scholarly journals Frequency of self-reported allergies at a high-complexity referral hospital in Colombia, a tropical Latin American country

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 100-105
Author(s):  
Lucia C. Pérez-Herrera ◽  
Sergio Moreno-López ◽  
Daniel Peñaranda ◽  
Elizabeth Garcia ◽  
Edgardo Chapman ◽  
...  

Background: The frequency of allergic diseases in tropical Latin American populations is poorly understood, and certain particularities can impact their natural history and risk factors. Objective: The study aimed to determine the frequency of self-reported allergies (allergic dis-eases, drug, and food allergies) in patients who attended the Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Colombia.Material and methods: A retrospective study was conducted to assess the frequency of self-reported allergies reported by all the patients who attended an allergy referral center between June and December 2019.Results: A total of 60978 patients were included. Allergic rhinitis was reported by 1.51% (n = 921), asthma by 1.28% (n = 782), and atopic dermatitis by 0.41% (n = 250) of the study population. A higher frequency of self-reported allergic diseases (rhinitis, asthma, and dermatitis) was found in the younger populations, while drug allergies were more frequently reported in adults. The most frequently self-reported drug allergies were penicillin allergy (4.07%, n = 2479), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) allergy (1.85%, n = 1116). The most commonly reported food allergens included shellfish (0.58%), fruits (0.54%), cow’s milk protein (0.37%), and eggs (0.21%). Conclusion: The distribution of food allergens showed a higher frequency of shrimp and fruit allergies compared to previous studies on African, Asian, and Arabic tropical populations that describe a higher predominance of egg and milk allergies. Patients reporting allergic diseases should always be referred to the allergology department for confirmatory testing.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan F. Salazar-Espinosa.

The atopic march is defined as the progression of atopic diseases, generally during childhood, such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis and food allergies. The main risk factors for developing these atopic diseases include genetics, aeroallergens, food allergens, latefood introduction to the infant, and living in developing countries. The immunologic contributors to this problem include the Th2 response, epigenetics, and lack of certain factors like thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and filaggrin. As a whole, the therapeutic approach has been changing during recent years because of the discovery of new factors involved in this problem. This article explains the definition of atopic march, the immunological pathway, clinical features, epidemiology and therapeutic approaches to create a context for the broader understanding of this important condition.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Asghar Pasha ◽  
Gargi Patel ◽  
Russell Hopp ◽  
Qi Yang

Background: Over the past decade, there has been increasing interest and research into understanding the type 2 immune responses by the epithelium-derived cytokines interleukin (IL) 33, IL-25, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin. Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) are a unique family of effector immune cells that functionally resemble T cells but lack clonal distributed antigen receptors. Group 2 ILCs, ILC2s, are known for their capability to secrete proallergic cytokines, including IL-5 and IL-13. ILC2s are enriched at mucosal barriers in lung, gut, and skin, and their activation has been associated with a variety of allergic disorders. Objective: To study the role of ILC2 in different allergic disorders, including allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies. Methods: A MEDLINE search was performed for articles that reported on ILC2 in allergic disorders, including allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies. Results: A review of the literature revealed an important role of ILC2 in various allergic disorders. Conclusion: Identification of ILC2s in patients with allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis indicates that these cells may represent a new therapeutic target. In this review, we discussed the current understanding of ILC2 biology and its function and regulation in various allergic diseases.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Fereshte Dehghan Banadaki ◽  
Mahboubeh Mansouri ◽  
Reza Shekarriz-Foumani

Introduction: Allergic diseases include a wide range of symptoms such as asthma, rhinitis, urticaria, eczema, and gastrointestinal symptoms that are becoming increasingly prevalent in today’s world. Exposure to food allergens is one of the contributing factors for allergic diseases in humans. The identification of susceptibility to food allergens plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.Materials and Methods: After the clinical diagnosis of allergic diseases, patients were examined using the skin prick test.The method of collecting data was observational. All data were entered in SPSS software version 21 and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: A total of 466 patients with a mean age of                          years were studied, of which 58.6% were boys and 41.4% were girls. A total of 44.2% patients had asthma, 21.7% had allergic rhinitis, 2.1% had allergic sinusitis, 1.7% had conjunctivitis, 1.1% had angioedema, 11.6% had urticaria, 19.7% had eczema, and 26.8% had gastrointestinal allergic symptoms. A total of 114 patients (24.5%) had food allergies, of which 43.9% were girls and 56.1% were boys. In terms of the age and gender of patients, no statistically significant difference was observed between different food allergens (P<.05). The most common allergens in patients under study were peanuts (7.9%), milk (7.3%), almond (6.6%), freshwater fish (6.6%), and walnuts (6.4%).Conclusion: The findings revealed that allergen prevalence in each region is influenced by its climatic conditions, people’s food habits, their racial differences, and their lifestyles.


