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International Journal of... Oct 2011Allergic rhinitis is a respiratory disease caused by an inflammatory process related to IgE mediated reaction versus allergens to which the subject is sensitized.... (Review)
Review
Allergic rhinitis is a respiratory disease caused by an inflammatory process related to IgE mediated reaction versus allergens to which the subject is sensitized. Allergic rhinitis is not an isolated disease because the nasal mucosa inflammation involves paranasal sinuses and lower airways, thus worsening the asthmatic symptoms. Recently, a new classification of allergic rhinitis based on the duration and severity of clinical symptoms has been proposed. This classification takes into consideration both the quality of life and the possible impact of the symptoms on school, work and free-time activities. Children's quality of life is severely compromised by frequent night awakenings, easy fatigue, defects of language and irritability, which can have a negative influence on learning abilities. Allergic rhinitis has a negative impact on the quality of life of the whole family because it can cause interference on social life, and financial costs.
Topics: Child; Environment; Humans; Quality of Life; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal
PubMed: 22032783
DOI: 10.1177/03946320110240s406 -
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Feb 2007Farming has been associated with respiratory symptoms and with protection against atopy. To date, effects of organic farming on respiratory health have not been studied.
BACKGROUND
Farming has been associated with respiratory symptoms and with protection against atopy. To date, effects of organic farming on respiratory health have not been studied.
AIMS
To (1) compare hay fever and asthma-like symptoms in organic and conventional farmers and (2) assess associations between current and childhood farm exposures and respiratory health effects by conducting a survey.
METHODS
Questionnaire data from 1205 conventional and 593 organic farmers were evaluated. Associations between health effects and farm exposures were assessed by logistic regression analyses.
RESULTS
Organic farmers reported less wheezing with shortness of breath and slightly more hay fever than conventional farmers. However, organic farming was not an independent determinant of hay fever when adjusted for farming practices and potential confounders. Livestock farmers who grew up on a farm had a threefold lower prevalence of hay fever than crop farmers without a farm childhood (odds ratio (OR) 0.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1 to 0.5). Both crop farmers who grew up on a farm and livestock farmers who did not grow up on a farm had a reduced prevalence, although less pronounced and not statistically significant. Use of disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium compounds was positively related to hay fever (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1 to 4.4). No effects of farming practices were found for asthma.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study adds to the evidence that a farm childhood in combination with current livestock farming protects against allergic disorders. This effect was found for both organic and conventional farmers.
Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Agricultural Workers' Diseases; Animal Husbandry; Asthma; Environmental Exposure; Epidemiologic Methods; Female; Food, Organic; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal
PubMed: 17018582
DOI: 10.1136/oem.2006.028167 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2022Respiratory diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect millions worldwide and pose a significant global... (Review)
Review
Respiratory diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect millions worldwide and pose a significant global public health burden. Over the years, changes in land use and climate have increased pollen quantity, allergenicity and duration of the pollen season, thus increasing its impact on respiratory disease. Many studies have investigated the associations between short-term ambient pollen (i.e., within days or weeks of exposure) and respiratory outcomes. Here, we reviewed the current evidence on the association between short-term outdoor pollen exposure and thunderstorm asthma (TA), asthma and COPD hospital presentations, general practice (GP) consultations, self-reported respiratory symptoms, lung function changes and their potential effect modifiers. The literature suggests strong evidence of an association between ambient pollen concentrations and almost all respiratory outcomes mentioned above, especially in people with pre-existing respiratory diseases. However, the evidence on sub-clinical lung function changes, COPD, and effect modifiers other than asthma, hay fever and pollen sensitisation are still scarce and requires further exploration. Better understanding of the implications of pollen on respiratory health can aid healthcare professionals to implement appropriate management strategies.
