engleski

Increasing trend in atopy markers prevalence in a Croatian adult population between 1985-1999

Background: Reports about increasing prevalence of atopy and atopic diseases are common, but recently they have been critically reviewed and need for relevant research methods established. Objectives: This study evaluated a 15-year trend in the prevalence of atopy markers (elevated total IgE, positive skin prick test (SPT) to common aeroallergens and positive atopic symptoms) in Croatian adults, separately for women and men. Methods: The study included 721 subjects (445 men and 276 women), 18– 45 years old, examined for allergies within pre-employment preventive examination. All subjects underwent medical history, SPT with common inhalatory allergens, and total serum IgE measurement. The trend analysis of atopy prevalence was performed after stratification of subjects into three consecutive five-year periods from 1985 to 1999. Results: The prevalence of concurrently elevated total IgE and positive atopic symptoms significantly increased during the studied period in men (OR 2.44, 95%CI 1.39-4.29, p=0.002). Women showed an increased prevalence of positive SPT only, with borderline significance (OR 1.65, 95%CI 1.00-2.71, p=0.050). In women, rural residence was found as the predictor of elevated total IgE (OR 5.36, 95%CI 2.41-11.93, p=0.000) and smoking as the predictor of concurrently elevated total IgE and positive SPT (OR 6.20, 95%CI 1.67-23.07, p=0.006). Conclusions: Increasing trend in the prevalence of concurrently elevated total IgE and positive atopic symptoms was found in the Croatian adult male population between 1985 and 1999, but not in the female population. Sex differences responsible for production and regulation of IgE were suggested.

atopic symptoms; atopy; sex; skin prick test; time-trend; total IgE

Published article online: 10-Oct-2007 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02836.x