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 472-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Souheil Hallit ◽  
Chantal Raherison ◽  
Diana Malaeb ◽  
Rabih Hallit ◽  
Nelly Kheir ◽  
...  

Objective: To create an allergic disease risk factors scale score that would screen for the risk assessment of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis (AD) in children from 3 to 17 years. Methods: This case-control study, conducted between December 2015 and April 2016, enrolled 1,274 children. The allergic disease risk factors scale was created by combining environmental, exposure to toxics during pregnancy and breastfeeding and parental history of allergic diseases. Results: Playing on carpets, male gender, child’s respiratory problems or history of eczema before the  age of 2 years, and humidity significantly increased the odds of allergies in the child. Maternal waterpipe smoking, maternal history of rhinitis, history of asthma in the mother or the father, along with the maternal drug intake or alcohol consumption during pregnancy significantly increased the odds of allergies in the child. There was a significant increase in allergy diseases per category of the allergic disease risk factors scale (p < 0.001 for trend). Scores ≤2.60 best represented control individuals, while scores > 5.31 best represented children with allergic diseases. Conclusion: Allergic diseases seem to be linked to several risk factors in our population of school children. Many environmental factors might be incriminated in these allergic diseases.


2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (8) ◽  
pp. 690-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nevenka Ilic ◽  
Vesna Velickovic ◽  
Dragoljub Djokic ◽  
Nebojsa Rankovic ◽  
Gordana Kostic ◽  
...  

Background/Aim. Atopic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma have had increased prevalence during the past decade and nowadays occur in every third child in developed countries. The aim of the study was to determine frequency and type of atopic diseases at the age of two, as well as the importance the total IgE antibodies concentrations have in diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. Methods. The study involved 175 children up to two years of age. Allergy-like symptoms were found after surveying their parents and pediatric medical records. Using the fluorescence immunossay (FIA) method, total IgE antibodies concentrations and specific IgE antibodies (Phadiatop infant) were determined on an Immunocap 100 Dyagnostic System. Results. One or more allergy-like symptoms accounted for 57.7% of findings in children under the age of two, whilst in 19.4% the existence of IgE-related allergic diseases was found. Atopic diseases usually have clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis (11.4%), IgE-bound wheezing/asthma (10.8%) and food allergies (7.4%), and to much lesser extent those of allergic rhinitis (3.4%) and urticaria (1.7%). The significantly higher total IgE antibodies concentrations were found in children with allergy-like symptoms (p < 0.0005) (cut-off 15.15 kU/L, sensitivity 76.5% specificity 71.6%). Conclusion. Almost 20% of two-year-old children have any of clinically manifested allergic diseases, with atopic dermatitis and IgE wheeze/asthma being predominant. The higher total IgE antibodies concentration is a good marker for sensitization in children with allergy-like symptoms.


Author(s):  
Dilber Ademhan Tural ◽  
Seyit Ahmet Ucakturk ◽  
Hakan Guvenir ◽  
Can Naci Kocabas ◽  
Emine Dibek Misirlioglu

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Allergic and autoimmune diseases are caused by an impaired immunological response resulting from different types of T-helper (Th) cells. Since the Th cell production is in a certain balance, an inverse relationship between the 2 disease groups may exist. In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of allergic diseases in children with autoimmune thyroiditis (AT). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Symptoms of allergic diseases were investigated by the (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) ISAAC questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to a group of 300 children with AT and a control group of 300 children with no known autoimmune disease. The risk factors for allergic diseases and sociodemographic characteristics were investigated. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed with the risk factors of allergic diseases. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Asthma, wheezing during the last year, wheezing with exercise, disease-free night cough, and night cough were significantly less common in patients with AT. Allergic rhinitis symptoms, except physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis, are found significantly less frequently in patients with AT. It was found that the presence of AT and an increase in the number of children in the family reduce the risk of allergic diseases; cat-dog contact before 1 year of age and the presence of asthma, eczema, or allergic rhinitis in the mother increase the risk of allergic diseases. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Asthma and allergic rhinitis symptoms were significantly less common in children with AT. AT reduces the risk of allergic diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-16
Author(s):  
Ayşen Genç Aksoy ◽  
Perran Boran ◽  
Elif Karakoc-Aydiner ◽  
Gulbin Gokcay ◽  
Zeynep Ulker Tamay ◽  
...  

