Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema, and sensitization in two areas with differing climates.
Abstract: In this 5-year follow-up study we compared the prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema, and sensitization, in relation to several background factors, in two Swedish regions (Göteborg and Kiruna). In Göteborg, a city on the southwest coast, the climate is mild and humid. Kiruna is a town north of the Arctic Circle. Questionnaire replies and results of interviews were collected from all 412 7-8-year-old children of a population-based sample (203 in Göteborg and 209 in Kiruna); in addition, 192 children from Göteborg and 205 from Kiruna were skin-prick tested for sensitization to common aero-allergens. After 5 years, at 12-13 years of age, almost all of the initial study cohort were re-investigated. At follow-up the prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was 17%, eczema 23%, and sensitization 32%. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema were as common in Göteborg as in Kiruna, whereas sensitization was far more common in Kiruna. Children born during the pollen season had allergic rhinoconjunctivitis less often -- and were sensitized to pollen and animal protein less often -- than those born during the rest of the year. Sensitization to birch pollen, cat protein, and horse protein was less common in children living in Göteborg, the region with the highest frequency of cat ownership and horseback riding, and with the longest birch-pollen season. The girls were more commonly horseback riders but the boys were more often sensitized to horses. The results reinforce our previous findings: indoor climate may affect the development of sensitization and allergic diseases, to some extent independently; and if exposure to antigen is unavoidable, high doses might be better than low doses.
Publication Date: 2001-09-14 PubMed ID: 11555318DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-3038.2001.012004208.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research paper investigates the prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema, and sensitization in two different geographical regions in Sweden, revealing that location and regional factors such as climate might influence the development and prevalence of these conditions.
Research Context and Methodology
- The research is a 5-year follow-up study conducted in two Swedish regions with differing climates: Göteborg, a city on the southwest coast with a mild and humid climate, and Kiruna, a town situated north of the Arctic Circle.
- Researchers gathered information through questionnaires and one-on-one interviews from a total of 412 children aged 7-8 years (203 kids in Göteborg and 209 in Kiruna).
- In addition, almost 400 children (192 from Göteborg and 205 from Kiruna) underwent a skin-prick test to determine sensitization to common aero-allergens.
- After 5 years, researchers re-investigated nearly the entire initial study group, now aged 12-13 years.
Major Findings
- The study found that the prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was 17%, eczema 23%, and sensitization 32%.
- Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema were equally common in both Göteborg and Kiruna, but sensitization was significantly more common in Kiruna.
- Children born during the pollen season demonstrated lower rates of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and were less frequently sensitized to pollen and animal protein compared to children born in other seasons of the year.
- Less sensitization to birch pollen, cat protein, and horse protein was observed among children in Göteborg, a region with the highest rates of cat ownership and horseback riding, as well as the longest birch-pollen season.
- While typically more girls rode horses, it was the boys who showed higher sensitization to horses.
Conclusions
- The research outcomes fortify earlier findings that indoor climate and regional factors can partly influence the development of sensitization and allergic diseases independently.
- When it’s impossible to avoid exposure to an antigen, high-dose exposure might be better than a low-dose one, although this conclusion would likely need to be researched further.
Cite This Article
APA
Hesselmar B, Aberg B, Eriksson B, Aberg N.
(2001).
Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema, and sensitization in two areas with differing climates.
Pediatr Allergy Immunol, 12(4), 208-215.
https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1399-3038.2001.012004208.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Göteborg, Sweden. bill.hesselmar@medfak.gu.se
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Allergens / immunology
- Asthma / epidemiology
- Child
- Climate
- Conjunctivitis, Allergic / epidemiology
- Eczema / epidemiology
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Male
- Prevalence
- Rhinitis / epidemiology
- Sweden / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Ahmed A, Hakim A, Becker A. Evaluation of eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergies among the Grade-1 children of Iqaluit. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 2018;14:9.
- Feng Y, Wang X, Wang F, Liu R, Chen L, Wu S, Yang X, Chen M, Rao YQ, Li J. The Prevalence of Ocular Allergy and Comorbidities in Chinese School Children in Shanghai. Biomed Res Int 2017;2017:7190987.
- Michailopoulos P, Almaliotis D, Georgiadou I, Papakosta D, Gougoulias K, Giouleka P, Gioulekas D, Siempis T, Karampatakis V. Allergic Conjunctivitis in Patients with Respiratory Allergic Symptoms; a Retrospective Study in Greece. Med Hypothesis Discov Innov Ophthalmol 2017 Spring;6(1):3-9.
- Cibella F, Ferrante G, Cuttitta G, Bucchieri S, Melis MR, La Grutta S, Viegi G. The burden of rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis in adolescents. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res 2015 Jan;7(1):44-50.
- Kim HY, Kwon EB, Baek JH, Shin YH, Yum HY, Jee HM, Yoon JW, Han MY. Prevalence and comorbidity of allergic diseases in preschool children. Korean J Pediatr 2013 Aug;56(8):338-42.
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- Ezinne NE, Cheklie T, Coward J, Clarke C, Clopton D, Colthrust A, Constantine D, Cordner A, Dabiedeen R, Dalsou P. Prevalence of ocular allergy among adults in Trinidad and Tobago: A cross-sectional study. Int Ophthalmol 2025 Jun 9;45(1):235.
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