Topics: Allergens; Asthma; Humans; Pollen; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal
PubMed: 35742795
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127541 -
Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America Jun 2011Children with chronic or recurrent upper respiratory inflammatory disease (rhinitis) should be considered for inhalant allergies. Risk factors for inhalant allergies in... (Review)
Review
Children with chronic or recurrent upper respiratory inflammatory disease (rhinitis) should be considered for inhalant allergies. Risk factors for inhalant allergies in children include a first-degree relative with allergies, food allergy in infancy, and atopic dermatitis. Although inhalant allergies are rare in infancy, inhalant allergies are common in older children and impair quality of life and productivity. Differentiating between viral and allergic rhinitis can be challenging in children, but the child's age, history, and risk factors can provide helpful information. Allergic rhinitis is a risk factor for asthma, and if one is present, medical consideration of the other is warranted.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Food Hypersensitivity; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Skin Tests
PubMed: 21621062
DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2011.03.013 -
American Journal of Epidemiology Apr 2010Atopic disease is hypothesized to be protective against several malignancies, including childhood/adolescent leukemia. To summarize the available epidemiologic evidence,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Atopic disease is hypothesized to be protective against several malignancies, including childhood/adolescent leukemia. To summarize the available epidemiologic evidence, the authors performed a meta-analysis of associations between atopy/allergies, asthma, eczema, hay fever, and hives and childhood/adolescent leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). They searched MEDLINE literature (1952-March 2009) and queried international experts to identify eligible studies. Ten case-control studies were included. Summary odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were computed via random-effects models. Odds ratios for atopy/allergies were 1.42 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60, 3.35) for 3 studies of leukemia overall, 0.69 (95% CI: 0.54, 0.89) for 6 studies of ALL, and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.62, 1.22) for 2 studies of AML, with high levels of heterogeneity detected for leukemia overall and ALL. Inverse associations were observed for ALL and asthma (odds ratio (OR) = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.61, 1.02), eczema (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.58, 0.96), and hay fever (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.66) examined separately. Odds ratios for ALL differed by study design, exposure data source, and latency period, indicating that these factors affect study results. These results should be interpreted cautiously given the modest number of studies, substantial heterogeneity, and potential exposure misclassification but are useful in designing future research.
Topics: Adolescent; Asthma; Case-Control Studies; Child; Child, Preschool; Confidence Intervals; Dermatitis, Atopic; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Leukemia; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Multivariate Analysis; Odds Ratio; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Prevalence; Research Design; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Urticaria
PubMed: 20228139
DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwq004 -
Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory... Feb 2012Asthma and allergic rhinitis are common health problems that cause major illness and disability worldwide. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis is estimated to range from... (Review)
Review
Asthma and allergic rhinitis are common health problems that cause major illness and disability worldwide. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis is estimated to range from 10% to 20% in the USA and Europe. Multiple factors contribute to the wide range of reported prevalence rates. These include type of prevalence rate reported (current or cumulative), study selection criteria, age of participants, differences in survey methods, varied geographic locations and socioeconomic status, any of which are significant enough to confound direct comparison between studies. There is no standard set of diagnostic criteria for allergic rhinitis. In most studies, the criteria for diagnosis are based on the subject's reporting, solely by questionnaire and rarely confirmed by skin testing. In addition, most studies focus on hay fever, leaving perennial allergic rhinitis underestimated. Sinus imaging is generally not performed and, therefore, rhinosinusitis not differentiated. Some investigators report 'current' prevalence while others report 'cumulative' or 'lifetime' prevalence. Epidemiologic studies have consistently shown that asthma and rhinitis often coexist in the same patients. The prevalence of asthma is <2% in subjects without rhinitis while it varies from 10% to 40% in patients with rhinitis. Furthermore, the majority of patients with asthma experience rhinitis, which is a factor in the risk for asthma. Despite recognition that allergic rhinitis and asthma are global health problems, there are insufficient epidemiologic data and more data are needed with regard to their etiologic risk factors and natural history. This aim of this review is to enable the reader to discuss prevalence, risk factors and prognosis of allergic rhinitis and asthma.
Topics: Asthma; Global Health; Humans; Prevalence; Prognosis; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Risk Factors
PubMed: 22179899
DOI: 10.1177/1753465811431975 -
Allergology International : Official... Jul 2023Multidisciplinary efforts to prospectively collect and analyze symptoms of hay fever are limited. We aimed to identify the characteristics of nasal and ocular symptoms... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Multidisciplinary efforts to prospectively collect and analyze symptoms of hay fever are limited. We aimed to identify the characteristics of nasal and ocular symptoms of hay fever, using the AllerSearch smartphone application.
METHODS
This mobile health-based prospective observational study using the AllerSearch smartphone application was conducted between February 1, 2018, and May 1, 2020. Individuals who downloaded AllerSearch from Japan and provided comprehensive self-assessments (including 17 items related to quality of life [QoL]-related items) were included. The characteristics and risk factors for allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergic conjunctivitis (AC) were identified using hierarchical heat maps and multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS
Of the 9041 participants with hay fever, 58.8% had AR and AC, 22.2% had AR, and 5.7% had AC. The AR-AC comorbid cohort showed worse symptoms of hay fever and QoL scores than the other cohorts. Factors (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval) associated with AR-AC included a lower age (0.98, 0.97-0.98), female sex (1.31, 1.19-1.45), liver disease (1.58, 1.26-2.35), dry eye disease (1.45, 1.30-1.63), unknown dry eye disease status (1.46, 1.31-1.62), contact lens use discontinuation during the hay fever season (1.69, 1.28-2.23), and bedroom flooring material other than hardwood, carpet, tatami, or vinyl (1.91, 1.16-3.14).