Background: The prevalence of allergic disorders is on the rise, affecting about 10% of the population. In this retrospective cohort, we investigated prevalence of allergic disorders, associated risk factors, and the outcome of food allergies.  Material and methods: We analyzed data from birth cohorts of two university hospitals’ well-child outpatient clinics. Factors related to onset and type of allergic diseases were assessed from demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical data.  Results: Analyses were performed on 949 (431F/518M) infants at a mean current age of 28±6 months. Any allergic disease was established among 177 cases (22%); atopic dermatitis in 123 (12.8%), respiratory allergies in 55 (5.7%), and food allergy in 41 (4.3%). The risk for allergic disorders was found to be significantly increased for male gender (OR: 2.31, 95% CI; 1.54–3.46), and positive parental atopy (OR: 1.94, 95% CI; 1.31–2.86). The risk of food allergies was significantly higher in the male gender (OR: 2.47, 95% CI; 1.21–5.02), who consumed egg-white between 6 and 12 months (OR: 2.34, 95% CI; 1.22–4.48), and who were formula-fed before 6 months (OR: 2.16, 95% CI; 1.14–4.10). We found no significant association between the rate of food allergy outgrowth or food induced-anaphylaxis with regards to the timing of introducing egg-white into the diet.  Conclusions: Although the introduction of egg-white into infant diet at 6–12 months of life appeared as an independent risk for any food allergy, none of the patients developed anaphylaxis. Age at symptom onset and outgrowing food allergy were similar compared to those introduced egg-white after 12 months. We recommend promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life, and avoidance of prolonged restrictive diets for children with food allergy.   


2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 74-80
Author(s):  
O V Aak ◽  
A V Sobolev

Background. To identify differences in sensitization to widespread allergens in patients with common allergic diseases: allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, angioedema, allergic urticaria and atopic dermatitis. Materials and methods. Determination of sIgE in serum using commercial and domestic reagent kits («AllergoI-FA-specific IgE» and biotinylated allergens of «Alcor Bio», St. Petersburg) was conducted in patients with allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, angioedema, allergic urticaria and atopic dermatitis. Results. There was a significant similarity between the spectrum of sensitization in patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma In atopic dermatitis patients the increasing of frequency of food and especially mold sensitization was estimated. The high degree of correlation between the moulds, plants and food allergens in atopic dermatitis was observed. Conclusion. The results obtained in the study can be interesting for physicians in allergological examination and for the researchers to identify new cross-reactive allergens.


2006 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miloš Jeseňák ◽  
Peter Bánovčin

Atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) is one of the most common chronic allergic diseases in children. Among the allergens found to be relevant in AEDS, aeroallergens and food allergens are the most important. The exposure of these patients to their relevant protein allergens can trigger an exacerbation or maintain the disease. AEDS is frequently associated with food allergy, which complicates the management in approximately 40% of these children. Atopy patch test (APT) can help in detecting food allergies in children with AEDS. The earliest publication on patch testing in eczema was described in 1937 by Rostenberg, but the first controlled clinical trial was provided by Mitchell in 1982. APT with food allergens were introduced into clinical use in 1996 by the group of Isolauri. APT test is performed epicutaneously with typical immediate-type allergens (aeroallergens or foods). As a number of apparently minor test modifications greatly influence the sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of the APT, the European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis (ETFAD) has developed a standardized APT technique. APT has developed into a valuable additional tool in the diagnostic work-up of food allergy in infants and children with atopic dermatitis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-144
Author(s):  
Nikolay K. Balgaranov ◽  
Lachezar S. Nikolov ◽  
Nadia I. Kolarova-Yaneva ◽  
Vania N. Nedkova ◽  
Kristina Ts. Tabakova ◽  
...  

Summary Asthma and allergic rhinitis are common in childhood. Establishing sensitization to aeroallergens is crucial to effectively prevent exacerbation of these respiratory allergic diseases. The study aimed to evaluate sensitization to the most common aeroallergens in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis.We establishedacorrelation between patients sensitized to indoor, outdoor and simultaneously to both allergens. The study population consisted of 276 patients (168 boys and 108 girls) ages 4 to 16 years with asthma (A) and allergic rhinitis (AR). Skin prick tests were performed with 21 commercial allergen extracts: pollens, mites, epithelia and insects, and molds. We found that 217 patients were sensitized to at least one aeroallergen: 117 patients hadapositive result to mites, 92 to pollens, 72 to epithelia and insects, and 63 - to mold allergens. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was the most prevalent aeroallergen. Sensitized only to indoor allergens were 104 patients, 60 - only to outdoor allergens, and 53 were sensitized to both. Mites were the most frequent aeroallergens in children with Aand AR. Lately there has been foundasignificant increase in rates of sensitization to mold allergens, especially to Alternaria alternata. Our study has confirmed the dominant role of indoor allergens in children with respiratory allergic diseases.


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