TY - JOUR

T1 - The prevalence of skin-test-positive allergic rhinitis in Danish adults

T2 - two cross-sectional surveys 8 years apart. The Copenhagen Allergy Study

AU - Linneberg, A

AU - Jørgensen, T

AU - Nielsen, N H

AU - Madsen, F

AU - Frølund, L

AU - Dirksen, A

PY - 2000/8

Y1 - 2000/8

N2 - BACKGROUND: It is disputed whether increases in self-reported respiratory allergy represent a true increase or merely increased recognition. We aimed to investigate whether the prevalence of skin-prick-test (SPT)-positive allergic rhinitis had increased in an adult general population in Copenhagen, Denmark.METHODS: Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out in 1990 and 1998. A screening questionnaire on respiratory symptoms in random samples of 15-41-year-olds preceded both surveys. Among the responders, random samples were invited to a health examination including SPT. Totals of 312 (participation rate 74.6%) and 482 (participation rate 53.4%) subjects were examined in 1990 and 1998, respectively. Diagnoses of SPT-positive allergic rhinitis were based on a history of nasal symptoms on exposure to allergens and SPT positivity to allergens.RESULTS: The prevalence of a diagnosis of SPT-positive allergic rhinitis increased from 12.9% to 22.5% (adjusted odds ratio 1.94, 95% CI 1.30-2.90), whereas the prevalence of a positive SPT (allergen histamine wheal ratio > or = 0.5) to one or more of 10 allergens increased from 27.7% to 33.9% (adjusted odds ratio 1.47, 95% CI 1.05-2.05).CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SPT-positive allergic rhinitis has increased significantly. Our findings indicate that a true increase in respiratory allergy has occurred.

AB - BACKGROUND: It is disputed whether increases in self-reported respiratory allergy represent a true increase or merely increased recognition. We aimed to investigate whether the prevalence of skin-prick-test (SPT)-positive allergic rhinitis had increased in an adult general population in Copenhagen, Denmark.METHODS: Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out in 1990 and 1998. A screening questionnaire on respiratory symptoms in random samples of 15-41-year-olds preceded both surveys. Among the responders, random samples were invited to a health examination including SPT. Totals of 312 (participation rate 74.6%) and 482 (participation rate 53.4%) subjects were examined in 1990 and 1998, respectively. Diagnoses of SPT-positive allergic rhinitis were based on a history of nasal symptoms on exposure to allergens and SPT positivity to allergens.RESULTS: The prevalence of a diagnosis of SPT-positive allergic rhinitis increased from 12.9% to 22.5% (adjusted odds ratio 1.94, 95% CI 1.30-2.90), whereas the prevalence of a positive SPT (allergen histamine wheal ratio > or = 0.5) to one or more of 10 allergens increased from 27.7% to 33.9% (adjusted odds ratio 1.47, 95% CI 1.05-2.05).CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SPT-positive allergic rhinitis has increased significantly. Our findings indicate that a true increase in respiratory allergy has occurred.

KW - Adult

KW - Allergens

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Denmark

KW - Humans

KW - Prevalence

KW - Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial

KW - Skin Tests

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

KW - Clinical Trial

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 10955704

VL - 55

SP - 767

EP - 772

JO - Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

JF - Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

SN - 0105-4538

IS - 8

ER -