator for changes in gut microbiome, reflecting the complex interaction between microbes and immune system.
PubMed: 26713280
DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v5.i4.203 -
Archives of Disease in Childhood Aug 2016
Topics: Asthma; Child; Diagnostic Errors; Humans; Medical Overuse; Reproducibility of Results; Respiratory Function Tests
PubMed: 27049005
DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2015-309053 -
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Jul 2013Both atopy and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) are characteristic features of asthma. They are also found among non-asthmatic subjects, including allergic rhinitis...
Both atopy and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) are characteristic features of asthma. They are also found among non-asthmatic subjects, including allergic rhinitis patients and the general population. Atopy and BHR in asthma are closely related. Atopy induces airway inflammation as an IgE response to a specific allergen, which causes or amplifies BHR. Moreover, significant evidence of the close relationship between atopy and BHR has been found in non-asthmatic subjects. In this article, we discuss the relationship between atopy and BHR in the general population, asthmatic subjects, and those with allergic rhinitis. This should widen our understanding of the pathophysiology of atopy and BHR.
PubMed: 23814670
DOI: 10.4168/aair.2013.5.4.181