CONCLUSIONS
Analysis of medical big data for hay fever performed using a mobile health app helped identify risk factors and characteristics of AC, AR, and AR-AC. Phenotyping of highly variable symptoms of hay fever, such as nasal and ocular symptoms, can facilitate better-quality clinical care.
Topics: Female; Humans; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Quality of Life; Cross-Sectional Studies; Crowdsourcing; Rhinitis, Allergic; Conjunctivitis, Allergic; Dry Eye Syndromes
PubMed: 36740498
DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2023.01.001 -
Environmental Research Apr 2020Bisphenols F (BPF) and S (BPS) are bisphenol A (BPA) analogs used as substitutes in consumer products. Despite previous reports of BPA's association with asthma, no...
BACKGROUND
Bisphenols F (BPF) and S (BPS) are bisphenol A (BPA) analogs used as substitutes in consumer products. Despite previous reports of BPA's association with asthma, no studies have examined its structural analogs in relation to asthma and allergy outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association of urinary BPF, BPS, and BPA with asthma and hay fever in a US representative sample.
METHODS
We analyzed data from 3,538 participants aged 12 years or older in the 2013-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Children aged 6-11 years (N = 738), who did not have all covariate data available, were analyzed separately. Covariate-adjusted logistic regression was used to assess the association of the exposures with the outcomes.
RESULTS
BPF, BPS, and BPA were detected in 57.1%, 88.4%, and 94.8% of the urine samples, respectively. Urinary BPF detection was positively associated with current asthma (odds ratio [OR]: 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-2.04) and hay fever (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.12-2.46). Urinary BPS was associated with increased odds of current asthma in men (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.13-2.40) and urinary BPA was associated with increased odds of asthma without hay fever in children aged 6-11 years (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.05-6.68).
CONCLUSION
Our nationally-representative findings document that BPF and BPS exposure is common in the US and that exposure to these BPA analogs is associated with asthma and/or hay fever. Our results suggest that BPF and BPS may not be safe alternatives to BPA; however, prospective studies should be conducted to confirm these results.
Topics: Asthma; Benzhydryl Compounds; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Nutrition Surveys; Phenols; Prospective Studies; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Sulfones
PubMed: 31911000
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108944 -
The Journal of the Royal College of... Jul 1989The range of treatments for hay fever available to the general practitioner has changed considerably in recent years. New antihistamines have addressed the problem of... (Review)
Review
The range of treatments for hay fever available to the general practitioner has changed considerably in recent years. New antihistamines have addressed the problem of sedation and moved towards one daily dose; nasally applied corticosteroids avoid the need for systemic steroid therapy and its potential adverse effect; and regulatory decisions have set a trend away from immunotherapy in general practice. However, knowledge about the mechanism of action of immunotherapy is increasing and new developments with improved safety profiles include allergen polymers, allergoids, oral immunotherapy and nasal immunotherapy. Choice of treatment depends, as always, on the individual circumstances of the patient and his or her disease.
Topics: Administration, Intranasal; Child; Humans; Immunotherapy; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal
PubMed: 2556545
DOI: No ID Found -
British Medical Journal (Clinical... Jan 1987The results concerned with the prevalence of asthma and hay fever in the large surveys of morbidity in general practice in 1970-1 and 1981-2 were compared. In data...
The results concerned with the prevalence of asthma and hay fever in the large surveys of morbidity in general practice in 1970-1 and 1981-2 were compared. In data standardised for age the prevalence of asthma in men increased from 11.6 to 20.5 people consulting per 1000 population (p less than 0.001) and in women from 8.8 to 15.9 per 1000 population (p less than 0.001). Similar increases were also evident in data analysed from the 19 practices contributing to both surveys. The prevalence of asthma increased in each age group examined. Increases of similar magnitude were reported for hay fever--the prevalence in men increased from 10.8 to 19.8 people consulting per 1000 population (p less than 0.001) and in women from 10.3 to 19.7 per 1000 population (p less than 0.001) and occurred in all age groups. The prevalence of acute bronchitis was reduced significantly in the age group 5-14 and increased among the elderly. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was reduced substantially in 1981-2. The reported increased prevalence of both asthma and hay fever represented a real increase and was not accounted for by changes in diagnostic preference. Only in the age group 5-14 was there any likelihood that some of the increased prevalence of asthma might have resulted from a reduction in the prevalence of acute bronchitis.
Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Asthma; Bronchitis; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; England; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Wales
PubMed: 3101841
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.294.6567.279